What do you bring when you have been invited to visit friends or family ?

chopping parsley

A hugely entertaining read from David Lebovitz  – he even packs meat cleavers when heading to visit friends or family for the weekend ! I have to say that I’d be a bit concerned if any of my friends or family turned up with such an arsenal of equipment. Really made me laugh as in […]

Chorizo Stuffed Baby Squid Recipe

chorizo stuffed baby squid

It is no secret that I am a cephalopod monster – if ever I spot pulpo, choco, calamar, chipirones or puntillitas on the menu – it’s mine! So just by chance, I caught a few minutes of BBC 1’s Saturday Kitchen the other weekend. Looking gorgeous slaving over a hot stove was the talented Ben […]

Delicious Andalucía

jose pizarro

An inspiring interview with José Pizarro, the well known and highly respected Spanish chef. José has a great tapas bar in London called – José. Faboulous tapas prepared using the best ingredients. He is a big fan of Sherry too.  Andalucía is quite a remarkable state. Filled with more gourmet delights than most countries! From […]

Pepi’s Traditional Seafood Paella Recipe

Summer’s in the air here in southern Spain – and there’s no more summer-y Spanish dish than a seafood paella. This traditional paella recipe from my trusted right-hand cook, Pepi, is authentic, simple and absolutely delicious… Ingredients You will need: 1/2 x red pepper – chopped 1 x onions – chopped 1 x small green […]

The Almadraba : Netting Blue-Fin Tuna, The Phoenician Way

The Almadraba with Annie B

THE ALMADRABA: NETTING BLUE-FIN TUNA, THE PHOENICIAN WAY Last week –  I saw it happen. I watched as the majestic blue-fin tuna, glistening in the morning sunlight, were being hoisted out of the sea to begin their journey from Zahara de los Atunes to dining tables in Japan. In a small boat of just 10 […]

Gilding the Txakoli

My Sherry  buddy Chelsea of sherryweek.com and I decided to head north to Donostia (San Sebastian), the land of Pintxos, Txakoli (pronounced cha-ko-lee) and crashing waves, to visit her family (Chelsea is half Spanish) and to meet up with Mimo to indulge in a fabulous Gastronomic Society Experience (extra special cooking class) An early morning […]

A Love Affair with Squid

Squid dish

I love Cephalopods – not as pets but as one of the most delicious fish to devour. I think I’m correct in saying that this is the family pecking order Pulpo/Octopus Choco/ Cuttlefish Calamar/Squid Chiperones/ hmmmm – smaller squid? Puntillitas/ mini squid They all have ink to fire at predators to blur their getaway path. […]

Chocolate and Almond Cake Recipe

chocolate cake with strawberries

(Photograph by Graham Templeton) Delicious, indulgent and it even freezes like a dream – I’ve been making this chocolate and almond cake recipe to rave reviews for years now… Ingredients You will need: 50g dark cocoa powder 100g dark chocolate (70% preferably) 120g peeled almonds 100g butter 100g sugar 3 eggs 1/2 tsp vanilla essence Icing […]

Vejer – A Perfect Place to Celebrate

jamon serrano on a plate

Annie B has teamed up with Casa Amaro to create a unique and unforgettable experience for a truly epicurious group celebration. Imagine, 5 days and 4 nights of Spanish cooking classes, Sherry tasting, tapas crawls, Vejer dining experiences, market visits, a rooftop Paella party plus a charming traditional patio home all to yourselves!  What a […]

A Dozen Reasons why Vejer is a Very Lovely Place to Live

Plaza De España, Vejer

1. The Weather Here we are on the 23rd January, sitting in the sun in shirt sleeves. 2. The Views From everywhere in Vejer you get a different perspective of the town, the countryside and the Straits of Gibraltar, glorious glorious views. Even from my bed I can see the church, an Almadraba trap (when […]