Marco Polo Plaza Cebu regularly dishes out themed celebrations for its guests, local and foreign alike. And its that time of the year again! This July, Marco Polo Plaza takes us to another culinary journey, this time to beautiful and romantic Spain.
Hola! Marco Polo Plaza’s much-loved culinary journey – Sabores de España — is back! The Spanish food festival showcases once more the very best that Spain has to offer.
Spain, one of the cultural centers in Europe, is not only well-known for its extraordinary artistic heritage, flamenco music & dance and even bullfights, but also for its undeniably savory cuisine. Spain’s distinctive cuisine brings together unique regional dishes, special ingredients and long-standing influences from Moorish and Arab settlers. Many dishes are prepared today using the same cooking methods and ingredients as they were two or three hundred years ago. With the Philippines being a former colony of Spain, generations of Filipinos have a fondness for Spanish food.
Centuries of Spanish colonization has undeniably influenced our very own Philippine Cuisine. The food of the Philippines reflects on the adaptation of Spanish cuisine. Food historians claim that 80 percent of Philippine dishes are of Spanish origin. Wow! Because the Spaniards formed the elite, dishes adapted by upper-class Filipinos were also Spanish-inspired. Thus many of the party and fiesta dishes and those served for special occasions bear names like relleno, morcon, paella, callos, embutido, caldereta, etc.
For Sabores de España’s 6th installment, Ms. Gema Luisa Pido, Cebu’s foremost authority on Spanish culinary tradition, is cooking up a storm with Marco Polo Plaza Cebu’s creative chefs, to serve a delicious selection of authentic Spanish cuisine at the Café Marco. Start with appetizers such as Croquetas de Pollo y Jamon (Chicken and Ham Croquettas), Aceitunas y Queso Manchego en Vinagreta (Olives and Manchego Cheese in Vinaigrette), and Cochifrito (Golden Fried Marinated Lamb Pieces). Follow it with the main course like Pescado en Salsa Verde, Paella Valenciana, Callos a la Madrileña and Pollo Chilindron. Plus, a portion from the carving station such as House Cured Jamon en Dulce and Beef Mechado with White Wine Sauce. Finally, linger on a dessert selection of Bizcocho Borracho, Canonigo, Leche Frita with Blueberry Sauce and more!
Check out SOME of the featured dishes at Sabores de España 2013:
Potato Omelet, the most commonly served dish in Spain.
Pollo Chilindro’n, a classic Spanish recipe for chicken.
Pescado en Salsa Verde, literally fish in green sauce.
The famous Paella Valenciana, (Paella of Valencia, Spain) enriched with chicken, chorizo, jamon serrano and shrimp.
Menestra, the dish children love to hate and adults love to eat, a mixture of vegetables.
My personal favorite, Mechado del Campo.
Deep Fried Green Chilies, one of the popular Spanish tapas recipes, is a common late-summer treat all over Spain.
Croquetas de Pollo y Jamo’n, creamy and smooth fried Spanish croquettes with chicken ham and eggs.
Callos a la Madrileña, tripe in English, is the edible lining in the stomachs of cows and pigs. Doesn’t sound too appetizing, eh? But it is a very hearty dish from Madrid that has become a Pinoy favorite!
Calamares con Ajos y Pimento’n, another popular appetizer or “tapa”.
Turrón de Alicante, moist and chewy Nougat with Marcona Almonds.
Churros, traditional Spanish “doughnut” with chocolate dip for dunking.
Monte Carlo, the classic cream biscuit.
Flan de Naranja, or orange flan is a variation of the traditional Spanish flan, topped with caramel sauce. This variation is lighter but has an underlying orange flavor.
And although this isn’t part of the Culinary Journey, we just had to give in to….
…everyone’s favorite Malicious Cookies. Malicious, because it is so delicious, its only intention is to let you crave for more…
So what are you waiting for? You still have until Sunday, July 14, to experience Sabores de España only at Cafe Marco at the Marco Polo Plaza Cebu!
*The Spanish Food Festival lunch and dinner buffet runs from July 3 to July 14 at Cafe Marco. For rates, reservations and other inquiries, you may call (032) 253 1111 loc. 8353. For more information about Marco Polo Plaza Cebu and other promotions, log-on to www.marcopoloplazacebu.com