Nov5

On my doorstep !

Posted on November 5, 2011 by larosilla

Living in the Montes de Malaga, a daily spectacle we are fortunate to see are the goats grazing on the mountainside, and being ushered along by their faithful shepherds, leaving a trail of goat devastation about them. One of the first things my baby daughter learned to say in Spanish was ‘Cabras’ , often as we drive the mountain roads, and turn blind corners we are met head on by a herd of goats casually wandering and going about their hunt for food.

The benefits of the herds naturally wandering, means their food they consume, is full of wild goodness, thus resulting in milk rich and plentiful.

My local town of Colmenar, makes the best from this milk, in way of fabulous Goats cheese, and on my doorstep, the milk is collected daily from farmers of the co-operative and from the length and breadth of the Axarquia , to the ‘fabrica de quesos‘ the cheese factory in the town.

Yesterday I was fortunate to accompany the inspiring Axalingua language school on their tour of the factory and a behind the scenes view, of the cheese production. Hand made cheeses and a small factory keeping the local produce alive.

Donning my protective and hygienic robes, we were showed all forms of production, from the milk arrival to the storing & curing to the packaging.

After our visit of the factory, we were invited to sample the delicious cheese.

Four types of cheese are produced,

Queso Fresco, a soft, white young cheese, made one day eaten the next, ideal for aperitifs, and desserts, and used in salads. I love it cubed mixed with ripe tomatoes, olives sliced red onions, a sprinkle of salt & dried wild oregano and drizzled with balsamic syrup.

Semicurado – This is a cheese that is left to cure for 1 to 3 months, increasing in flavour and hardening, and ideal cheese foe everyday use.

Leche Cruda- A cheese of intense aromas and flavour, conserving all the natural properties of the goats milk.

Curado – My favourite a strong, hard cheese left to cure for many months to harden, it almost has a light spicy flavour. Enjoyed on its own in all it’s glory alongside a crisp cold fino.

I love to keep these cheeses in my fridge, along with some local membrillo (quince paste) , and if we have impromptu guests, we have the perfect tapa, and a real taste of our home in the ‘Montes de Malaga’.

Nov2

#escapetovejer

Posted on November 2, 2011 by larosilla

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A change is as good as a rest, and with a few challenges of late, I jumped at the chance to escape for a few days. To spend time with friends, eat with friends, cook with friends, explore with friends and last but not least to sip with friends of course ! All of these being a few of my favourite things .

So a mini road trip was planned and with my Thelma by my side aka the lovely Lisa from @familyinspain we abandoned our duties and made our #escapetovejer. (search on twitter)

Windows down, sun-shining, tunes playing, tweeting #escapetovejer started, tongues wagging, well according to Lisa probably just my tongue wagging, we made our coastal journey from the Costa del Sol to Costa de la Luz. Stopping in a favourite haunt of us both, for a wave washing coffee in the chill out Tarifa. Waves crashed against the chiringuito walls spectacularly backed by a sky so blue, suitably revived from an afternoon caffeine shot, feet wet (this is what happens when you film big waves ) and raring to go we continued on, eagerly looking forward to our arrival in Vejer de la Frontera.

Being tweeted by our fellow week-end companion @cookinginspain the delectable Annie B, that our champagne was chilled and a view off the roof terrace was ready and waiting, there was nothing to stop us.

Vejer de la Frontera of Cadiz is a beautiful town, perched high upon a hill, cobbled, narrow streets, a ‘Foodie’ heaven and would be our home for the next few days.

Parked at the bottom of town, we hauled our suitcases and wicker baskets full of goodies to share (never have grasped the art of traveling light), on our uphill climb to Annie B’s Spanish Kitchen. Lisa nicknamed David Bailey, stopped at every conceivable twist & turn of the walk, to take photos, although I jibed, I appreciated the stop to gather my breath (note to self *GET FIT) .

On arrival it was Tattinger on the terrace, enjoyed with Moroccan dips of carrot & preserved lemons, and courgette & feta, and the start of a weekend with my mentor and friend Annie. To indulge in food and wine talk, to share recipes, and notes on ‘foodie’ places visited for a whole week-end . I was in heaven.

For supper we moved to the wonderful kitchen, where I donned Annie’s apron and cooked a favourite starter dish for my friends – Morcilla, Apple & Cane honey, quaffed with countless bottles of fine wine. Annie had marinated some chicken in lemon and Moroccan spices and this was cooked under the stars on the BBQ and musical tables was played and we took our poolside positions, to enjoy the rest of our meal, amazing to sit outside on a late Octobers Eve.

Retiring to bed, full, happy & content ….

The next couple of days, followed the same indulgent pattern, Visiting the intriguing Barbate fish market to buy amazingly fresh caught fish, to turn into delicious dishes on return to the kitchen. Local farmers and housewives, lay out little tables to sell their produce, herbs picked from the countryside and dried, tiny live camarones wiggling away, bought by the cupful, to turn into tasty little treats like Tortitas de camarones. The fruit and veg stalls were piled high only with seasonal produce, bursting with all types of pumpkins & squash, cauliflowers, sweet potatoes , chestnuts and walnuts all the flavours of Autumn and the first Mandarinas of the season, fresh picked adorned too with their shiny green leaves.

Dishes we created in the kitchen were enjoyed with a lazy lunch in the courtyard by the pool. Arroz Negro, a Spanish black rice dish with cuttlefish & prawns, tinted by the blackest unctuous ink from the Cuttlefish – Not a dish to eat on a first date, as I found out when my follow diners, said “is my mouth as black as yours Lynsey “ Oh yes I replied – ‘I don’t think so’ they giggled. My whole mouth was stained black, my teeth , my gums, my lips – How attractive, very fitting for Halloween !!!

We took our siesta in the afternoon sun, and curled up on the sofa in the evening, P. J’s on, T.V in the background, chatting until the early hours, sipping Cocktails of Vodka, Pomegranate & OJ , and nibbling on Goats cheese and sun dried tomato paste. The joys of a ‘Girls night in’

Sunday morning lethargy was upon us, a plate of vitamin and energy boosting fruit was needed, and deftly prepared by Annie, juicy Mangoes, pomegranate seeds and a squeeze of lime, & Ginger and lemon tea, to aid our digestion, preparing us for more culinary treats, later in the day.

We needed to do a little exercise, walk off the calories, so we explored Vejer de la Frontera by foot, expertly guided around the cobbled streets, buttress walls, taking in the Moorish architecture. Bustling with people on this fine Sunday, dressed in Sunday best, from church and meeting friends for Alfresco lunches.

We ended our #escapetovejer with lunch, of course why not ? 😉 at the enchanting Califa Hotel in the Plaza de Espana – a hugely Moroccan influenced menu, all delicately spiced, each mouth fall bursting with flavours – The finish a necessary cafe solo, and a to die for Date Cheesecake with 3 spoons 😉

Inspired, relaxed and full to bursting #escapapetovejer I loved you…

Thank-you to my week-end companions, I promise next time I’ll let you get a word in edgeways.

Oct24

Girl Guide Motto – Be Prepared ;)

Posted on October 24, 2011 by larosilla

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I always thought my early years as a Brownie and later as a Girl guide, would bode me well in the future.

Be prepared and all that !!!

But every winter or start of, I think my brain fuddled from the heat of the summer, forgets my past and all it’s promises to do my best.

We know its coming, the first rains that is, one things for sure in Spain, the expat in us still likes to think of the weather first and foremost, so it’s our daily morning ritual to check the forecast. But complacent we are , with our high temperatures & clear skies, we think the rains are a novelty, ‘Oh the land needs it’ we say, ‘No rain for 4 months, it’ll be a refreshing change’. We live in denial of the coming winter months, thinking they’ll never arrive, but they do, oh do they…

and guess what we’re never prepared.

Where has my view gone ?

So today as I sit typing away , jeans on for the first time in months, hearing lashing rains on my roof, and seeing pouring rains running under my doors..no we don’t have gutters or weather strips, just lovely rustic wooden doors ;), with electricity on & off, no satellite signal . With winds gusting, so I feel like I’m in Oz, and branches crashing all about . I sit and think ‘Is this living the dream’ …you bet it is …how dull life would be if it were all the same.

There’s just one thing it calls for on a day like this, comfort food, so with our supper bubbling on the stove, filling the house with aromas and warmth. It’s homework time by candle light….

I would share the recipe, but sorry got fallen trees to move….next time x

Now where are my Hunters & Barbour……………………..

Oct17

Welcome to your home away from home!!

Posted on October 17, 2011 by larosilla

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A glowing write-up from a recent guest, all the way from Australia.

Welcome to your home away from home!

A food connoisseur’s dream and suitable for all ages. This tour was the highlight of my time spent in Andalucía. There were many things to see and experience that a typical tourist would miss out on.

The day started in Colmenar, where Lynsey met me and took me out to a traditionally scrumptious Spanish breakfast. After that we took a tour of Colmenar Town before heading back home for our cooking session. The recipes were simple but full of flavour.

After an olive oil tasting we indulged in our 4 course meal of Gambas (prawns) pil pil, beetroot gazpacho, albondigas (meatballs) and of course a dessert, orange and almond torte. This went down really well with a bottle of local wine and while soaking in the views. What an afternoon!

After being fully indulged, I retired to ‘La Casa Media Luna,’ a nearby bed & breakfast for a typical Spanish siesta. More spectacular views, a beautifully presented clean room and bathroom to myself, pool and dance studio! Tango lessons are available to immerse even more into the Spanish culture.

After a well-deserved rest and good night’s sleep we were back to our touring. This time off to Comares, the highest village in the area. There we saw the whole valley from the lookouts, explored the shops and indulged for another scrumptious 3 course lunch in a local restaurant. Lynsey’s description of the area, the people and customs gave me an excellent understanding of the local community.

Once again I retired back to the Bed & Breakfast to relax for the afternoon then later was time for the Paella demonstration.

What an amazing and versatile dish. A dish of many flavours and Lynsey taught me many different ways it can be prepared. Another bottle of local wine and another evening of pure indulgence! What a fantastic way to enjoy the flavours of Spain and see some spectacular countryside. All the recipes were nicely bundled into a souvenir pack for home. I can’t wait to share these experiences and recipes with family and friends!

-Jasmine, Australia.

To enjoy real Spain, like traveling & exploring with friends, love cooking traditional dishes & enjoying them in a unique surroundings ???? Why not come and try a Cookery & Culture day at La Rosilla.

Oct14

The jewel of Autumn.

Posted on October 14, 2011 by larosilla

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Who can but desire the luscious juiciness, of the ruby red seeds from a Pomegranate – Like Gemstones, glistening, awaiting to adorn dishes, with the jewel like presence.

Pomegranates (Granadas) I believe are the jewel of autumn, just as some of us take to hibernation, the beautiful pomegranate hangs from it’s tree, tempting us with its ripeness, with hues of colour from peach to scarlet.

In Ancient Greece it was thought of a symbol of prosperity and ambition . The Moors renamed the wonderful ancient city of Granada after the precious fruit, and Spanish colonists introduced the fruit to the Caribbean and Latin America.

On our mountain as the first fruits appear to ripen, my children scramble over the shrub-land, to be the first to bagsy their autumn treasure. Their favourite way to indulge, just tear open, and pick the seeds (arils) out one by one – Natures ‘Sweet’ shop :), My daughters have always thought of them as flower fairies crown jewels.

I remember my Mother telling me a story, when she was young and after her first week at work as a florist, she walked through the ‘Bullring’ market in the centre of Birmingham, and on a stall she saw the unusual fruit, and the ruby seeds. She spent her first pay packet on a Pomegranate for her mother, my Nan, who sat with a pin and enjoyed this new tropical fruit.

There are so many uses for pomegranates here are a few of my favourites ;

Pomegranate Raita –

A cooling yoghurt salsa to go with a spicy curry.

A pot of Greek yoghurt thinned with a little milk.

Seeds of a pomegranate

½ a cucumber chopped

a pinch of salt

a small handful of fresh mint leaves – chopped finely

a small handful of coriander – chopped finely

Mix all together – Simple.

Jeweled Cous-Cous

To be enjoyed with rich Moroccan dishes.

Serves 4

250 grammes of Cous Cous

Veg Stock made with 250 ml Boiling water

Seeds of a pomegranate

Handful of pinenuts lightly toasted in a dry pan

Bag of spinach

Squeeze of lemon

Prepare the cous cous, with the veg stock, and let stand for 5 mins, then fluff up with a fork.
Wilt the spinach, in a pan with a little water, once wilted drain and squeeze out etc moisture, chop up.
Add to cous-cous.
Add pinenuts, and pomegranate.
Stir to mix.

Decant into a pretty bowl, and squeeze the juice of a lemon over.

Or for a decadent tipple, try a

Pom Royale

Juice a pomegranate and put a teaspoon into the bottom of a Champagne fruit, with a few seeds too.
Top with Cava, Prosecco or Champagne.

Salut !

So if you suffer from ‘S.A.D’ or the winter blues are upon you, break open a pomegranate, and let its health giving properties benefit your body & its ruby richness, put a smile on your face.

Oct5

My Paella Pan !

Posted on October 5, 2011 by larosilla

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This is my guest post as featured on the Cooking Outdoors blog . So much fun sharing recipes & experiences around the world. You can follow The Outdoor Cook on Twitter here @cookingoutdoors.

Paella or Arroces, have become part of my families’ new life, since emigrating from the U.K to Andalucia Spain 7 years ago.

Paella is a dish prepared with love and gusto, to be shared with family, friends & neighbours. It is a dish offered in most Ferias of Spain throughout the year, and comes in many guises depending on the area of Spain you live in. From the traditional Paella Valenciana, with meat & seafood, to modern-day arroces (rices) & paellas adjusted to use what it is in season, or to suit the diners.

Paelleras (paella pans) range in size from a 4 portions to massive pans measuring meters across, to feed a whole town. This giant paella is a spectacular cooking outdoor event, when people gather from far around, to watch and taste the local dish. Cooked above a wood fire, these experts tend their giant pans of rice, meat & stock, until the dish is ready, rested and waiting to be devoured. Often taking hours to prepare & cook, eaten in moments.

I like to cook my Paella on a warm summer evenings just as the sun is setting over the mountains. I usually cook a 15 portion Paella, as leftovers are delicious. I use a large pan and special Paella gas burner, which make it very portable, and I can cook anywhere, beach, camping & picnics.

It is a very social affair, often friends gather around the ring whilst cooking, many times offering their suggestions or preferences and expertise for the perfect Paella.

A favorite with my Family is Chicken, chorizo, asparagus and wild mushroom.

Based on 15 servings:

The secret is to have all ingredients ready prepared, so you are ready to cook.

Ingredients

Olive oil

1kg of chicken pieces / skin off – Bone-in fine

1 large chorizo sausage, skinned and cut into 1 cm slices.

1 glass of white wine.

1 onion – diced

1 head of garlic, peeled and sliced

1 green pepper – diced

1 red pepper – diced

Handful of fresh thyme

1 dried ‘Nora’ pepper

1.5 kg paella rice ‘calasparra’

1 large tin of tomatoes

Saffron

2 sachets of Paella seasoning or ½ tsp each of Paprika, turmeric, fenugreek.

2 litres chicken stock

1 hand of Asparagus, trimmed.

500 g mixed fresh wild mushroom or preserved in brine

Lemon to decorate

Preparation

Prepare the chicken by marinating in olive oil, thyme, slat and pepper.

Make up stock and add saffron to infuse.

Put a layer of Olive oil in your Paella Pan to cover the bottom.

Heat gently, add your whole Nora pepper, then chicken and thyme.

Brown the meat nicely, then stir and fry 10 mins.

Remove the Nora pepper

Add onion, garlic and peppers – Fry for 5 mins until soft.

Add chopped mushrooms and Chorizo – fry for 2/3 mins

Add tinned toms, and break up in pan, add white wine & stir & bubble.

Season with Salt & pepper

Stir in seasoning / spices.

Add handfuls of rice around the pan, to let rice absorb some of the juices, stir.

Pour in stock and saffron, stir so rice is distributed evenly.

Simmer for 5 – 6 mins then reduce heat to medium low.

DO NOT STIR ANYMORE cook for 20/25 mins until all liquid absorb, you may need to add a little more – you want you rice to be ‘al dente’.

5 mins before end of cooking, lay the Asparagus on the top in a circle, it will cook in the steam.

Turn off heat, and cover with a clean cloth, foil or as sometimes in Spain newspaper, to rest and flavor infuse.

Decorate the edge of the pan with lemon wedges, and sprinkle on some more fresh thyme.

Buen Provecho x

Oct5

Cooking in the great outdoors .

Posted on October 5, 2011 by larosilla

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Cooking outdoors, in the fresh air, is a part of our life since moving from the U.K to Spain some years ago, that has become a regular affair, and something that we never take for granted.

You can’t beat that hunter- gatherer feel, back to basics, fresh ingredients, the smell of wood burning on the bbq or Sardines releasing their oh so Spanish seaside smell into the air.

When we have a day in the garden, or should I say on the mountain, chopping logs, pruning, preparing for winter, there’s nothing better than, making a pan of ‘Patatas al lo pobre ‘ a local dishe of potatoes, peppers onions , garlic cooked in stock, wine (maybe my addition) & vinegar, on the gas stove, and cooking some chorizo on the bbq, to eat with chunks of bread, washed down with some local Hooch.

Patatas a lo Pobre at La Rosilla

The children’s obligatory marshmallows on the barby treat for after’s, gives them as-well the necessary boost to finish the jobs they started…

All over the world, there are many outdoor cooking styles to be enjoyed and shared, my friend at Cooking Outdoors, believes in getting out of the kitchen, lighting the fire & start cooking outdoors, and reading his blogs, he shares some delightful recipes.

Enjoy the Autumn outside, don’t hibernate indoors 🙂

Sep30

Getting back into routine !

Posted on September 30, 2011 by larosilla

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Food is always high on my agenda, sharing, creating & of course eating. I’m always finding new recipes to try, scouring magazines for inspiration, aswell as being asked by friends and family for mine.

I’ve collated on scraps of paper, favourite recipes over the summer from visitors . I’ve also been fortunate enough to meet clients from far flung places, happy to indulge my passion and whet my appetite with their superb dishes too.

Over the summer, with full on bookings for Classes, luxury food deliveries & my ‘Supperclub” on the terrace, posting recipes seem to have been put on my back burner !

Well hopefully now, as routine slowly gets back into shape, now children are back at school, all birthdays are finished, well In our family anyway and my last visitors leave on Monday I can start once again to do all the ‘foodie’ things I enjoy.

Just a couple of recipes that are easy family favourites that I have cooked and created for guests and clients of La Rosilla, and that I have sent to my ‘Mum’ when she was having a meltdown, as she was having friends to stay for the week-end, and just didn’t know what to cook…

I hope you like them too…

Smoked Salmon Pate & Rye

Serves 4

1 packet of full fat cream cheese

200 gr of Smoked Salmon chopped

Zest of a lemon & juice of ½ a lemon

snipped chives

½ a Red onion finely chopped

1 tbsp of Whole grain mustard

a pinch of salt

Packet of Rye bread & Cucumber to serve.

Mix all the above ingredietnst together, for a smooth consitency use a blender.

Put into a pretty serving bowl, and decorate with smoked slamon lemon & chives.

Cut Rye bread into traingles & slice cucumber to decorate plate.

Beef in Red wine

• 1kg braising beef (cubed)

• Bacon lardons – Or thick cut bacon cut into pieces

• Baby mushrooms left whole

• 1 large onion – Chopped

• 2 carrots chopped

• Shallots / Baby Onions – peeled left whole

• 2 tbspPlain flour

• 1 bottle of red wine

• Small tin of Tomato Puree

• Cranberry Sauce

• 2 tbsp plain flour

• ½ pt Beef stock

• Bay leaf & bouquet garni

Make in large Casserole dish with lid.

• Pan fry the bacon until crispy, remove from pan

• Add olive oil to pan and brown the beef, a little at a time so it browns nicely, not

steams.

• Add onion & carrot and fry

• Sprinkle with plain flour and stir and cook out flour for about 2 mins, will brown.

• Add bacon back in.

• Pour on whole bottle of red stirring to get all the juicy bits off the bottom for flavour.

• Add tomato puree & beef stock

• Pop in a 2 bay leaves & bouquet garni.

• Lots of seasoning.

Cook slowly for 2 hours in the oven with lid on.

Then add baby onions & mushrooms – cook for another hour.

It may need extra cooking just check, and when beef is tender it’s done.

A tip, when its finished cooking stir in 2 tbsp of cranberry sauce, it’s yum.

Good luck & Buen Provecho

Sep30

New residents at La Rosilla or should I say visitors ? ;)

Posted on September 30, 2011 by larosilla

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Bumping in to my elderly ‘campesino neighbour Antonio in the local town of Colmenar, he began to chat with me in his deepest Andaluz tongue, something with him now after 7 years I can just about understand. I managed to decipher ‘Your mountain & land’ and the world “Mules’.

Yes, yes I agreed, Mules would be good, to eat the shrubbery, nodding vigorously and agreeing that the land would look like the pavement he was pointing to, smooth & flat after they had done their work.

What I didn’t know I had agreed too, was that evening having two giant Mules delivered and tethered to my olive trees to go about their business. Funny thing was they were bought in the pitch black, so my dogs were in a frenzy, we too were also wondering who on earth was brave enough or stupid enough, to go mountaineering in the pitch black without a torch.

A few minutes later, after a yodel to Miguel (said owner of the mules) I confirmed, yes OK I will temporarily be a mule sitter .

Well Hercules & Conejo (Rabbit , don’t ask me !) seem placid, and are making light work of clearing the land. I’m getting very fond of them, the children too, I’m sure the novelty factor may wear off after the first rains, or when the temperature drops..but hopefully by then they should be homeward bound – Dedos cruzados ! (fingers crossed)