Rick Stein's Spain [DVD]

I enjoyed the video and cookery information.

I really like these Rick Stein cullinary travel DVD's: he comes across as someone really interested in the country, the culture as well as the cuisine, presenting regional cooking that most people prepare and cook themselves, or enjoy in down to earth, local rather than fine-dining, restaurants, bars and cafes. Spanish cooking does not have much of a reputation on the world's culinary scene, but perhaps it should have - the dishes presented in this series are varied, earthy in large part and occasionally quite hearty. Rick Stein has done what others are now emulating - a good example, "The two Greedy Italians'" exploring what is essentially cucina povera that has become, nowadays, specialist and increasingly expensive - Iberico ham, for instance, but originally belonged to the culture of an agrarian people. He has kept the food in the regions relatively basic, rooted in the culture rather than in expensive kitchens and he has done it, to my mind, with genuine empathy for the country - muy simpatico! The dishes he presents are good without being outstanding, but they fit the scene that he has created perfectly.

This Spanish odyssey lives up to his usual high standard. This time he is traveling around in a camper van and often cooks on the spot. What is so good about Rick is that he shows you all the steps involved in a dish and never leaves anything unsaid. He also takes time to interview farmers, food producers, and fellow chefs along the route, and often visits local markets. Why oh why have we given up so many of our fresh produce markets here in the UK?. I have copied many of his recipes and done them step by step (with heavy use of the Pause button on the dvd player!) then sat down to delicious authentic meals cooked a la Rick.Another feature of Rick's dvd adventures is that they are also fascinating travelogues. It's almost worth watching them for that alone, as I do on Sunday mornings.This is another great addition to the Rick Stein collection (and I recommend the book as well). Can't fault this, hence the 5 stars. Well done Rick, keep them coming.

I love food and I love travel. I am now a little worn and a little less able to travel so I enjoy any travel video about cooking. Food and people and peoples cultures all brought together in one pot and I am content for an hour or two.

This has a similar format to Rick Stein's trip in France. It is part travelogue, part local culinary specialities ( lots of fish and seafood) and also part cooking demonstration. The programmes cover a wide geographical spread - starting with Galicia in the North West and then travelling first East to the Basque country then to Navarre then Catalonia before turning South. Informative and entertaining.

It was a nice trip in Spain, colorful food, a lot of spices and a lot of things hard to get in England. But very good

Missed the series on TV but have loved the Spanish Pyrenees and the Spanish way of life and food for ages. Sadly Covid put a stop to this years visit but there's always the future to look forward to and, in the meantime, a "virtual" trip from the DVD's

Don't watch if you are a vegetarian but it is a good series!