Ep 5. Spain

In Extreme Cuisine with Jeff Corwin season 2 episode 5, Jeff travels to Spain to experience the country's rich culinary culture. He starts his journey in the beautiful city of Barcelona, where he begins by trying the famous dish – paella. Jeff meets with a local chef who teaches him how to prepare the perfect paella, which is often cooked outdoors on a large iron dish.

Jeff also visits a traditional farmers' market in Barcelona, where he samples some of the local cheeses and cured meats, such as jamón ibérico. Jeff learns about the different types of cheeses produced in Spain, and he gets to taste the 'triple-cream' cheese that is a staple of the Spanish cuisine.

Moving on, Jeff heads to the Basque Country, where he discovers some unique dishes that are not typical to the rest of Spain. He tries the dish called 'txangurro,' a baked crab dish that's cooked with tomato sauce and vegetables. Jeff then takes part in a traditional Basque cider house dinner, where he samples the local specialty – 'bacalao pil-pil.'

Jeff then visits San Sebastian, a coastal city renowned for its many Michelin-starred restaurants. Jeff meets with Chef Elena Arzak, who is one of the most celebrated chefs in Spain. Elena takes Jeff on a tour of her restaurant's garden, where she grows many of the vegetables and herbs that are used in her dishes. She then demonstrates how to prepare a dish that features a local fish called 'anchovy.'

Jeff also makes a stop at La Boqueria, one of Spain's oldest and most famous food markets, located in the vibrant city of Barcelona. There, he meets with a chef who shows him how to cook 'calçots,' a popular Catalan dish made with charred green onions. Jeff learns about the history of the dish and why it is traditionally eaten outside in a group setting.

Jeff wraps up his culinary journey in Madrid, where he visits Casa Mono, a tapas bar that's been open for over 100 years. Jeff tries some of the signature dishes, including some unique meatballs that are prepared in a rich tomato sauce. Jeff also takes part in a 'cocido madrileño' tasting, which is a classic Spanish stew made with a mix of meats, vegetables and chickpeas.

Throughout his travels in Spain, Jeff discovers a wide variety of dishes that reflect the country's rich culinary history. He learns about the many different regions and cultures that make up the Spanish cuisine, and he learns how important food is to the country's people and its identity.