What were some of the foreign influences on Spanish cuisine? What ...

[D2AR0N]

What were some of the foreign influences on Spanish cuisine? What culture made the greatest impact?
 
  What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

A hot souffl is made with
 
  a) whipped cream.
  b) whipped whole eggs.
  c) whipped egg whites.
  d) whipped egg whites and whipped cream.

[Galvarado142]

Answer to Question 1

Due to Spain's massive coast, and its proximity to the origins of human civilization
in Africa and the Middle East, there have been many foreign influences on Spanish
cuisine for many centuries. The early cultures like the Phoenicians, Greeks,
Carthaginians, Celts, Romans, Jews, and Visigoths left their culinary marks on this
cuisine. Of particular note are the Greeks and the Romans. The Greeks were the
original planters of olives, as well as chickpeas. The Romans planted grapes in
Spain for winemaking as well as olives and wheat. These items were planted
extensively--they were products that were needed by Rome. Olives, grapes and
wine, and wheat all play an important role in modern-day Spanish cuisine. As
important as these earliest influences were, none of them compare with the
influence of a culture that invaded from North Africa, the Moors. They ruled in
Spain for eight hundred years. The foods that they introduced to Spain cover the
entire spectrum of Spanish cuisine. There were spices like cumin, cinnamon
coriander, saffron, and nutmeg which one can find in many, many sweet and
savory foods in Spain. An incredibly important contribution was sugar cane from
which granulated sugar could be processed. Citrus fruits like lemons and oranges
plus other fruits like pomegranates and figs were introduced. Almonds, artichokes,
and eggplant, plus many other important foods came from the shores of North
Africa to Spain. With these ingredients the Moors introduced many dishes and
cooking techniques which, more than any other culture, have defined Spanish
cuisine.

Answer to Question 2

c