Category Archives: Life Style Spain

Feb12

#cookfromthebooks week 6 (Weather week & TV gone)

Posted on February 12, 2014 by larosilla

What a week, crazy weather all mixed up, days of warm sunshine, lashing rain and then winds to make Kansas look positively calm. Battening down the hatches and waiting for weather to arrive, can seem quite exciting. Mountain living is a guarantee that we receive extremes of all weathers and seasons, and within the ‘Expat online’ community always a great talking point, well we are British after all 😉

Number 1 daughter returned home from a very wet Herefordshire for her half term break, hoping for her cockles to be warmed and her pale skin to be rosied but we can’t always provide !! So it’s home fires burning, hot bots in bed and 2 pairs of socks to keep her tootsies warm. Candles are always at the ready at La Rosilla , baskets filled with tee-lights to be lit in every room, normally to create a cosy ambiance but at this time of year for necessity too. With wind and rain comes the power-cuts, all part of the adventure of our lifestyle.

Food for family and friends we can provide, nothing beats gathering around the dining table when there has been a week of conversation topic making. So I set the table, invited friends for supper, scoured my cook books for my week 6 #cookfromthebooks challenge, for family friendly recipes, ( our guests not quite so adventurous as us in food tastes 😉 A homely Chicken, Bacon and pea pie would see fit, chosen from Rachel Allens ‘favourite food at home’

I find this cook book, uplifting, clear and easy to follow. Good hearty recipes, beautifully captured in photos. Family favourites, dishes for occasions and basic must know tips for all cooks.

The Chicken pie with bacon and peas wasn’t a fast throw it all together affair, but worth the time and effort. Like normal I adapted it to suit our tastes and and what I had in the fridge. The pie in the recipe can be topped with mash or puff pastry, I used a filo topping, to add a slightly more sophisticated pie, to serve for supper guests. I also used pancetta, instead of ham, which added an extra richness. I served this with roasted butternut squash cubes, in caraway , not all guests were willing to try ‘Can’t do orange veg’ they said !!! and for green, french beans sauteed in butter & garlic.

No photos this week of my ‘Pie’, with power on & off, candles lit and my wine glass full, this rare I know, slipped my mind 😉

Pud was a comforting cherry crumble or La Rosilla chocolate Brownies, the children all bagsied the Brownies so I sneakily hid a butternut squash cube in them, but the devils caught me out 😉 – The crumble topping was unusually made I thought. I always rub my flour and butter together to make bread crumbs then add sugar , oats and cinnamon – but in Rachel Allen’s recipe for Rhubarb, plum & cardamon crumble, she prepares her dry ingredients then pours on melted butter and quickly mixes – It did provide a dense crumble topping but I found quite clumpy – I think in future I’ll stick to my usual, on saying that with the bowl placed dangerously near to my place, I did manage to secretly have a few portions 😉

To finish the week an event we knew was looming on the horizon, but hoping it wouldn’t and not knowing when it would, came to fruition. For many Ex-pats living in Spain, we have a guilty pleasure, or for some of us a necessity to watch UK TV to keep us up to date of our home-land, receive world wide news in our own language, or for me the obligatory watching of the many ‘Foodie’ programmes . Never have I watched a ‘Soap’ in 9 years but Saturday Kitchen, Masterchef & my ‘Jamie’ these are my moments of weakness and now they are GONE !! The UK have changed their satellite position, and now we can no longer tune in to our favourite channels 😦 . There are ways and means, and options being advised, sold, hawked as days go by, but as in sit, switch on and watch NO ! I know we’ll get used to it, and maybe find that life we actually came to live on a mountain for. I have a pile of books to get through, jigsaws to make, and DVD’s to watch, so once I’ve finished sulking and got my head around it, all will be fine….Hurry up summer, when late night terrace sitting, and the only thing we watch is the night sky for shooting stars.

Until then a plateful of home-made ‘Melting Moments’ from my treasured, well thumbed, Nan’s ‘Bero’ recipe book, will do the trick.

My well loved recipe book from my Nan.

Melting moments, yes please.

Melting Moments, with cranberries , coconut & oats.

MELTING MOMENTS RECIPE

140 g S.R Flour

80g caster sugar

120g Margarine / butter

1 tsp vanilla extract

Oats, dessicated coconut & cranberries to decorate.

Cream togwther butter & sugar, add vanilla.
Stir in flour and mix well.
With your hands bring dough together.
With wet hands divide mixture into 36 balls and roll and coat with coconut or oats.
Place on a greased baking sheet slightly apart and flatten a little add a dried cranberry to some.
Bake at 160c for 12-15 mins until golden.

FAMILY RATING 10/10

EASY.

BUEN PROVECHO

If you would like to join in this years challenge of #cookfromthebooks I would be delighted Just add the hashtag #cookfromthebooks and add the logo below & link to this site.

Feb5

Countryside cooking.

Posted on February 5, 2014 by larosilla

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Yesterday I was joined at La Rosilla, for the first Cooking & Culture Day of the year, by guests from America.

It was a chilly day in the mountains, but still breathtakingly beautiful with all the Almond trees in blossom, guests were kept warm as they cooked their giant paella, whilst sipping sherries by the fire pit.

Tapas of peppers stuffed with goats cheese, banderillas, cured chorizo, wild mushroom pate and confit cherry tomatoes and single estate olive oils were sampled and enjoyed around our country kitchen. The groups creations of homemade bread & chicken, chorizo and green bean paella , with garden salad were devoured.

The sun came out just in time for ‘Tarta de Santiagio’ a rich almond tart and comforting PX sherry to be savoured on the terrace and time to soak up the view.

Jan28

What a difference a day makes !

Posted on January 28, 2014 by larosilla

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We were expecting it, eager for it, and praying that it came. The weather forecast had promised us a wonderfully sunny and warm January weekend, and did not fail to deliver. The most amazing cloud formations, and spectacular sunshine greeted us, the wind was warm, and there was a surreal feel to the air.

The Almond trees on the mountain, finally relaxed their tight buds, and their precious blossom opened in the sun, filling the air with their sweet heady scent, and covering as far as the eye could see ‘Spring blossom snow’ as we call it.

Blue skies, warm breeze, off to the beach we went, to our hidden cove on the Mediterranean. Stopping en-route for a Spit-roast chicken, fresh baked bread, and home made ali-oli, a pic-nic feast we never tire of.

A few hours, with face to the sun, blowing away the cobwebs, spring in our step was a wonderful morale booster. Heart pebble hunting, drift wood collecting and on the way home, ice creams of course – A Malaga for me 🙂

Jan22

Barbour & Hunters.

Posted on January 22, 2014 by larosilla

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When we moved to Spain some 9 years ago, whoosh where did that time go ? As I was packing up, lock, stock and barrel and the removal truck had a squidge of space left, I squeezed in my Barbour and Hunter wellies. I was called crazy, mad, all the names under the sun, ‘ Do you know where we’re moving to ? ‘but I worked hard to get them and my Hunters were PINK, enough said !

Our first summer at La Rosilla, I paraded in my wellies regularly, often in just cozzie and pink boots, I was a sight to be seen. They were the best protection for my ankles and legs, as we tackled our overgrown mountain, and snakes were a common occurrence.

Our first winter it snowed !!!! First time in 80 years, and we happened to be there, history in the making. Out came my wellies and on went my waxed coat…who’s laughing now ? 😉

And so my righteousness goes on…

Today was a perfect day for the trusty pair to have an airing, damp, grey and cold, but outside jobs to tackle. A little faded now, by the sun, my shocking pink boots are the palest shade of blossom. My Barbour, still holds on to it’s familiar country aroma.

All dressed up, thick socks and rubber gloves on too, I headed out to plant, feed and collect.

Our over winter vegetable patch, is getting stronger and I added, pakchoi, lettuce, acelgas and beetroots today.

The hens were happy scratching in the damp earth, searching for the elusive Spanish worm, their eggs are now abundant and much larger.

Tikka the pony, is rugged up and cosy, and neighingly chats with me as I work.

Back in now for a warm, and to tuck into a comforting bowl of hearty lentils.

My coat hung up and my boots stood ready, they’ll wait patiently until the next time. Looking to the weekend weather forecast, the temperatures are going to climb. Yes, they’re not needed often thank-goodness but when they are, I always have a little chuckle to myself 😉

Jan20

La Bodega

Posted on January 20, 2014 by larosilla

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For a few weeks now, I’ve been champing at the bit to visit La Bodega in Riogordo, a new little bar in our nearby town. Friends had visited several times already, and told me ‘Lynz, you’ll love it‘, They weren’t wrong.

Tucked away down a cobbled street just off the plaza in the centre of the town, La Bodega’s sign is lit. Behind a curtain, and down the stairs, is a lovely reformed wine cellar , with traditional stone bench seats, wooden bar and cosy nooks heated with under table coal braziers . A hidden gem.

House wines from Ribero del duero & Rioja were copiously enjoyed and served with tapas of mini molletes, local cured cheese and jamon. Locals were so welcoming and invited us to sample the home-made Moscatel, which was deliciously and unusually dry for the area.

It was a welcomed change to visit, and a place we will return to again and again .

Hasta Luego La Bodega.

Jan20

#cookfromthebooks Week 3

Posted on January 20, 2014 by larosilla

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I’m really enjoying my #Cookfromthebooks challenge and the family are enjoying the results too – everybody’s happy. I do find it hard to just pick one recipe, from one book, maybe that will change as the year progresses. I relish time spent browsing through my cookery books, especially on days when I’m fasting (I’m on the 5:2 well 6:1 most weeks as I’m maintaining 🙂 ) I find browsing recipes on my low cal days , a sort of control testing and I can dream about plates to come !!

So onto this weeks choices, a chilled Saturday night supper & lazy Sunday luncheon by the roaring fire, temperatures have dropped in the mountains and we needed comfort & warming up.

On to Saturday night – Spiced mushroom and chickpea burgers – taken from Sam Stern’s Get Cooking. Sam wrote his books as a teenager with a passion for cooking. I recommend his books for any cook starting out, perfect for students going off to Uni, to learn some dishes, that are not quite the norm, which pack a punch of flavour. Sam describes the ingredients and recipes in a youthful and fun way . I like to include a couple of meat free days into the week, for cost and health reasons, so a tasty veggie burger would win all-round.

SPICY MUSHROOM ‘N’ CHICKPEA BURGERS

These burgers are similar to falafel, but a little more robust, even a hardcore meat eater would be satisfied . I chose to serve ours with wraps and salad, and a greek yoghurt and mango chutney dressing.

MAKES 6 – We decided in the wraps they would be better made smaller so easier to fold .

Olive oil for frying

2 onions, finely chopped

2 cloves,garlic crushed

dried chilli

1 tsp ground cumin

1 tsp ground coriander

1/4 tsp turmeric

1 tsp lemon grass paste

250g of chestnut mushrooms

juice of a lime

1 x 400g jar of chickpeas, rinsed

handful of fresh breadcrumbs

dash of tabasco

handful of fresh chopped coriander

plain flour for shaping

Gently fry onions and garlic in the olive oil until soft.
Add, chilli,cumin.coriander, turmeric & lemon grass cook for 3 mins.
Add mushroom and lime cook for 5 mins, & season.
Tip into a large bowl.
Blitz chickpeas in a food processor or crush with fork until broken, add to the bowl.
Add breadcrumbs, tabasco, fresh coriander and salt & pepper.
Flour your hands and shape the mixture into burger shape.
Chill burgers in the fridge for 1/2.
Fry in batches for 3-4 mins on each side in olive oil until golden.
Serve in warmed buns or wraps 🙂

TIP : I chopped onion, mushrooms and garlic in a food processor to get a uniformed chop, this helped the mixture bind too.

FAMILY RATING 10/10 a WINNER 🙂

Instead of the normal winter roast for our Sunday lunch, I decided on finger lickin’ ribs, and Oh boy they were just that, perfect comfort, sharing food. The recipe was taken from one of my favourite books Marie Claire’s Seasonal Kitchen, a perfect coffee table book, with breathtaking and mouthwatering photography, and recipes displayed in seasons. Clear and precise recipes and some unusual twists.

PORK SPARE RIBS

These ribs had the most delicious marinade that they sat in overnight, thus tenderizing the meat and allowing the ribs to bathe in flavour.

250 ml soy sauce

175 g golden syrup

4 tbsp balsamic vinegar

4 tbsp tomato puree

zest & juice of 1 orange

1 tbsp mustard powder

1 tbsp grated fresh ginger

1/2 tsp ground cumin

1/2 tsp chilli powder

1 bay leaf

2 racks of trimmed ribs

Probably the bestests ribs 😉

Put all the ingredients except ribs, into a saucepan mix well & bring to the boil, stirring so it doesn’t stick.
Sit the ribs in a shallow dish and pour over the marinade, leave preferably over night.
Line a ceramic baking dish with parchment, it saves a sticky mess when cleaning up 😉
Arrange ribs in the dish and pour over any remaining marinade.
bake for 15 mins, then turn the ribs and bake for 15 more mins.
Allow to stand for 5 minutes.

We served our ribs, with creamy mash, green beans dressed in garlic and the most wonderful purple carrots roasted with caraway and pink peppercorns.

FAMILY RATING 10/10

EASY

BUEN PROVECHO

If you would like to join in this years challenge of #cookfromthebooks I would be delighted Just add the hashtag #cookfromthebooks and add the logo below & link to this site.

Jan2

Cook from the books !

Posted on January 2, 2014 by larosilla

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Looking back over my year, I decided to give myself a pat on the back, I’ve finally managed to live my life surrounded by food and drink, and still loose 4 1/2 stone, thanks to the 5:2 . I know the way of eating has it’s opponents, not for everybody, but for me it’s worked and I love it. I’ve had my cake and eat it and my vino and drank it 😉

So now thinking of resolutions, things I’d like to achieve, goals for the year ahead. As my ‘Bio’ states I am commonly known as a cook book whore, I can’t live without them, recipe books of every cuisine, gathered over the years, they are my comfort blanket. I have a confession, I have so many I’ve never cooked from, all read many times from cover to cover but still full of dishes never created, by me that is.

My challenge to myself…..

Inspired by the film Julie & Julia, when an American journalist takes on the challenge to create the 524 dishes of the legendary Julia Childs, from Mastering the art of french cooking in 365 and blog about them.

My challenge not so extreme, but hopefully something that I will get a great deal from, the family will enjoy and I can say to my OH of course I need more cook books 😉

So I am going to choose a book a week from my collection, choose a lucky dip recipe and expand my repertoire. I will then blog about it with my thoughts and findings and rate each dish out of 10, for taste, ease and likely hood of me creating it again.

Bring on my #cookfromthebooks challenge………..watch this space.

Jan2

Animal magic !

Posted on January 2, 2014 by larosilla

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We’ve always been surrounded by animals, and over the years since living on the mountain we have experienced many different kinds, birds, pigs, goats, ducks, hens, dogs & cats. They all add to the lifestyle of mountain madness, but we love it 🙂

One of the saddening things in Spain, is the amount of abandoned animals or unwanted pets, often a country without the same thoughts as ourselves towards pets and our four legged friends.

Locally there are several extremely hardworking charities, trying to make a huge difference by offering foster care, veterinary care and forever homes for these poor animals. Axarquia Animal Rescue was set-up a few years back for this such cause and many people work tirelessly to give a little hope, get waggy tails back & purring pussycats .

We’ve rescued many cats over the years here, and our delightful and characterful Water Dog ‘Rizo’ , who has a penchant for gather items that don’t belong to her into bed. Slippers, socks, wellies and this morning an empty plastic ‘Cruzcampo’ bottle, suppose she thought after the Christmas excesses if you can’t beat’em, join’em ;).

Many of the ‘Foster Volunteers’ of the AAR were full to bursting, or needing time off to visit families and friends over the festive period, so we decided to give them a helping hand. ‘Red’ a rescued and abandoned dog, needed a warm bed a friendly family, until a Forever home was found, so he came to stay at La Rosilla, only for 10 days though because the committee again pulled out all the stops, and Reds luck had changed and he was off to a life in new climes and to his new family in Germany. So just a stop gap was needed, a little time and breathing space.

‘RED’

Now we have ‘Fanny’ who we have taken in, from a kind local man, who just can’t cope anymore with all his animals . Fanny was living in a goat pen, with yes goats of course, and 15 other hunting dogs, needless to say this was all too much for her. She needed some TLC a lap to lie on, vetinary care and a chance to feel big for her boots, she’s coming along nicely 😉

‘FANNY’

Next to join our menagerie is ‘Tikka’ a 20 year old pony on loan from our friend. A chance for my youngest daughter to learn the ropes of Horse-care, not just the glory of going riding. Tikka, has a HUGE personality, feisty I think would be a good description, so she really is putting us through our paces !!! fortunately in the paddock, she is calm and fun, and Nell is enjoying grooming, plaiting, feeding and even mucking out. Our daily treks our eventful, we’re still to prove to her ‘Tikka’ that is we’re the bosses….in fact she suits Nell’s personality to a tee !

So our family to date : Mum, Dad, 3 baby Drake’s (our kids) , Spencer the English Springer Spaniel, Rizo the Water Dog, Baba ganoush our tabby, Fanny the Yorkshire Terrier, Rocket the roof cat (doesn’t like being inside, has a handmade house on the roof), 4 hens & 1 pony.

So the entertaining and hospitality at La Rosilla over the festive season has been extended, busy, hectic but full of memory moments. Us humans did well too, of course indulging, making merry and not forgetting dancing on the tables, that goes without saying.

If you think you could offer an animal a foster or forever home, or spare a few pennies to help in their continued care, it would be most appreciated. You don;t have to be living in Spain to help. Please click here.

Dec16

Family traditions.

Posted on December 16, 2013 by larosilla

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When I moved into my first brand new starter home with my soon to be husband 20 years ago, I was so excited about having our very own Christmas tree, in our little lounge. Like everything else in the house it was new and modern, and I wanted my tree to match, minimalist to the max, just white lights and white ribbons, how very then 😉

My tastes soon changed as we moved to a much larger old Georgian house, and our family expanded, we wanted to create a family tradition that would evoke memories, be fun and show our personalities over the years.

So each year, each of us chooses a new tree decoration, nobody is allowed to comment on each others choices, sometimes very hard for me 😉 and from over the years we now have an eclectic tree, full of colour and happy and joyful memories.

This years choices, animals playing a heavy part !

My OH always seems to choose animals, we’ve had a bear, owl, squirrel and even a gheko, I’m sure he chooses them just to wind me up ! Mine are normally pink and sparkly or food related or hand crafted. One of my favourites was for the year of a 3rd daughters 1st Christmas, a friend made a papier mache baby wrapped in swaddling.

Supper is always bubbling away as we busily deck the halls, a hearty one pot wonder ready to be enjoyed, when our home is twinkling in all it’s glory. It’s amazing as we decorate the tree, singing carols and we find each ornament how we can remember the year and what we were doing, a wonderful tradition, that I hope my children will continue with theirs.

Dec13

What’s your tipple ?

Posted on December 13, 2013 by larosilla

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Being jumped on at the crack of dawn, that late if we’re lucky, by the children on Christmas Morn, the passing of the yard arm seems an age away. A little snifter, early doors helps get the day off to fine fettle.

In passed years, we would quaff a Mimosa or Bellini, but after a stint at The Good Food Show last year, the morning tipple to get you over the day and night before was a healthy, vitamin providing, head clearing and oomph giving Bloody Mary, and know I’m hooked. Not everyday day hooked I hasten to add ! but on special occasions, don’t mind if I do 🙂

Salud, good health and bottoms up !

Here’s how to create it !

In a large jug fill it 1/3 full of Vodka

add 2/3 of Tomato Juice

Add a good dash of Tabasco & Worcestershire Sauce

Season with pepper & celery salt

Stir well.

Pour into large glasses over ice, add a stick of celery and a slice of lemon.

After a full festive morning of activities, and whilst I happily potter in my kitchen, ‘I know my place 😉 preparing the days feast I’ll then add to my 5 a day intake with a Pom Punch or Pom Royale, both with freshly squeezed pomegranate juice.

For the Pom Punch – Squeeze the juice of 1 orange & one pomegranate, reserving a few seeds for decoration pour into a glass of crushed ice and top up with vodka and add a sprig of mint.

Pom Punch

For the Pom Royale, In a champagne flute add your freshly squeezed Pom juice and top up with Cava or Champers.

Well that’s got me through to lunch time, what to sip next ?

La Rosilla Lifestyle

Life on a mountain in Andalucia.

Category Archives: Life Style Spain

#cookfromthebooks week 6 (Weather week & TV gone)

BUEN PROVECHO

Countryside cooking.

What a difference a day makes !

Barbour & Hunters.

La Bodega

#cookfromthebooks Week 3

SPICY MUSHROOM ‘N’ CHICKPEA BURGERS

PORK SPARE RIBS

BUEN PROVECHO

Cook from the books !

Animal magic !

Family traditions.

What’s your tipple ?

BUEN PROVECHO

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SPICY MUSHROOM ‘N’ CHICKPEA BURGERS

PORK SPARE RIBS

BUEN PROVECHO

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