May14

Summer has arrived .

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Summer has arrived, we are always waiting for the heat to be turned on , but funny when it does we never seem to be ready for it.

After a very mild and dry winter, we were taken by surprise a few weeks a go by a week of cold and rain, the mountain and gardens and land needed it so much, and absorbed every last drop with a sigh of relief, I on the other hand had reserved this time to start the annual paint-a-thon at La Rosilla to prepare my finca to its summer glory , well this had to wait..So last week after everything had dried out, and the heat had been switched back on ,out came the brushes and off to paint I went. I’m so glad I live remotely sometimes, as I paint in little more than sunglasses and a hat , If I hear a car on the track, I dive for cover 😉

During the spell of wetness, I held a Greek Supperclub night, I wanted to transport my guests to warm & sunnier climes to come, on my menu were stuffed vine leaves, days before my event I was willing my vine to grow, for it’s green fresh leaves were needed for delectable Dolmades. So on the morning I stood precariously on my stall and picked the largest leaves I could find, then rolled into cigars and blanched before being filled with a rice, and vegetable stuffing, then baked with tomatoes and home grown olive oil to marinate. They were a delight.

Vine Leaves ready for blanching .

Dolamades

The flowers are in their full glory, hollyhock flowers are bursting open with shades of palest yellow to deepest red , Roses are in bloom and my cottage cornflowers with my favourite blue are just beginning to show their colour.

Summer alfresco eating will now be enjoyed to the max, with cooking outside becoming the norm, Paellas , BBQ’s and more..the terrace at La Rosilla will welcome it’s first guests of the season 🙂

It’s this time of year I think ‘Yes this is why we’re here’ .

 

Bring on the Mojitos 😉

La Rosilla is available for rent this summer – Just a few weeks remaining.

click here for more info.

Apr22

Malaga museum & meanderings.

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It was with honor myself & my dear friend Lisa @familyinSpain were chosen to represent Costawomen as one of the influential foreign residents groups of Anadalucia at the prestigious reception at the Inspiring Carmen Thyssen Gallery in Malaga.

 

Tour of Carmen Thyssen

PRESS RELEASE

THE CARMEN THYSSEN MUSEUM WELCOMES INTERNATIONAL GROUPS FROM THE COSTA DEL SOL

The leaders and senior members of some of the most important foreign residents’ associations on the Costa del Sol attended

Malaga, April 19th 2012:Yesterday the Carmen Thyssen Museum held a reception for representatives of some of the international societies and associations on the Costa del Sol. Almost 40 representatives from these groups were welcomed to the art gallery by the managing director, Francisco Javier Ferrer and the artistic director, Lourdes Moreno. During the afternoon event, the guests were given information about the Museum and its Collection, including the new temporary exhibition ‘Paradises and Landscapes in the Carmen Thyssen Collection. From Brueghel to Gauguin’, which runs until 7th October.

Foreign residents reception.

The location of the museum in the historical and dramatic centre of Malaga, is the perfect backdrop for such inspiring works of art, the palace itself is a calming oasis, allowing the visitor to absorb the moment and feel of the pieces.

Making the most of the invitation allowed for a day in the city, leaving the Montes behind, I took the excellent bus service from Colmenar to Malaga city, to meet Lisa for a spot of sightseeing, exploring, lunching & sipping. Most of the time many off us are guilty of just hopping in the car, and going from A to B, but today no, on foot we went, and walked & walked some more. Our meeting point and first port of call, was the colourful and buzzing Food market ‘Atarazanas’ daily market where the freshest produce, vegetables, fruits, bread and the catch of the day., were all displayed to perfection, a hive of activity and a heaven for a ‘foodie’ like me, tasters were offered to us of locally cured olives, and almonds freshly roasted. Tapas and Copas were being enjoyed as shoppers rested their feet & bags.

We wondered through the old city, me leading the way, with Lisa my ever trusty photographer following to the rear snapping as she went. (view photos here) Shops full of with flamenco flair, haberdasheries bursting to their seems, cafe culture being enjoyed to the max in the warm spring sunshine.

Of course we were building up a hunger and a thirst that needed quenching, and we do like to centre our day with sampling the local cuisine, well it would be rude not to 😉 , we headed to Plaza Merced, birth place of Picasso, and decided on Citrus as our watering hole. The menu del dia, was modern and fresh and served with style, We both chose a Mozzarella and Sun- dried tomato salad with olives and Mustard dressing, my main was poached chicken with an apple puree and cous-cous, light and moist Lisa had seared Tuna on a butternut squash risotto,

Lunch at Citrus

dessert was unusual, ‘Migas de bizococho’ translates as cake crumbs, with yoghurt and raspberry salsa. 8.50 euros per person food value doesn’t get better than this.

We decided to walk off our lunch before taking coffee & cake 😉 Malaga film festival was being prepared and the red carpet was laid in the dramatic and elegant street of Calle Larios, street performers added to the ambiance.

 

We strolled then to the reception at the gallery, to be welcomed by an informative talk , and guided around the museum and its new exhibition ‘Landscapes & Paradises’ by the most informative and interesting guide, after we were invited to drinks and Tapas.

I am not a city girl, but I do love a day out on the town, and Malaga never disappoints me a cosmopolitan air, with traditional roots and feel of days gone by.

With aching feet Lisa & I bid each other farewell, I returned to my mountain & La Rosilla looking forward to re-discover Malaga another day.

Mar31

Views in the Hills.

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A dream that you dream alone is only a dream. A dream you dream TOGETHER is a reality – John Lennon.

The theme of my blog is Food & Lifestyle – I think the two blend seamlessly together, well they do in my life on the ‘Mountain’ anyway.

 When I left the U.K some 7 years ago, I was waved off by an army of friends, acquaintances & colleagues, and was presented with a book of ‘Memories’ that had me in joyful tears, and still does to this day when I sit and turn it’s pages, poems, stories, dittos, sayings & photos all of which our family had been part of in the delightful community of Ettington in Warwickshire.

A community we were privileged to be part of, full of caring, selfless people. People who have carved a place in our heart & minds. A community full of giving & achieving good things for others. Experiences good & bad were shared and problems halved.

When I arrived in Spain, I presumed I would just slot in to the community, become part of, well that was harder than I thought, Yes we have attended and been invited to many of the Spanish traditions & festivities which we love &  have become part of our life here , but I have missed like-minded people, and friends like most I can count on 2 hands, but I thought there must be others out there who have positive attitudes, time to share & want to experience new and exciting moments.

Well some 18 months ago I came across Costawomen group on the web, this was my start into the fabulous world of Social media, Ali Meehan the founder too was on a mission to fulfill her dream to connect women across Spain, for Social and Business .

Inspired by Ali’s achievements and with her support, I thought

‘Lynsey it’s not going to come to you, so go out there & get it’

1 year ago I started La Rosilla book club, which has gone from strength to strength, we have a small but perfectly formed group, with newcomers joining us each month. Then last week partnered with another Twiend @stellamarklew, we embarked on our new project a womens group to reach out to ladies, in the hills, mountains, pueblos and Coast of Malaga & beyond. We have called it , *tongue in cheek* ‘Views from the Hills’ . I have been overwhelmed by the positive responses, feedback and the flood of new members wanting to join.

There was obviously a need, I’m just glad and pleased I could be part of the creation of it …

Here is an account from our first get together …

On a lovely sunny afternoon in Solano, 13 woman sat together on the terrace with a fantastic view over the valley and into the hills opposite. We had brought a huge variety of home-made cakes, biscuits, savouries and delicacies which we shared and delighted in – all washed down with copious cups of hot tea and coffee. Somewhere, a bottle of wine was smuggled in – but not seen again!

Some of us were old friends, some were friends just made and others were just getting to know one another but nevertheless, there was two hours of talk, laughter, sharing and ideas. Everyones goal seemed to be the same – “What can we do together? What can we share? There were such a variety of experiences and knowledge that it was easy to get sidetracked into peoples’ interests, jobs, lives and enthusiasms.

Lynsey and I explained the basic idea of getting together; a traveling group that meets wherever we agree to (volunteers for hosts always welcome) once per month for new experiences, talks, demonstrations, walks, picnics and other members suggestions.

and for my next dream …………………..

Mar31

To enjoy another day..

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Preserving fruits and vegetables, is the most glorious way to capture a moment and save the memory for another day.

When I open a jar of something that I have pickled , jammed or chutnied, I remember back to the time of year the ingredients were picked, the weather, & what was happening in my life – To open a jar of homemade Mint jelly or Sun-dried tomatoes, transports me back to warm summer, fun filled lazy days – When I open a jar of fig chutney, the end of summer  & autumnal scents

Boiling Lemons

and a time to begin routine once more springs to mind.

This week I have preserved a winter & springtime jewel, the Lemon, handpicked off our trees. Preserving lemons will allow me to use them in Summer dishes of Moroccan & arabesque flavour, as well as adding to a simple chicken for the most delicious roast.

My normal method to preserve lemons is very simple & cost effective, and lemons will be ready to use in a months or so time …

 

Method :

Scrub lemons and cut them into quarters but stopping before going all the way through.

Stuff the lemon with a tablespoon of sea salt.

Put the lemons into sterilised jam jars, stuffing them in.

Allow them lemons to purge overnight, then top up the jars with squeezed lemon juice, till the top of the jar.

Store until ready to use.

Preserving Lemons

A new method I tried this year I think will become my favourite – It was taken from the delightul book ‘Arabesque’ by Claudia Roden. This time I boiled the lemons whole, in water & salt until softened, then put them in jars with oil – I added herbs of fennel seed & cinnamon sticks, then I can use the oil too, for roasting vegetables.

Lemons in Oil & herbs.

Mar31

My new baby ‘Splodge’

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My New Baby ‘Splodge’

On a couple of attempts in the past I embarked on creating my first Sourdough, but without much success. I do not like to be beaten, and bread is one of my favourite pastimes, eating it & baking it, so this time I read & read some more about the natural wonder of creating a living ‘Thing’ from just flour & water and creating something comforting to share.

Having located some Organic whole wheat flour not that easy up in the Montes of southern Spain, I was ready to start, literally with my sourdough starter. Following one of my favourite sites River Cottage instructions, my flour & water was mixed and ‘Splodge’ was born, I marvel at the idea that a sourdough starter can live happily for years and years, just as long as it’s fed and watered….I joked with the children, I would leave splodge to them in my will, so they could create for the families in years to come, needless to say they looked at me as if finally yes, Mum has gone mad…..But as they tasted that first bite, warm from the oven, they began to ask questions, they then began to say ‘Mum, ‘Splodge is bubbling nicely’, ‘Mum shall I move Splodge to somewhere warm’ 😉 Now that’s more like it.

My first loaf, like many first attempts was not the perfect specimen, although tasted good, so practice will make perfect, I now, know I have to slit the top to let the bread rise, and turn the oven down after 10 minutes, to allow the inside to cook, before the crust is too firm, should’ve taken note of the instructions, but Supper time baking, gets a tad hectic..Loaf number 2 is on it’s second proving , before being baked tonight for a Supper of Bread, cheese & Wine…Simplicity at it’s finest.

First Attempts

Splodge is now doing nicely , I enjoy my little chats with it, even though one sided, but I’m sure they make all the difference to a happy loaf with a heart 😉

More great information and tips on Sourdough can be found here .

 

 

 

 

Mar16

Daily Bread, that would be nice !

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Daily Bread.

Oh how lovely to bake bread every day, In my dream life, that’s what I’d do, but in reality no can do. But I do indulge, when the time allows, and there is nothing more comforting than home made bread fresh out of the oven, the aroma is one of the worlds most favourite smells.

I remember 8 years back, when I was selling my house in the U.K freshly baked bread was a more regular occurrence, I’m sure it clinched the sale too 😉 That homely aroma, wafting through the house.

Baking bread actually is a simple affair, and nothing to be scared of, very few ingredients often in our cupboards, and even if it doesn’t make the grade on your first attempt it will still taste delicious.

Of all the dishes I make my visitors, friends & clients, they always ask ‘Home made bread ?’ I reply ‘Why of course’ ‘How wonderful, aren’t you clever’.

To share bread, dipped into Olive oil and a reduced vinegar, or slathered with creamy butter, or topped with a mature cheese, what can be better ?

I tend to add to my loaf, what ever I can find growing in the herb garden, or seeds, nuts or dried fruits form the store cupboard. I also make a huge loaf, you can’t beat the wow factor, or divided the dough into two, and freeze one for when time doesn’t allow.

This recipe if for Rosemary & Sun dried Tomato loaf.

1 kg of Strong white bread flour.

560-600 ml of Warm water.

2 Cubes of fresh yeast / or 2 sachets of fast action dried yeast.

1 tsp of Sugar

1 pinch of salt

1 glug of olive oil

1 small hand of rosemary leaves, chopped.

2 tbsp of Sun dried tomatoes drained and chopped roughly.

  • Put flour In a large bowl add salt.
  • Add yeast to the warm water with sugar allow to froth for 10 mins.
  • Make a well in the flour, and slowly add the water & oil, you may not need it all, bring the flour together to make a dough.
  • When the dough come into a ball, take out and knead in the rosemary & tomatoes.
  • Flour a surface and knead, & stretch for 10 mins smooth and elastic.
  • To test if you dough is kneaded enough, press your thumb into the dough and it should spring back, if not knead some more.
  • Lightly oil the large bowl, and place the dough in, cover with a damp cloth, and leave in a warm place to rise, until doubled in size. Approx 45 mins.
  • Once risen, punch the dough down, knead lightly on floured surface & shape into required shape & makes slashes with a sharp knife across the top, this will allow the dough to rise more.
  • Place on a lined baking sheet & cover once more with a damp cloth and allow to rise again. Approx 30 mins.
  • Heat oven to 175 degrees, once up to temperature, put a small oven proof bowl in bottom of oven with water in to create a steamy atmosphere. Add the loaf on the middle shelf, and cook for approx 30 – 4o mins.

The Loaf is ready when you tap the base and it sounds hollow.

La Rosilla Sun-dried Tomato & Rosemary Bread

Leave to cool, if you can wait.

Enjoy x

Mar7

Trumpet blowing.

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So lovely when visitors take time to write a review and say Thank-you, and that they’ve gone away with happy memories of their visit …

Subject: Lynsey’s Cooking Class

La Rosilla, Lynsey Drake’s cooking school, is a must for visitors to Spain.  My husband and I, Americans from Texas, met Lynsey in the mountain town of Colmenar, population 4,000, located about an hour from the Costa del Sol.  We chatted over coffee and sandwiches (Pitufu Catalana- Small roll with tomato, garlic, olive oil & Serrano ham) at the Hotel Belen, walked the streets of Colmenar, drinking in the flavor of the local people, shopped for chorizo and blood sausage at the factory and bread at the bakery.

Lynsey then drove us to her mountain home where on her sunny terrace we ate various cheeses and sausages and sampled sherries and olive oils.  We then proceeded to Lynsey’s kitchen where we helped prepare five Spanish dishes including paella and gambas pil pil for our dinner.  Lynsey’s husband, and their daughter,  a gracious teenager, joined us for our meal.

Tasting time .

After dinner they drove us back to Colmenar where we picked up our rental car and returned to the Coast.

What a delightful day experiencing life in a small Spanish town and a Spanish feast, a definite treat for visitors to Spain.

 

 

 

Feb21

From Campo to Costa

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Now don’t get me wrong I love the location of my ‘Finca’ La Rosilla nestled in the Montes de Malaga, with views to die for, but sometimes I feel the need to escape, throw a 6, and head to the bright lights, big city and the Costa. So to my delight my friend @stellaorbelies came to my rescue & said ‘ let’s hit the road ‘

So with sun streaming we drove Topless ( well with roof down 😉 ) into the city of Malaga to start our day, of chin wagging, lunching, and meeting some inspiring ladies.

The perfect day to stroll through the old city of Malaga, with street cafes full of friends and colleagues absorbing the sunshine and atmosphere. We shared Montaditos ( Little breads topped with amazing ingredients) Smoked Cod & Caramelised Onions, Goats cheese & Serrano and a Salad of fresh cheese, sundried tomatoes & basil dressing, washed down with a crisp white Rioja. Watching the world go by, and putting the worlds to rights, lunched and Cafe Solo’d up, Next Stop …

We met with Sharon Aldred who has set-up The Fashion Workshop, an inspiring place for people to learn, design & create all aspects of dressmaking, but focusing on recycling garments no longer worn or loved into design pieces of the future. So ‘I’ve got nothing to wear’ can be a phrase of the past.

Still ‘Topless’ note to self, must remember a hat, or hairbrush or rock hard hairspray next time.

Onto Jigsaw Design and to meet Lynne Armitage, who produces all business & personal printing solutions from business cards to invitations, but who in her spare time dedicates her life to the Girl Guiding Association, allowing youngsters in Spain the opportunity to be part of a historical movement, that is embracing times of change and the future.

Sun going down, roof up, hair remodeled, face repainted our last port of call, The Costawomen meeting, a fabulous network and social group created by Ali Meehan, (@costawomen) .  This for ladies all over Spain & beyond or dreaming of Spain to be part of a community. Costawomen offers guest speakers, events and motivational groups, book clubs and much more and is growing rapidly, Thanks to the hard work of Ali. It also provides a support group for many of us, who have left our home countries and friends & families.

So my 12 hour escape was over, my tongue wagged to tiredness,  my wine glass empty, time to return to the mountains and reflect- What a diverse land we live in, life is exciting and out there, just got to go out & find it.

 Thanks Stella, where we going topless together next time 😉 ?

 

 

 

 

 

Feb21

My life through the eyes of others.

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After our recent ‘Jolly’ to Cordoba, last Sunday morning, whilst laying in bed with a cuppa and my ‘Tablet’, well I can’t get a Sunday paper delivery in the mountains – back of beyond 1st on the right. I received an amazing email which went something like this

Hi Lynsey,

Recently in Cordoba Spain, you met our dear friends from Texas U.S.A in a restaurant, where you shared recipes & chatted. Well we’re from Texas arriving in Andalucia on Monday, and would love to visit you at La Rosilla, and attend your Cookery & Culture Day –

How cool was that. ?

So I speedily replied, and started planning, and juggling to be able to fit in a day in my already full ‘Foodie’ week .

My Cookery & culture day, allows guests, to experience a little of our life in rural,real Spain.

Why I love it, It makes me stop and think, it makes my appreciate why I’m here, it makes me see my life through the eyes of others, it allows us to share food, wine, stories and experiences, and enables me, and my family to meet a diverse and interesting array of people, all with one thing in common the love of food.

My guests were delightful, a 73 year old couple, we baked, stirred, whizzed, ate,sipped, & laughed together. They are making the most of their retirement and traveling from one ‘Foodie’ location to the next , what a life to aspire to.