Found in the city center of Ronda, the La Rondeña (Hotel Plaza de Toros) provides a good jump-off point for tourists looking to explore the historic town. The hotel has a quiet and romantic appeal which sets it apart from other hotels in the area. Though it only has 16 rooms, all are fully furnished to provide the amenities that weary travelers deserve.
Spanish Paella Recipe
Curiously enough, the Spanish Paella Recipe, the most Spanish of all dishes, which is practically a byword for “Spanishness”, is neither Spanish, nor is it known as “paella” here in Ronda! Around the Serranía is just called “Arroz”
The original recipe is lost in the mists of time, but scholars now believe that the dish was brought to Iberia by the Phoenicians, long before the birth of Christ.
Though the most famous version hales from Valencia, paella is regarded as a local specialty in just about every corner of Spain.
Recipe for Torrijas, an Easter Treat in Spain
Every Easter, known as Semana Santa in Spain, local bakeries and patisseries will make up special Easter desserts, and in Ronda the pick of the bunch is called Torrijas, a sweet treat made with bread as the base, filled with custard, and drowned in honey or sugar and served on a plate to be eaten with a knife and fork.
Of course as is typical of the Spanish, every region will have their own variation, so the recipe I’m going to share with you may not be exactly how your Spanish friends would make it, so be careful you don’t offend them by saying this recipe is the best, instead nod knowingly when they tell you what is missing, or how they’d make it, and then when their back is turned choose the recipe you prefer!
Ronda’s Arab Baths
Rondas Arab Baths, known in Spanish as “Baños Arabes” are one of Ronda’s most important tourist attractions, and some argue more important than the unquestionably beautiful Puente Nuevo, or Ronda’s other claim to fame, the Plaza de Toros.
The baths are similar to the design perfected by the Romans, except that steam was used to sweat out pollutants from the body rather than soaking in hot water as the Romans used.
The Moors of Spain were also Muslim, so religious traditions were important, a Mosque was located next to the baths, and the baths were more than just a sanitary facility. They were also a place where locals and visitors alike would stop to purify and cleanse their bodies before entering the Mosque to purify their souls.
Practise your language skills and click here to read this article translated into Spanish!
Fabada Asturiana in Ronda – Recipe
Fabada Asturiana is a traditional dish from the region of Asturias in northern Spain. It’s a hearty and satisfying stew made with white beans, chorizo sausage, and other meats, and it’s often enjoyed with crusty bread and cider, which is another Asturian specialty. You can often find Fabada Asturiana on menus in Rondas restaurants. The … Read more