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 […]
The Almadraba : Netting Blue-Fin Tuna, The Phoenician Way
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 […]
Chocolate and Almond Cake Recipe
(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 […]
A Love Affair with Squid
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. […]
A Dozen Reasons why Vejer is a Very Lovely Place to Live
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 […]
Vejer – A Perfect Place to Celebrate
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 […]
Five of the Best Small Hotels in Andalucia
When it comes to hotels, it’s probably fair to say that Andalucia’s not great at full-blown, international class luxury. But then neither does it need to be when what it isgood at is so much more interesting: charming family-run places. This quick pick of places to stay in southern Spain is a long way short […]
Cooking in Spain goes Eating in Barbate
I have Spanish friends in Madrid whose opinion on food and wine I trust. Their gems of gastronomic wisdom have always opened my eyes to some gourmet delights of Spain that I maybe wouldn’t otherwise appreciate. The latest of these gems came from a recent trip they made to this area a few weeks ago. […]
Future generations of Spanish Chefs
Yesterday morning Annie B was invited to be part of the judging panel at a cooking competition at the Santa Isabel de Hunrgía bi-lingual school in Jerez. The brief to the pupils was ''dishes typical of English speaking countries' With over 100+ impressive entries – lots of cakes, cup cakes, scotch eggs, biscuits and jellies […]
Only the Green Beans Today
I love the month of June in Vejer. June and September are probably my favourite months. The weather is glorious, brilliant bright sunshine, the bluest of skies and a cooling breeze. There’s always a cooling breeze high on the hilltop. Guests often walk into the coolness of Casa Alegre and say ”Thank goodness you have […]