Ibiza's gastronomy is much more than a collection of traditional dishes. It is a way to learn about the history of the island, its customs and that way of meeting around a table to share good times.
Today we propose you to discover two typical Ibiza recipes that never go out of style: arroz de matanzas and flaó.
One savory and one sweet, perfect for bringing a little piece of the island to your kitchen. Put on your apron!
Local produce, the secret of Ibizan cuisine
Before you turn on the stove, there's one thing worth remembering: a good recipe starts with good ingredients.
Betting on local products, buying in markets and choosing local producers is a way to enjoy authentic flavours and support those who keep Ibiza's gastronomic tradition alive.
It is also important to respect the rhythms of nature. In autumn, for example, pebrassos (chanterelles) appear, mushrooms that are highly appreciated in Ibizan cuisine. Going out to look for them can become a special experience, but we must always do it responsibly.
There is nothing like cooking with ingredients that we have collected ourselves, as long as we know how to identify them with certainty.
Of course, we should not get ahead of the season or remove the leaf litter or soil looking for mushrooms that have not yet emerged, as we can alter the conditions necessary for their development.
And, of course, you have to respect the collection rules of each space.
Arroz de matanzas: a tradition to share
Arroz de matanzas is one of the most beloved dishes in Ibizan gastronomy. Traditionally, it was prepared during the pig slaughter days to feed family and friends who participated in the tasks, although it was also common to cook it on other occasions.
Its secret is to combine good meats, a tasty broth and the right spices...
Key ingredients
- Rice, farmer chicken broth, ribs and lean pork and country chicken.
- Pebrassos, tomato, garlic, green pepper and parsley.
- Totespécies (allspice), white pepper and farmhouse saffron in threads.
How to prepare slaughter rice
Start by preparing a good broth with a peasant chicken carcass. Meanwhile, make a minced meat with tomato, garlic, green pepper and parsley.
In a saucepan, sear the meats until golden brown. Add the pebrassos, let them cook lightly and add the minced. Stir to integrate all the flavors.
Then, pour in the broth, add the spices and let it boil for about 20 minutes. Finally, add the rice and cook it for a maximum of 12 minutes, checking the point after ten.
A house trick? Leave the rice with a small, slightly firm heart, so that it retains its texture if someone wants to repeat. That surely is!
Flaó: the sweetest flavour of Ibiza
If we talk about traditional desserts, the Ibizan flaó deserves a special place. This fresh cheesecake and mint was traditionally prepared during Easter, although nowadays we can enjoy it all year round.
Its combination of cheese, anise and mint gives it a very characteristic flavor that differentiates it from other cheesecakes.
Ingredients
- 480 g of flour.
- Water and oil.
- A glass of anise and anise grains.
- 4 eggs and 480 g of fresh cheese.
- Mint and sugar to taste, plus powdered sugar for garnish.
How to prepare Ibizan flaó
For the dough, mix the flour with the anise grains, water and oil in equal parts and add a glass of anise. Knead until you get a compact texture that you can easily spread on a mold.
For the filling, beat the eggs and mix them with the crumbled queso fresco, sugar and a few mint leaves.
Pour the mixture over the dough, add a few mint leaves if you want to decorate and bake for about 45 minutes at 180 °C, with the oven previously heated.
Let cool, sprinkle on some powdered sugar and you're ready to enjoy one of the most representative flavours of Ibiza!
Discover Ibiza's gastronomy with Eating in Ibiza
Arroz de matanzas and flaó are just two examples of the gastronomic richness of Ibiza, an island where traditional recipes, local products and new culinary proposals coexist around the table.
If you want to continue discovering flavours, visit Eating in Ibiza, where you will find restaurants, local producers, recipes and many other proposals to get to know the island through its gastronomy.
Because discovering Ibiza also means savouring it. Bon profit!
