Cooking And Eating Around Orihuela Costa

Land And Sea

From jewels of the Mediterranean to secrets of the Orient, it is quite possible to eat your way around the world from your home in Orihuela Costa. The local cuisine is typical of the Alicante province, combining fresh produce from the land and sea. The city of Orihuela and surroundings has been home to many civilizations that have inhabited the area over the centuries, such as Celts, Iberians, Greeks, Romans and Muslims; and aside from making their mark on its history and architecture, they have influenced the traditional gastronomy in some way. The diet enjoyed today is typical of the Mediterranean, and being rich in fish, seafood, rice, olive oil, fruit and vegetables harvested from fertile valleys of the Vega Baja is also incredibly healthy! Aside from seafood, the locals love tucking into hearty platters of succulent lamb chops, rabbit cooked in garlic, roast leg of lamb with garlic and fresh rosemary and cured hams. Orihuela Costa is particularly proud of its local sausages, “salchichas” which along with the typical spicy chorizo and salchichon, also include black pudding specialties such as “morcilla de verano”, “morcilla de cebolla”, “morcilla de pícaro”, “morcón” and the white and red variety, “blanco, longaniza blanca y roja”. Crusty loaves of bread provide a wholesome filler and are served as an accompaniment with most meals.

Rice Specialties

Rice forms a significant part of the diet throughout most of Spain, although regional variations mean that it is prepared differently depending where you are. The most famous rice based dish is paella, for which Valencia follows its own unique recipe. Paella Valenciana, combines rice, chicken, seafood, green beans, olive oil, saffron and seasoning; and aside from being the chef’s specialty in some of the area’s finest restaurants, is a firm favourite in most households and often served on Sundays or special occassions. Other typical recipes which you should expect to come across in Orihuela Costa include “Arroz a banda”, where the rice is slowly cooked in fish stock, with a little fish, peppers and garlic. The secret to this dish is in good quality rice and freshly made stock, and if cooked properly some will argue that it is a tastier alternative to paella.  In fact, if you asked a bar full of locals, which was their preferred choice, you could quickly start a heated debate over the contentious topic! “Arroz al horno” (oven-baked rice), “Arroz negro” (black rice with squid in inky sauce), “Arroz y costra (rice cooked with sausage and beaten eggs then baked in the oven), “Arroz y serranas” (rice with snails) and “Arros amb fesols i naps” which combines a moist rice with mixed beans and turnips, are all popular rice based recipes. Locals will also serve their own take on the creamy Italian rice dish, risotto, to which restaurants will usually add mushrooms for a simple, yet tasty vegetarian option.

Winter Warmers

Steaming stews and soups are a popular way to warm the bones during the winter months without turn up the heating. Traditional stews enjoyed in Orihuela Costa include “Olla Churra” which combines various meats, vegetables, legumes, boiled bones, and occasionally rice or potatoes; and “Cocido con Pelotas”, which is a stock liquid with meatballs added. The same method applies with their soups, which are again an inexpensive way to feed the family using basic ingredients, will keep well and require very little effort to prepare. Soup will generally be served warm in the winter, with cold varieties such as gazpacho, which is made from tomatoes and peppers, providing a popular alternative throughout the summer.

Something Fishy

Like most coastal zones, Orihuela Costa is the ideal location to sample some of the country’s freshest and tastiest fish and seafood dishes. You do not have to be in an exclusive fish restaurant to enjoy the finest fish here, as you are virtually guaranteed to be served high quality, local catch wherever you go. If you pay a little extra to dine in style then you may be given the option of choosing your dinner whilst it is still moving, although the thought does not appeal to everyone! Whilst you will be able to sample all varieties of fish in a good fish restaurant, other eateries are more likely to serve the most popular choices, such as salmon, swordfish, hake, sole and panga, with the most popular cooking methods being grilled, baked in salt or in a creamy sauce. Large varieties of seafood, such as lobster and crab are considered a delicacy here and enjoyed in homes throughout the area on Christmas Day, whilst cuttlefish, squid, clams and other shellfish are prepare in stews, soups or other sauces and often served as tapas with bread and ali-oli.

Eating Out

With such a high percentage of foreign residents, it is no surprise that Orihuela Costa has a very varied and versatile gastronomy. Dining out can take you to all four corners of the globe, with a selection of authentic Japanese Sushi, Indian, Chinese, Cantonese and Thai eateries, including the immensely popular “Papaya Tree” located within Flamenca Beach Commercial Centre and “Asia Chic” at Cabo Roig.  If you like something with a bit of a kick then prepare to be delighted by the mouth watering dishes served up at “Poco Loco” on Cabo Roig strip, which offers a great choice of spicy Mexican and American dishes, including a very reasonably priced Menu of the Day. For typical French cuisine, try “The French Touch,” located at CC La Fuente, Campoamor, or go Greek at “El Greco” nestled within the Los Dolses CC, Villamartin.  There are a host of excellent Italian venues including “Puccini” in Cabo Roig, “Ché Pizza And Pasta” at Villamartin Plaza, “La Dolce Vita” at Villamartin and “Isabela’s” at CC La Fuente. There is a wide choice of fine Spanish restaurants in the area, with restaurante “Los Cucalos” at Los Dolses CC, “Interim” at La Fuente CC, Rianxeira Restaurant in Cabo Roig and The Lobster Restaurant “Don Engel” at Playa Flamenca being some of the most admired eateries on the coast. Meanwhile, if you are missing the flavours of home, there is no better place to find traditional British and Irish cuisine than Orihuela Costa. From hearty pub grub to lavish fine dining restaurants, you certainly won’t have to hop on a plane to find a menu which features all of your old favourites! Even many of the Spanish supermarkets have begun to introduce a range of international brands, allowing you to recreate your famous signature dishes from the comfort of your casa.

Vinos of the Vinalopó

Although Orihuela Costa is not known for its wine production, Alicante province certainly is, with numerous towns located further inland being home to thriving bodegas with an international reputation. The DO Alicante Regulatory Council reports that there are 44 wineries spread across an area of 14 613 hectares of vineyards situated on both sides of the Vinalopó River in Alicante province. Those closest to Orihuela Costa are situated around 70 kilometres away in Novelda, Monóvar and Pinoso, with many more scattered across the Marina Alta, in Alfaz del Pí, Teulada, Benissa, Parcent and Jalón, with wines from the latter having an esteemed reputation for being of high quality with a lovely bouquet. Whilst wine tourism is not as developed here as in other Spanish wine regions, some wineries do offer tours and tastings and are well worth a visit! Red, white, rosado and moscatel wines are all produced in Alicante; with the most popular white varieties now being Chardonnay, Macabeo, Meseguera, Moscatel of Alexandria, Sauvignon Blanc, Planta Fina and Verdil; and Garnacha Tinta, Garnacha Tintorera, Monastrell, Tempranillo, Bobal, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Noir and Shyra among the top red grape varieties. All of this is great news for wine aficionados, who are almost guaranteed to find a local blend that they enjoy, which is not only widely available in the bars, restaurants and supermarkets in the area. And best of all- the local wines are incredibly cheap wherever you go, so you don’t have to splash out too much to enjoy a glass, or two!