Apologies to vegans and vegetarians. This one is probably not for you. However, I have been writing this blog for well over a year now and I haven't … [Read more...]
Moroccan Lentil Soup
The other side of the divide It's a scant 30kms between Spain and Morocco. You can stand on one side and look across to the other. The distance … [Read more...]
Nicky’s grandmother’s fabulous Hungarian poppy seed cake
I'm not a big cake person, neither for making nor eating but every so often I try a cake that blows me away. And so it was on Xmas day when I tried … [Read more...]
Goats cheese
For me, there's nothing more evocative of the interior of the Mediterranean than the sound and smell of goats. It evokes olive trees and wild thyme, … [Read more...]
Hunting, gathering, wild and free
I'm quite convinced that some people are natural hunters and gatherers. I know for sure that I am one of them - well, a gatherer at least. . … [Read more...]
Persian Delight – Fesenjan
I’m actually quite reluctant to share this. I’m tempted to keep it to myself and then serve it at a dinner or a potluck and totally impress you. But … [Read more...]
Vendimia – the Sherry harvest
I am told that once upon a time there were around 300 bodegas here in town. This little corner of Spain, El Puerto de Santa Maria, Sanlucar de … [Read more...]
Harissa and Figs
Dried Figs and Spicy Harissa The laundry on my rooftop dries in about half an hour. The hot winds whip and crack the sheets and in no time … [Read more...]
Sun Drying Tomatoes
Sun Dried Tomatoes dried in the sun Now this So easy and So wonderful. All you need is tomatoes and some consecutive days of dry air and sun. Ok, I … [Read more...]
Cold soups and limonana
Salmorejo de remolacha, ajo blanco and limonana "The wind is in from Africa, last night I couldnt sleep..", The words of the old Joni Mitchell song … [Read more...]
Salmorejo
When life gives you lemons, they say make lemonade. So what do you do when your friend gives you a big bag of ripe, home grown tomatoes and a mountain … [Read more...]
Salt
Those of you just emerging from the grips of an endless winter will no doubt assume that this is a mountain of snow. But it's not. Its a … [Read more...]
Octopus, Octopi…
This strange looking creature has always fascinated me. I can't decide if it looks pre historic or futuristic. It's a mysterious creature. Underwater … [Read more...]
Jamon (demystified)
The vegetarians out there may not like this post but I can't blog about Spanish food without a post about jamon. Jamon is Spain.These rather strange … [Read more...]
Moroccan Style Black Olives
When I told my mother in law that I had just made 10 kg of olives she was a bit shocked. What on earth are you going to do with them all? she asked. … [Read more...]
Preserved Lemons
A comment following the previous entry suggested I post some recipes. I don't really intend this to be a recipe blog but there is just one I'd like to … [Read more...]
Orange and Quince
My friend and kitchen soulmate Ingrid told me she was having a love affair with quince. Quince? The word brought images to my mind of old English … [Read more...]
Olive Oil
I wrote in my last post that less and less of what is consumed today in Spain is produced traditionally but I am discovering that there … [Read more...]
Harvest – Olives and Nuts
Back in Spain after two weeks in London. Went straight to the market to see what was new and was delighted to see the new crop of olives ready … [Read more...]
Pimenton de la Vera
I've just come back from a fantastic few days in the north of Extremedura - the province of Spain that lies between Madrid and Portugal. I … [Read more...]