Much of Spain enjoys 3,000 hours of sunshine a year, double that of the UK. All that extra sunshine calls for outdoors time. That could be taking a dip in the Med, hiking up a mountain or… just making the most of your outdoor space. Lounging in a hammock, reading a book, or teaching the kids how to swim. Sally has lived in Spain for nearly twenty years. Here, she shares her tips for hosting a brilliant outdoor dinner.
Tips for hosting a dreamy Spanish dinner party!
I moved into a new apartment at the end of March. Though smaller internally, I now have a large garden with magnolia, fir, lemon and orange trees which provide a shady spot for outside dining. Apart from the joy of gardening, just looking out onto masses of green foliage is a delight. Plumbago, brugmansia and Oleander give spots of colour and welcome butterflies, and other insects whereas numerous birds use the trees.
It’s like having another large room in which to entertain friends and neighbours. I have just begun to invite people for lunch as the weather has picked up considerably here in northeast Spain and is now the perfect temperature.
I did manage a couple of lunches outside in April too and expect to host my friends from now on well into October for lunch and dinner when the evenings are a little cooler.
The great joy is knowing that you can plan ahead (always with a watchful eye on the local weather forecast). Eating outside in Spain offers so many opportunities from barbeques to salads made with pulses and incorporating great Spanish hams.
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Bond with neighbours (don’t forget chocolate)
Indulge the sweet tooth in your menu!
Another good reason to use your outside space in Spain is to get to know your neighbours better. The Spanish are very friendly but sometimes it’s difficult to break the ice and get invited to their homes. Why not make the first move and invite them into your garden or to your terrace for a pica pica, lots of snacky items and a good cava or wine? Cold meats, especially a good ham will always go down well, cheese, smoked salmon, plenty of good quality bread from a bakery and you’re all set for a fun evening with your neighbours. There’s no need to impress, just use quality local ingredients and wine.
Once they have been to your home, they will feel happy to invite you back to theirs in which case take along a bottle of good wine or some quality chocolates (the Spanish generally have a sweet tooth).
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Sunshine and sangria: dining outside in the spring & summer
Unless you have a lot of shade, aim for evening meals as the days become warmer. Timing varies on where you live in my area somewhere between 8 pm and 9.30 pm is a good time to start but further south you might want to delay the meal a further 30 to 60 minutes.
Also, watch the wind direction when planning a barbecue as your neighbours won’t thank you for sending a charcoal breeze into their homes. You should check what the rules are for barbeques if you live in an apartment block or other community as in certain cases they are forbidden.
Spanish time: when fifteen minutes late is right on schedule
If you are hosting Spanish friends or neighbours, remember that they are used to eating later than northern Europeans or the British and it is likely that they won’t arrive exactly on the time prescribed or earlier. Time is flexible here and it’s quite normal for people to aim for a time 15 to 20 minutes later than stated. If you are cooking something that requires careful timing, please bear this in mind. If, on the other hand, you are going for a barbecue, start it off a quarter of an hour later than you think.
The joys of sharing a nibble
Tuck in!
Spain is the land of tapas! Plenty of small delights shared amongst friends are part of the pleasure of eating in Spain. Consider this when planning a menu for your outside dinners. Make a lot of smaller dishes as people will only take a small amount providing there are plenty of different choices. By the way, this is also true of food in Asia and as the Spanish really like sushi and other Japanese or Asian recipes, why not include a couple when preparing your dinner outside? Just a word of warning though, the Spanish, mainly in the middle to the north of the country don’t enjoy very spicy hot food, so don’t make a vindaloo curry!
In my experience of 18 years here in Spain, the locals are happy to try new flavours and culinary ideas. It’s just that you might need to adapt them to local tastes. I recently made a Korean meal for Spanish friends and used Gochujang (very hot Korean chilli sauce but just a teaspoonful where the recipe demands two tablespoons). They ate it all, so it can’t have been too spicy for them.
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Your list of must-haves for outside dining
A table and chairs. Benches are uncomfortable, so try to avoid them. Washable seat cushions make for thoughtful seating, a stain-resistant table cloth, available online or washable place mats that might tone with the seat cushions. Perhaps avoid plastic tableware which is better used for picnics and opt for unbreakable bamboo which is also better for the environment. Nowadays you can find interesting bamboo plates, even cutlery which will brighten up your outside dining table. Buy cheap wine glasses so if they get broken, they are easily replaced. If there are children, again bamboo will come to the rescue and are almost indestructible.
Planchas vs. barbeques
Many people choose planchas over barbecues as it is a healthier way of cooking, so if you plan to eat outside a lot, consider investing in one. You can find both gas and electric planchas in Spain. Its essentially a flat top griddle that combines high temperatures with a little smoke for delicious cooking.
Socialising outside for several months is good for the soul. Enjoy getting to know your neighbours and other locals. Your friends will appreciate your efforts while eating in the open air and your outside space will become an extra room in your home.
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