View of the city from Park Guell in Barcelona, Spain
Virtual Travel

In Praise of Spain: How to Celebrate España At Home

So we can’t travel right now. So what? You can still channel your favorite destination right where you stand. This week, we're celebrating Spain and the many wonderful things it's gifted us—tapas, sangria, Zara, flamenco... Whether you're collecting ideas for date night, digital happy hour, or just because, use these ingredients to bring Barcelona, Madrid, Ibiza, or Mallorca (or whichever place you love most) to your living room.

Senior Editor, Jetsetter | @lindseytravels | lindseytravels.com

See recent posts by Lindsey Olander

Album to Blast

Easy Recipe to Cook

Potato and spinach tortilla in a pan on a light background.

Tortilla Española (Spanish Omelet)

Ingredients (Serves 8)How to Make It
– 4 tbsp olive oil
– 1 lb potatoes, peeled and sliced 1/8 inch thick
– 1 onion, diced
– 1 1/2 tsp spoked paprika
– 10 eggs
– 1 1/2 cups shredded cheese, like dry jack or Manchego
– Salt and pepper to taste
1. Warm 3 tbsp. olive oil in 12-inch nonstick fry pan over medium heat. Add potatoes, season with salt and pepper, and cook (stirring occasionally) about 10 minutes or until lightly browned and tender. Add onion and smoked paprika. Continue to cook for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until onions are translucent and potatoes are fully tender. Remove from heat and let cool 10 minutes.

2. In a large bowl, whisk eggs until combined. Season with salt and pepper. Add potato mixture and cheese to eggs and stir gently to combine.

3. Wipe fry pan and return to stove over medium heat. Add remaining 1 tbsp. olive oil and swirl to coat. Pour in egg mixture and cover pan. Cook 6-8 minutes until eggs are set on bottom but not browned. Shake pan to loosen tortilla. Invert a large plate on top of the pan and invert pan and plate together. Lift off the pan, letting tortilla fall onto the plate. (Careful: some uncooked egg may escape.) Slide the tortilla, cooked side up, back into the pan and cook uncovered for 5 minutes. Flip the tortilla out onto another plate and let cool to room temperature. Sprinkle lightly with paprika, cut into slices, and serve.

Recipe adapted from Williams-Sonoma.

…and when all else fails?

Drinks to Sip

Homemade Delicious Red Sangria with Limes Oranges and Apples

Classic Sangria

IngredientsHow to Make It
– 1 bottle red wine (we like Rioja)
– 1 1/2 oz brandy
– 1 1/2 oz Cointreau
– 2 tbsp sugar
– 1 12-oz bottle club soda
– Orange slices
– Apple slices
– Blackberries
– Pomegranate seeds
In a pitcher, sealed drink dispenser, or large punch bowl (if doubling the recipe), mix ingredients together with three cups of ice cubes and chill for two hours or more (preferably overnight) in refrigerator before serving.
Two glasses of cold Tinto de verano also known as Summer red wine.

Tinto de Verano

IngredientsHow to Make It
– 1 cup red wine
– 1 cup lightly sweetened lemon-lime soda
– Lemon wedge
– Seltzer (optional)
Combine red wine and soda over crushed ice. Garnish with a lemon wedge. Add splash of seltzer water if too sweet.

Rebujito

IngredientsHow to Make It
– 1 1/2 oz fino sherry like Tio Pepe
– 3 oz chilled Sprite (or tonic and fresh lemon juice)
Combine sherry and Sprite in a highball glass with ice and stir.

Outfits to Wear

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Movies to Watch

Pan’s Labyrinth (Netflix; Prime Video) | Vicky Cristina Barcelona (Prime Video)

Book to Read

If you consider yourself a reader, you’ll fall instantly in love with the premise of The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón. The story begins in Barcelona in 1945, just after the Spanish Civil War, where an antique book dealer’s son falls in love with a rare book. So much so, in fact, that he sets off in search of its obscure author—and whoever has been burning all other copies of the novel. But the closer he gets, the more dangerous it becomes, as characters fight to keep him from the truth. It’s a page-turning ode to reading and obsession that speaks to anyone who has ever fallen under a story’s spell.

Even More Stuff to Set the Mood

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