Restaurant: Tortilla de Patatas!

Tortilla de Patata

(Served in a small restaurant in Granada, Spain)

When I first arrived in Barcelona, everyone kept telling me I needed to try the tortilla de patata. I had no idea what they were talking about, because I've never heard of it before, so I just kept blowing the idea off. However, after being here a few weeks, I learned that it's a very typical and delicious Spanish dish. At that point, I figured I needed to try one. During a visit in Granada, we went to a local restaurant, and I finally tried one, and it was delicious! I sort of had an idea as to what to expect, but it far exceeded my expectations. It was delicious, and probably one of my favorite Spanish dishes so far! This is definitely a recipe I will take home to my family and friends.

Recipe:

Ingredients:

6 peeled potatoes

1 whole yellow onion

5 large eggs

Olive Oil

Salt

Green/Red Pepper

Preparation:

Cut the potatoes in half (long ways). Then with the flat part on the cutting board, cut the potatoes into slices. Then cut the onion into small pieces. Mix the potatoes, peppers, and onions together.

Heat olive oil on a medium setting and add potatoes and onions the the oil (enough oil to nearly cover the mixture.) Then let the potatoes cook until soft. Once cooked, remove potatoes, peppers, and onions from frying pan with a spatula. Set on paper towel to remove some oil.

In large bowl, whisk 5 large eggs together, then add the potato mixture and mix together. 

Place 1 tablespoon of olive oil in frying pan and heat on medium heat. Once hot enough, add the potato and egg mixture. Cook until the bottom is slightly browned. Once browned, flip the tortilla over, and let the other side cook until lightly browned.

Hope you enjoy your delicious tortilla de patata! :)

Local News: Allegations Against FC Barcelona

Picture taken by Jenna Hrubes

January 16, 2011

Barcelona vs. Malaga

Article taken directly from : http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/894089/barcelona-consider-legal-action-over-doping-claims?cc=5739

"Barcelona are considering legal action after a Spanish radio station made allegations "which link the club to doping practices".

Barca issued a strongly-worded statement on Monday denying claims made by Cadena Cope and are in consultation with lawyers over their next course of action.

A statement released on the club's official website read: "In response to the grave insinuations broadcast on Sunday night on the Cadena Cope radio station, FC Barcelona wishes to publicly express its total indignation at these unfounded references which link the club to doping practices and to condemn such attitudes, which have nothing to do with fair play and gravely affect the image of sporting competition.

"FC Barcelona is demanding an immediate rectification and wishes to let it be known that its legal department is studying possible legal action to defend the club's honour, alongside that of its coaching staff, players and medical staff and is prepared to take such action to its final consequences.""

My opinion regarding the article:

I believe these are serious accusations made against FC Barcelona. There are rumors that the president of Real Madrid is behind these allegations. In my Sports and Society class, we discussed this matter in detail. Many students (including myself) believe this could be a conspiracy against Barcelona. These accusations are coming out before the biggest games of the year, and Real Madrid could possibly be trying to get into the heads of FC Barca's players and coaches and psyche them out.  I don't believe these accusations could be real, because 8 players played for the Spanish National Team in 2010. These 8 players were drug tested for this team, and passed with flying colors. So why would the players use doping practices now? To me, it doesn't make sense. The players have played together for so long, and have succeeded for years now. So I believe these allegations are false, and a conspiracy to psyche the team out before the final rounds of football begin.

Restaurant: Paella!

Recipe (varies):

1/2 Teaspoon of olive oil

1 teaspoon of spices (oregano, paprika, garlic, crushed pepper, or whatever spice you choose)

Pinch of salt and black pepper

Skinless chicken, shrimp, pork, or whatever meat you choose

Mix ingredients together, and let marinate overnight

Rice:

• 1.5  teaspoons olive oil
• Thinly sliced garlic clove
• 1/4 teaspoon crushed pepper
• 1/2 cup uncooked short-grain white rice
• 1 cup chicken stock
• 1/2 zested lemon
• Heat olive oil in pan, and stir in ingredients listed above for "Rice."
• Bring to a boil, then place lid over pan, turn heat on low, and let simmer for 20 minutes.

Paella:

Cook marinated chicken (or whatever meat you choose) in skillet with peppers, onions, mushrooms or whatever vegetable you choose.

Cook until meat is cooked. (5 minutes)

Finally, spread rice on a plate (or bowl) and top with meat and vegetables.

Wal-lah, you've created Paella!

Field Trip #3: Medieval Barcelona to the industrial city

During our field study through the El Born area of Barcelona, we learned a little bit about the Medieval period in Barcelona. During the Middle Ages the Born area was one of the wealthier neighborhoods in Barcelona. Many of the buildings in this area were built around the 13-15th centuries. In that time period, you could determine the wealth of a person by looking at their home. For example, if a person added a balcony to their floor, people knew they were doing well. By looking at the photo below, each floor has a small balcony. In the middle ages, this would partially signify the wealth of the family. 

Other factors also helped signify the wealth of a person, such as shoes and mirrors. People got paid once a year with shoes. The nicer his/her shoes, the better of he/she was. Mirrors also represented wealth. During that period, mirrors were very expensive, and very few people owned them. But those who did were considered wealthy.

Buildings, like the one above, can tell us a lot about different time periods. For example, the person who lived on the first floor (principal) was usually the owner. The person who lived on the second floor was usually the owners "right hand man." When the buildings were built, they were built with numerous floors. The floors also represented the social classes. The higher up you lived, the less money you had. Nowadays, it's the total opposite. The wealthiest people want to live in the penthouse!

Below is a picture of one of the oldest guilds in Barcelona. The guilds at this location work with iron.

During the middle ages, guilds were very important and powerful people. They were considered the trade unions during the middle ages. They also had political power, because they were represented in the Consell de Cent, which was the City Council of Barcelona in the middle ages. The guilds had power, because they represented the people who weren't represented by the Catalan Corts, such as peasants and lower class people.

The picture to the right is Plaça de la Llana. This street was very important during the middle ages and even today. The idea of the stock market was created here. The price of wool was determined here. The people who were trying to sell or buy wool would come here to find out the real price of wool, so they could determine if they were getting the correct price.

This is a picture of the actual stock market. People would come here with a boat full of products and ask what their good was selling for. They were also able to exchange their currency here and pay their taxes here. Some people paid more money in taxes depending what country they were coming from.

Field Trip #2: The Raval area and Shipyards

When beginning our field study, we went to the Raval area. This picture below shows an image of the entire city reflected on the glass building. Not very many tourists know about this building, but it truly is a site to see. When the sun reflects on the building, the image is even more pronounce. It's  amazing that an architecture designed a building where you can see the entire city of Barcelona at one time.

During our field study to the Royal Shipyards, we passed through several other areas of Barcelona; one area being the site of Antoni Gaudi's death.He was hit by a tram at the corner of  Carrer de Bailén and the Gran Vía. He was dressed like a poor man, so people didn't recognize him and taxi drivers refused to take him to the hospital because they didn't think he could pay the cab fare. A few days later, he died. Gaudi's life has helped shape Catalan Culture and the way people perceive it. He created numerous works of art in the city of Barcelona. When visitors come to Barcelona, they want to see Gaudi's work, such as Parc Güell and Sagrada Familia, which both represent the importance of catalan culture during the modernisme period. His work is also displayed throughout the entire city of Barcelona on the façades of homes and buildinds. Below is a picture of a plaque, where Gaudi's death occurred.

After our trip through the Raval area, we made it to the Royal Shipyards of Barcelona, which are a huge importance to Barcelona culture. The shipyards enabled the largest expansion of Barcelona. The shipyards were very important during the Crown of Aragon. Ships were built, repaired, and maintained in the shipyards. The shipyards also opened up ports that enabled trade with other Meditteranean cultures. During periods of war, growth, and trade, the shipyards allowed for one of the biggest expansions in the Catalan community.

Field Trip: The Romans

Who would have thought that the Romans living thousands of years ago would have created the stepping-stone for life, as we know it today? Dating back to 600 AD, the Romans created many infrastructure systems that we still use today. However, the Roman infrastructure systems have been more modernized today. A few things that really stood out to me, in the Roman times, were the water aqueducts, sewage systems, and heating system.

Here is an example of the Roman sewage system, which collected the sewage and was later emptied into the Meditteranean. It is believed the Romans created the sewage and aqueduct systems to prevent people from illnesses.

The Romans also invented ways to prolong their food. One of their creations was garum, which was a type of fish sauce that was used on many different types of foods. One of the best things about Garum was its storability. The romans stored the garum in containers and it was able to last long periods of time.

Here is an example of the Dolia, which is a large ceramic basin  used to prepare and store the garum.

Not only did the Romans leave actual remains of their city, they left many small artifacts, too. These include: perfume bottles, tweezers, jewelry, coins, ceramic tiles, clothes dye, laundry detergent ingredients, etc.. The intelligence of the Romans makes me wander if we really have advanced a considerable amount? Or have we just taken their ideas and reinvented them for more practical use?

Here is an image of some jewelry remains left by the Romans.

After visiting the museum, it was easier to relate the Roman's impact on Catalan Culture. For example, the architecture the Romans left in Barcelona is vividly seen from the streets, aqueducts, sewage systems, heating systems, etc.. Also, it's easy to see the impact the Roman's left on the language and religion, here in Barcelona, from their discovered underground city. By seeing this city, I saw firsthand how powerful the Roman's must have been.