Artichokes with Cured Ham and Vegetables

We’re going to cook a very easy tapa recipe with a good content of vegetables, which contrast with the ham. This dish you can serve as a starter or tapa, and get to surprise your guests, as it is not very usual recipe.

ARTICHOKES WITH CURED HAM AND VEGETABLES

Photo www.elmundoiberico.com

Ingredients:

• 1 kg artichoke
• 4 slices ofHam from Teruel PDO Antonio Mata
• 1 onion
• 2 cloves of garlic
• 2 carrots
• Mushrooms
• ExtraVirgin Olive Oil
• Salt
• 1/2 cup white wine
• 1 lemon

Preparation:

The first thing is to clean the artichokes: remove the leaves and cut the stem, so that we have left only the heart of the artichoke. Boil for about 15 minutes in water with some salt and a splash of lemon (it’s important they take this lemon flavour). When it’s ready, drain and reserve.

Chop an onion, garlic, carrots and mushrooms (in quite small dices). Put everything in a pan with olive oil and fry. Cut the cured ham slices into smaller pieces, or strips, and add to the pan (do not wait more than a minute, the ham is fried very fast). Add the artichoke hearts, half a glass of white wine and half water. We let him do a little and when hearts are slightly golden, is that you're all set.

To serve, put the artichoke hearts and make a little hole in the middle. Fill with vegetables and cured ham. We can add the liquid or sauce remaining in the pan, this will have much flavour.

Recipe based on http://www.elmundoiberico.com/content/7-recetas-con-jamon-iberico-entrantes-primeros-platos-tapas#Canapes1

Tile of Cream Patamulo Cheese with Crispy Ham from Teruel

Today we will make a recipe using two of the most typical products of Aragon, specifically in the province of Teruel. Patamulo Cheese from Bajo Aragon has its heart in places like the small village of Samper de Calanda. It has a nice texture, and very distinguished tastes that is easily identified. Made by the traditional way, its curing process is from 2 to 4 months. And the Ham fromTeruel PDO is definitely the star of the products of the province, and a pride for all Aragonese and Spanish. Followers of this blog and Antonio Mata perfectly know the virtues of this excellent cured ham. Let's see how to prepare an appetizer that is a perfect combination of cheese and ham:

TILE OF CREAM PATAMULO CHEESE WITH CRISPY HAM FROM TERUEL

Photo www.elmundoiberico.com

Ingredientes:

• Ham from Teruel PDO by Antonio Mata
• 250 grams Patamulo Cheese
• Pedro Ximénez Reduction
• 2 egg whites
• 20 gr. sifted flour
• 20 gr. butter cream point
• Milk
• Cream
• Butter
• 1 pinch of salt
• Black pepper

Preparation:

To make the cream cheese Patamulo, heat it over high heat 150 ml of milk and 150 ml of cream and butter. Season with salt and black pepper. When very hot add the cheese Patamulo (previously diced) and we will remove constantly until melted. Tip, if it is too runny, let's take a little cornstarch to thicken.

To make the tiles: Preheat oven to 180 º C. Whisk the egg whites until stiff and mix hard with butter and flour until a smooth dough. Put baking paper on a tray and make mounds with the dough. They should be round and we have to crush them flat. We'll leave in the oven for about 10 minutes until golden and then remove and let cool. Meanwhile, in another pan put 3 slices of Ham from Teruel PDO by AntonioMata. We'll leave them until the texture is crunchy. Surely the ham will take longer than the tiles.

Once made the ham, chop it and mix well with the cream cheese Patamulo. To serve, we will make a ball of cream cheese and ham on each tile and add a little ham over each ball. We can add a dash of Pedro Ximénez reduction.

And that's it. This is a dish that you shall be as great chefs before your guests but not a very complicated processing. We hope you feel encouraged to try at home.

See you next Friday with more recipes and tapas!

Recipe from http://www.elmundoiberico.com/content/7-recetas-con-jamon-iberico-entrantes-primeros-platos-tapas#Canapes1

Video: Spanish Cured Ham from Teruel, features and method of manufacture

We know you are really fans of our delicious Cured Ham by Antonio Mata, but do you know how is made? how is better than others? why its flavour is so smooth and tasty?

The Regulatory Council of Ham from Teruel marks very demanding production standards, seeking to keep and improve de highest quality in Spain. Ham from Teruel is an special cured ham, like no equal. Appetizing color and superb flavor.

Find out how we made the best Cured Ham in the world with this video from our YouTube Channel!!

Cured ham and Brie cheese croquettes

Today we propose a recipe that requires some work and preparation, especially for the bechamel. But don’t alarm, the result is superb: Spanish Cured Ham and Briecheese croquettes.

Ingredients:

• SpanishCured Ham from Teruel by Antonio Mata
• Brie cheese
• 1 egg
• Breadcrumbs
• Flour
• Milk
• Butter
• ExtraVirgin Olive Oil

Preparation:

We take a stream of Olive Oil and two dices of butter in a terracotta casserole and wait to melt. Cut the Spanish Cured Ham into small pieces or chunks and add to the casserole. Tip: Cured Ham is fried very quickly, so have it half or a minute.

Add 3 or 4 tablespoon of flour and stir for binding with butter. Then we pouring milk slowly, don’t stop to stir, this is very important. Also add the diced Brie and continue stirring until dissolve them. Add salt. The bechamel has to be quite thick. Let cool in the fridge.

When mix is hard, we shape the croquettes. Cover them with egg and breadcrumbs and fry in a pan with abundant hot olive oil.

And that’s it, now I am enjoying this delicacy. Feel sure that will repeat this recipe, because will love it at home, especially because of the Spanish Cured Ham that will give a special flavor.

Serrano ham and smoked salmon salad

We back again with another very cool and perfect recipe to beat the heat of the summer. In this case we make a simple salad, but very tasty, as a starter: Serrano Ham and smoked salmon salad.

Ingredients: 

• 200 gr. Hand carved Ham from Teruel 
• 200 gr. sliced smoked salmon
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• Sliced rings of red pepper
• Sliced cucumber
• Mixed salad leaves

Preparation: 
Arrange salad leaves in a plate or a tray. Cut the Ham from Teruel slices into medium size pieces (5 or 6 cm.). Add red pepper, cut into chunks, and then place a few more slices of ham and some cucumber slices. Rool up the salmon slices and place on top. Drizzle generously with Extra Virgin Olive Oil and salt.  

Que aproveche! See you next tuesday!

via orceserranohams.com

New hand carved Spanish Ham from Teruel PDO and Iberico Ham by Antonio Mata

We are pleased to announce a new product in our Antonio Mata stores and online store www.antoniomata.com. It's a very special product for us:

Hand carved Spanish Ham, our loved and recognized Ham from Teruel PDO by Antonio Mata carved by the best master carver in Spain, Miguel Angel Abril. As you know, ham taste better when is properly sliced.

Also, we have done the same with our delicious Acorn-fed Iberico Ham by Antonio Mata, sliced by Miguel Angel Abril as well.

You can find 3 different weights: 80 gr., 90 gr. and 100 gr. trays. Always in a vacuum packaging, for a better preservation.

These hand carved Spanish Jamon trays are perfect for events, parties, restaurants, etc. You will impress your guests surely. Also is really easy to serve, so you only have to open the pack and enjoy the best ham from Spain. Serrano from Teruel or Iberico, Antonio Mata always offers you the best gourmet products in our stores and www.antoniomata.com.  

The Hand-carved ham trays will be available at our stores and on www.antoniomata.com really soon. We'll keep you informed!!

¡Que aproveche!

Three quick Spanish ham tapas recipes for frenzied moments

Tapas are to be quick in fact. Today we want to inspire you to cook three quick and easy tapas recipes. Tapas are something different that could help you to impress your friends and guests, even more with Spanish ham. These tapas can take no more than 15 minutes to be cooked and served, so is a perfect option when we don’t have enough time to cook.

THE FANTASTIC AND SIMPLY SPANISH HAM TAPA

In Spain we usually start special dinners or events with a plate of hand-sliced jamon. Normally accompany with other traditional foods: chorizo or spicy sausage, cheese… This recipe is really easy: buy some hand-sliced Spanish ham and decorate a plate like a star (see photo). Do the same with chorizo and cheese. What kind of cheese? We recommend Spanish Zamorano ‘Pago Los Vivales’ Curado. Perfect partners.

THE TASTY TOASTED BREAD SLICES TOPPED WITH SERRANO HAM

• Slices of Jamon from Teruel PDO Casa Mata
• Fresh white bread sliced on the diagonal
• Tasty ExtraVirgin Olive Oil (the more the better)
• 1 clove garlic, in half
• 1 very ripe tomato

First of all toast bread slices, and rub each slice with garlic and then with fresh tomato, being generous with the amount on each slice. Spinkle with salt (not too much, ham is already so salad). Then a trickle of extra virgin olive oil (we recommend ‘Castillo de Canena’) and a thin slice of our delicious Spanish ham in the top.

THE REALLY DELICIOUS AND SPECIAL FLAVOURED GRILLED SERRANO AND MANCHEGO

• Fresh white bread sliced on the diagonal
• Slices of Jamon from Teruel PDO Casa Mata
• ManchegoSheep Curado cheese (can use Brie if you like)
• ExtraVirgin Olive Oil >K Canetera 
• Balsamic reduction
• Chopped clove garlic

Toast the bread and spread with balsamic reduction. Drizzle with olive oil and the chopped garlic. Top it off with a slice of cheese and Spanish ham. Then grill until the cheese begins to melt and serve.

Remember to pair your tapas with a hard Spanish red wine. Everything is better with a good wine. We have a large cellar for you with all types of wines. Have a look! 

Study of the benefits of Spanish Ham in a group of nuns

The Spanish doctors Avelino Ortiz and Enrique Macia, started a study in 1991 about the health benefits of the Spanish ham (or Jamon). It was really known in Spain due to they used a group of cloistered nuns as one of the studied population.

The study revealed that “when people follow a balanced diet, Iberico pork is not detrimental at all, and help to keep blood lipid levels in reliable figures for cardiovascular health. Eating Iberico pork also improves Vitamin C levels (antioxidant) and decreases the possibility of thrombosis”.

The study was conducted with a thesis, over three different groups: 19 post-menopausal women, 18 men and 18 women with over 250mg cholesterol levels, and 27 cloistered nuns.

We can find the conclusion that Iberico pork (because of oleic acid) and Spanish Jamon, Iberico or Serrano, are really healthy and particularly suitable for diets with hyperlipidaemia and for people who are suffering arteriosclerosis. Pork and Jamon are part of the famous Mediterranean diet.

Types of Spanish Iberico and Serrano Ham

Jamon (Spanish for ham) Iberico or Serrano is in addition to caviar,foie and black truffles, the fourth finest and valued flavour in the world, as ensuring the best chefs and experts. The exclusivity of this food, only made in some regions of Spain, perfect because of its climate, tradition and know-how, makes it one of the most sought after and asked for. A truly gourmet delight.

But, what do we know about the different kinds of Jamon? What is exactly a Jamon Iberico or a Jamon Serrano? Well, the biggest difference is in the feeding of the animals, and the types of pigs.

Mainly we can find two breeds of pigs in Spain:

Black Iberian: This legendary and select race has many qualities, including a great capacity to accumulate fat under its skin and between the muscular fibres. This is what produces the typical white streaks that make it special. It’s the only breed used to makeIberico ham. Only in some cases, pigs grow and live freely in the dehesa (meadow), where they can run and do exercise, what is perfect for the hams.

White pig: is a cross between Large White and Landrace (mother side) and Duroc breed (father side). These races allow to obtaining quality hams with low levels of dietary cholesterol (high in unsaturated fats and low in saturated fat). It’s used to make Serrano ham.

So, from the back leg of a Black Iberian pig we can make:

-        Jamon Iberico de Bellota(Spanish for acorn): is the top grade of Spanish ham. Bellota means that the pig has been fed exclusively on a diet of acorns and herbs. This feeding gives the hams a very rich flavour and smooth texture. These hams need to be cured for at least 24 months. The world most famous brand is Joselito.

-        Jamon Iberico de Recebo: the pig has been fed a mixed diet including both acorns and compound feed (cereals mainly). The hams take some flavour of the acorn, but with less intensity.

-        Jamon Iberico de Cebo: pigs raised in a compound feed diet. Anyway, the breed makes an excellent ham even without the acorn diet, with a very smooth texture and good flavour.  

And from the back leg of a White Spanish pig we can make:

-          Jamon Serrano: this indicates that the pig has grown (and the ham has been made) in a mountain range, so is used to indicate a wide range of hams. The salting and curing process is the same as for the Iberico ham, but usually for less time. Flavours range from mild and full flavoured, excellent as well. Jamon Serrano is the staple of most Spanish families and restaurants and accounts for 90% of ham production in Spain.

-          Jamon from Teruel: this refers to a PDO (Protected Designation of Origin by EU Authorities) type of ham made exclusively in Teruel, a region with perfect conditions, including climate, for raising pigs and curing process. Jamon from this area has an special flavour, highly valued and appreciated by top Spanish chefs, who often use it in their recipes and restaurants. PDO Council lays down rules that ensure the high quality of this ham. There are really strict rules for growth and feeding pigs, for the curing process, even for the altitude (800 m.a.s.l.) and the geographical area at which the hams are to be made. There are many brands and small companies of Jamon from Teruel, but undoubtedly, the most recognized for its quality and special flavour is Antonio Mata.

And what is a Paleta? Simple: a Jamon is made from the back leg of a pig. The Paleta or Paletilla is made from the front leg (shoulder cut). Obviously the Jamon has more meat than the Paleta because the size difference, as it’s smaller (but less expensive).

We hope helped to tell the different types of Jamon and its qualities for your next purchase. 

How to carve and slice a bone-in Spanish Jamon

A little guide with 6 easy steps to carve, cut, slice and serve a good bone-in SpanishJamon:

STEP 1 Use a medium size knife, pointy and very sharp. Fix the ham to the carving stand. In what way? With the hoof facing up and away from you.

STEP 2 We have to start carving the part called ‘maza’. Make a cut near the hoof (10 cm more or less), and remove the rid of a not very large area. Take care not to remove all fat, is a tasty part of the ham and, believe it or not, very healthy.

STEP 3 Now we change the knife for a long and very sharp one. There are special knives tocarve the Spanish Jamon. Carve from hoof to ‘punta’, clearing the skin and yellow layers of fat.

STEP 4 Cut and cut slices and when arrive to the hip bone, cut around it with the first type of knife. Turn ham over to cut the maza. Then, keep cutting slices in the same way, just as previously, and around the hip bone too.

STEP 5 Continuosly removing the rind, when there are no more slices left, trim the fat around the hip and star slicing this area. There is a darker meat below which has a rich flavour. This part is one of the best.

STEP 6 Serve freshly cut to keep the taste. Always at room temperature, never cold, you can serve it in a warm plate. 

But nothing better tah a short video:

And that’s all, just enjoy the most deliciousflavour from Spain! 

Spanish Tapas: a whole world

Nowadays the Spanish term tapa is known around the World. We usually eat tapas at trendy Spanish restaurants, which are springing in many countries as UK or USA. Spanish food is in vogue, because of its simplicity, its healthy ingredients, and above all, its flavours: distinctive and strong, but pleasant and delicious.

But we know what really the tapas are? How are the real tapas in Spain? How many types of tapas can we find? Or how the Spanish eat them?

We can define Tapas are titbits eaten with drinks at a bar. Normally eaten before a full meal, but not exclusively, as the custom is to eat them between meals, mid-afternoon, mid-morning, or to brighten up any time at the bar. Or you can simply make a complete meal with them.

The name tapa (cover) is very old, and refers to the slice of bread with jamon that was put on the jars of wine, in the medieval inns, to not enter flies or dust.

What means Tapeo? Tapeo is the Spanish tradition of going out, normally before lunch or dinner, to join friends to drink beer, wine, or a soft drink, while eating some snacks (tapas), to stave off hunger. In many parts of Spain is a tradition going from bar to bar and eat a tapa on each. This is called Ir de tapas. So tapas mix the concept of eating with socializing.

Eating and drinking are complementary: drink stimulates the appetite and aids digestion of some ingredients (such as pepper), and in turn, food helps to lower effects of alcohol.

 

The tapas are cooked in all bars in Spain, so many of them are warm. Each offers different tapas, but some are common and famous throughout the country. That is the case of Tortilla Española (Spanish potato and onion omelette), Patatas bravas (spiced potatoes), Boquerones (anchovies with garlic and olive oil), the fresh Russian salad (potato with vegetables and mayonnaise salad), or Croquetas (croquettes; made of chicken, jamon or cod)

But we can find specialties by region. For example:

-          Galicia, in the northwestern coast, is famous for its seafood tapas, as this area is Europe's largest producer of shellfish. We can try the octopus, prepared in the Galician way. Or the Empanadillas Gallegas (Galician patty with seafood).

 

-          In Andalusia is so typical to order Boquerones en vinagre (anchovies on vinegar with garlic and olive oil), or even Boquerones fritos (fried anchovies), but the star dish is definitely a plate of Jamon Iberico. 

 

-          In Castilla (Castile) there is a strong tradition for tapas of pork. Therefore, we can eat Chorizo (classic Spanish red sausage) or Morcilla (blood sausage). The most famous is the one made in Burgos, with rice.

 

-          Madrid is specially known for tapas, and you can find bars everywhere. Is very common to order Patatas bravas (medium size chunks of fried potatoes in a hot spicy sauce made with chilli), and of course Callos a la madrileña (tripe casserole).

 

-          In Catalonia the Pa amb tomaca (a slice of bread with tomato and garlic sauce), or Escalibada (peppers, aubergines and onions, baked in the oven).

-          Bilbao is famous for its tapas of Bacalao a la bilbaina (fresh cod cooked in the Bilbao way), or Gambas al ajillo (fried prawns out of its shell with garlic and chilli pepper). Everything is always accompanied by local wine, the txakoli.

-          And Valencia, capital of the Mediterranean Diet, you can order any salad with olive oil (very healthy), Clochinas al vapor (steamed clams), or Esgarraet (roasted pepper, cod "esgarrat", garlic and oil; simple but delicious).

 

There are different ways to serve or present a tapa: 

-          A simple normal dish or plate (Jamon, cheese).

-          Small clay casserole or plate (fried Chorizo, Gambas al ajillo).

-          Montaditos: a slice of bread with toppings (Loin with fried onions, Morcilla de Burgos).

-          Pincho: this term is sometimes confusing (depends on the part of Spain), because it can be a small plate (Ensaladilla rusa, Tortilla Española), or in the north it refers to a tapa which all ingredientes are fastened with a toothpick (as Champiñones; mushrooms).

 

-          Banderilla: olives, pieces of peppers, chives and a gherkin all fastened by a medium size stick.

-          Pincho moruno: skewers made with spiced chunks of chicken, pork or beef.

 

The size of a tapa can vary depending on the ingredients, time of day, the area of Spain. The same goes for the price, as some include drinks. Tapas can be found in all cities and bars in Spain, always presented at the fornt desk or bar, to see what they offer.

  

We recommend that in your next visit to Spain do not fail to try and test tapas the more the better. You will find an unlimited source of ideas, ingredients and flavours, as well as friends.

Bon appetit!, or in the Spanish way, Buen provecho!