Iberian dishes are a true delight for gastronomy lovers. The richness of flavors and textures of products such as Iberian ham, shoulder, loin, and other derivatives of the Iberian pig is incomparable. However, did you know you can enhance these delicacies even more with delicious sauces and side dishes? This article will introduce you to essential recipes to take your Iberian dishes to another level.
Best sauces and accompaniments for Iberian dishes
We have selected some of the most practical, versatile, and easy-to-prepare among the many options available. This is a perfect selection to delight yourself and your guests by enhancing the best of Spanish gastronomy.
Pedro Ximénez Sauce
Pedro Ximénez sauce is the perfect complement to bring out Iberian ham's sweet and deep flavor. To prepare it, you will need the following ingredients:
Ingredients
- 200 ml Pedro Ximénez wine.
- 1 small onion, finely chopped.
- 2 cloves of garlic, crushed.
- 1 tablespoon of brown sugar.
- 1 tablespoon of butter.
- Salt and pepper to taste.
Preparation
- In a frying pan, melt the butter over medium heat and add the onion and garlic. Sauté until golden brown, and then add the Pedro Ximénez wine.
- Let the sauce reduce over low heat for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Add the brown sugar and season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Continue cooking the sauce until it reaches a thick, velvety consistency.
- Serve this delicious sauce over slices of Iberian ham and enjoy its perfect pairing.
Cream cheese cream to accompany Iberian pork loin
Iberian pork loin is a sausage with an intense and smooth flavor at the same time. An excellent way to enhance its flavor is to accompany it with a creamy cheese cream. Here are the necessary ingredients:
Ingredients
- 150 g cream cheese.
- 2 tablespoons of Greek yogurt.
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice.
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill.
- Salt and pepper to taste.
Preparation
- Mix the cream cheese, Greek yogurt, lemon juice, and chopped dill in a bowl.
- Add salt and pepper to taste and stir until a smooth and homogeneous texture is obtained.
- Serve this cream cheese as a delicious accompaniment to the Iberian pork loin. Its creaminess and freshness will further enhance the flavors of this exquisite sausage.
Orange and honey sauce to enjoy with Iberian shoulder ham
The iberian shoulder is a juicy and flavorful piece of meat. An orange and honey sauce will give it a sweet and sour touch, enhancing its delicious flavor. These are the ingredients you will need:
Ingredients
- Juice of 2 oranges.
- 2 tablespoons of honey.
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce.
- 1 teaspoon grated ginger.
- 1 clove of garlic, minced.
- Salt and pepper to taste.
Preparation
- Mix the orange juice, honey, soy sauce, grated ginger, and minced garlic in a saucepan.
- Cook over medium heat until the sauce reduces and thickens slightly, stirring occasionally.
- Add salt and pepper to taste.
- Once ready, pour the sauce over the Iberian shoulder and enjoy the perfect combination of sweet and citrus flavors.
Iberian ham croquettes
These delicious Iberian ham croquettes are easy to prepare and are the perfect accompaniment for all kinds of events. The only thing you will need to prepare them is:
Ingredients
- 200 g of Iberian ham, chopped into small pieces.
- 50 g butter.
- 1 small onion, finely chopped.
- 2 cloves of garlic, chopped.
- 100 g flour.
- 500 ml milk.
- Salt and pepper to taste.
- Bread crumbs.
- Beaten eggs.
- Vegetable oil for frying.
Preparation
- In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic, and cook until tender and lightly browned.
- Add the chopped Iberian ham to the pan and cook for a few minutes to release its flavor.
- Add the flour and stir well to mix all the ingredients. Cook the mixture for a couple of minutes so that the flour cooks.
- Pour in the milk little by little while stirring constantly to prevent lumps from forming. Continue cooking the mixture until it thickens and comes away from the bottom of the pan.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste and stir well.
- Transfer the batter to a bowl and chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours.
- Once the dough is chilled and firm, form croquettes of the desired size, dip them in bread crumbs, then in beaten egg, and again in bread crumbs.
- Heat vegetable oil in a deep frying pan over medium-high heat. Fry the croquettes until golden brown and crispy on the outside.
- Remove the croquettes from the pan and place them on paper towels to remove excess oil.
- Serve the Iberian ham croquettes warm and enjoy them as an appetizer or as part of a main dish.
These are just a few ideas to enhance your Iberian dishes with delicious sauces and side dishes. To enhance your recipes, experiment with different ingredients and flavors to discover new combinations that make your dishes even more special. Enjoy!
