This site blends basketball news and information with some great Spanish food and recipes – so if you’re a keen player yourself, then we’ll show you how to put the two together in order to create the ideal basketball diet. It might require a little planning, but the results can be extremely beneficial.

It is well known that athletes and those in regular training should get a good amount of protein, but they should also think carefully about the sources of this protein. Beans, pulses and fish, for example, are all good sources of protein, whilst also being much lower in fat than sources such as red meats. Eggs are also a particularly good source of protein, we well as a number of other essential nutrients.

You should also aim to limit the amount of complex carbohydrates which you consume. Of course, a professional basketball player will need to eat higher levels of carbohydrates than someone who spends their days working behind a desk, or playing online games like Partypoker, due to the fact that carbohydrates are a key source of energy. However, in order to be beneficial to your diet as a whole, you will want to stick to sources such as wholemeal rice and pasta, or potatoes.

As with any healthy diet, fruit and vegetable are essential. This is where basketball players will find their main source of vitamins and minerals, as well as fibre. Dairy products can be used to provide a good source of calcium but, again, stick to milk or yoghurt (rather than creamy cheeses) in order to avoid high levels of fat. Whenever you are playing basketball, also make sure that keep yourself hydrated with plenty of water.

By following these simple guidelines when choosing which traditional Spanish dishes to cook, you are more likely to be able to reach your full potential as a basketball player.

Quarterfinals

• DKV Joventut vs MMT Estudiantes
• Tau Ceramica vs Pamesa Valencia
• Unicaja vs Kalise Gran Canaria
• Real Madrid vs Regal FC Barcelona

Semifinals

Unicaja vs Kalise Gran Canaria (vs) winner of DKV Joventut vs MMT Estudiantes
Tau Ceramica vs Pamesa Valencia (vs) winner of Real Madrid vs Regal FC Barcelona

Note:We will post a video or a link to the games if they are streaming free online. Right now there are clips at ACBTV

Ingredients:

• Eggs (5-6)
• Potatoes
• Onions (Optional)
• Salt
• Pepper
• Olive Oil

Spain Tapas

Ingredients

• 2 Tbsp of oil
• 40 gr. of butter
• 3 or 4 Tbsp of flour
• 3/4 L of cold milk
• 2 Eggs, well beaten
• 1 L Oil
• 2 mugs of fine Breadcrumbs (grated bread)
• Salt
• Nutmeg
• 200 gr. of smoked ham (tiny cubes)

Directions

Melt the 2 tbsp of oil and the butter in a pot and then over a low flame, add the flour, mixing well with a wooden spoon to form a roux. When the roux turns yellows slowly add the cold milk (always stirring), a little salt and a pinch of nutmeg. Let everything thicken over a low heat, stirring constantly with the wooden spoon to avoid lumps. Continue stirring  until the roux leaves the sides of the pot (nowadays, cooks use hand mixers or beaters). While stirring add the pieces of ham so they are incorporated throughout the roux by the stirring.

Let it stand at least 2 hours until it cools.

Once the roux is cold, make the croquettes using a tablespoon to take the portion from the pot and shape it  with your hands.

Place the 2 well beaten eggs in a bowl and in another bowl place the finely grated bread.

Coat each croquette with the bread crumbs, then dip into the eggs and again into the grated bread and fry them in very hot and deep oil (6 pieces at a time). Let them rest on paper serviettes to drain off the oil.