Apr30

From across the pond.

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It’s a joy to share what I love with guests that visit – A little of my life, the flavour and the dishes of the mountains.

This year so far, all my visitors for La Rosilla’s ‘Cookery & Culture’ day , have come from America, all corners of the States.  In fact I would like to get a big map on the world and put a pin in each place, visitors come from . Not only do they experience a taste of our family life on the mountain, we get a taste of theirs.  Recipes, traditions and lifestyles are chatted about, whilst they sample, create, sip and and enjoy some of ours.  They have all been intrepid travelers, making the most of their short time in Andalucia, and definitely not concerned about driving and exploring and going off the beaten track to take a peek .

Cookery Class

My guests usually are traveling to celebrate, birthdays, anniversaries, time out and just generally creating memory moments to take back home.

Ages have ranged from mother and 14 year old daughter having a girly day together whilst the ‘boys’ went to the car museum, husband and wife taking the unique experience for their 25th anniversary. One couple celebrating retirement and wanting to learn some new dishes for the party they were going to give friends when back in Texas.  A family group of 3 generations all linked by their ‘foodie’ love creating giant paella, whilst sipping sherry and tasting cheese and chorizos , on their way home they stopped to buy there own pan , they were determined to get in their case.-

Cookery Class La Rosilla

I just adore the way good food and great company bring people together, my children now have been fortunate to meet some fascinating people from all over the world and learn from it , it also makes them and us aware that where we live is special, and how we live is dreamed of by many.

Cookery Class La Rosilla

 

 

Apr5

A smile in the rain.

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Apparently this is the last of it, so my own ‘Weddar‘ man my OH keeps telling me – The rain that is.  Come on sunshine pop your hat on !

Walking up our mountain track this morning we couldn’t see a hand in front of us, let alone our view to die for.  It was eerie, not raining but we were in the clouds.  Then the clouds turned to rain.  Trying to look on the bright side, and I was already damp from the mist, and went on a little jaunt around the land, to see what was enjoying the weather and soaking it up.

To my delight my beloved fig tree’s leaves as I thought on first glance were growing as I looked, but also on its old wood branches for the first time ever, it is full of ‘Brevas’ .  Brevas are the 1st crop of figs on a tree, my tree has never produced them before and after 8 years, it is now rewarding me – So I won’t have to wait until late summer for my normal fruitful crop to indulge in the food of the gods 🙂

Brevas first crop figs.

I smiled in the rain.

My favourite fig recipe.

Apr3

A walk on the wildside.

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The whole family is back together with No1 daughter back from college in the U.K for her Easter break, so hectic life resumes.  Supper-times are loud, vocal and opinions fly, just how I like it 😉 Even my OH gets home for supper now with his new job, not sure he’s got quite used the the chaos yet.  Many hands though don’t seem to make light work, I always have to cajole everyone to partake in the chores.

Last night after another boisterous but  delicious supper of beef braised in beer, and roasted romanesco cauliflower with carraway , we made the most of the clocks springing forward and decided to take a walk on the wild-side.  During the Spring & Summer, we often walk the land, seeing what has changed, grown, to soak up the view, and take a few moments to stand and stare.  This seemed a perfect opportunity, a calming time , evening sunshine, and full tummies.

After the recent rains the land has blossomed into a wilderness, our dogs almost hidden in it’s depths. Many local folk spray the land to kill back the fauna, I just love to take in the lush green vegetation and the myriad of colours from wild flowers and trees bursting into life.

So walk the land we did, well, fight our way through.  Nature didn’t disappoint, french lavender, wild sweet peas,  white showy heads of wild garlic danced in the evening breeze, jasmine perfume scented the air.  My favourite pink butterfly orchids, stood like rosettes of spring, slender wild gladiolis so delicate, swathes of vipers bugloss, with dense mauve petals created a carpet over the mountain.

Reaching the end , we breathe in the view and enjoy the feeling of being on-top of the world, even the children, take the time to stand and stare.

A great book we bought at the start of our new mountain life some 8 years ago was ‘Complete Mediterranean wildlife’ by Paul Sterry , perfect for identifying species, and very easy for children to use too.

 

 

 

 

Mar22

Pride, passion and processions.

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At 2.15 pm today, school is out for Semana Santa, Holy Week .  Andalucia is home to some of the most flamboyant, extravagant and breathtaking displays and processions.  Cities, towns and villages alike, bedeck huge Tronos (floats) with flowers, candles and statues of Christ & the Virgin.  These massive shrines, weigh hundreds of kilos and are carried on the shoulders of the Cofradías ( Brotherhoods).

The tronos are followed and walked with by Nazarenos who carry large processional candles or heavy crosses made of rough wood.  They wear a penitential robe the navareno , this is a long tunic with a tall conical hood, which hides the face of the wearer.  The Navarenos can be seen to walk the streets barefoot, sometimes they may carry shackles and chains on their feet as penance. The robe enables the wearer to do their penance whilst concealing their identity.

The city of Málaga will be visited by 1000’s to witness this unique tradition,  Semana Santa in Málaga is very different from that celebrated in other Andalucian  or Spanish places, it is not watched and partaken with sombre feeling and like many a tradition in this wonderful city is is enjoyed with revelry, happiness & cheer.  Often you can hear spontaneous singing of Flamenco verses  saetas as the floats go by.

Colmenar our local town is no exception and their Trono, is being polished and adorned with flowers as I write, robes and regalia are prepared for their processions.  The children of the town are encouraged to be involved too, by creating in groups their own hand-made ‘mini’ Tronos, of which my Daughter Nell has been part of.

After weeks of sticking, painting and creating, her trono was ready, it took so long as at each craft time there was 10 minutes making and 2 hours debating and chatting, well this is Spain !

Semana Santa Colmenar

So last night with excited children in tow, we made our way carefully carrying the trono to the Cofraida in Colmenar ‘Cofradía Ntro. Padre Jesús Nazareno y María Stma. de los Dolores’ ,

Cofradía Ntro. Padre Jesús Nazareno y María Stma. de los Dolores

It was a wonderful experience as many groups of village children had too created with pride their tronos, some groups take on ‘Mini’ were questionable, but again this is Spain !

Mar19

Teasing tasters.

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Seems the weather keeps teasing us and giving us a taste of what’s to come – A day of glorious sunshine in between the dull & rain, is enough to lift the spirits , time to fling open the windows, lunch alfresco and the drudgery of the daily homework routine somehow seems all more bearable done in the afternoon sun.

Yesterday we we’re singing with the birds, everyone was cheery, flowers were picked to add a springtime bloom and the children gathered their boots & walking sticks and returned once more to their Swallows and Amazons lifestyle, trekking and exploring their mountainside with dogs & cats in tow.

My main vegetable patch is in need of resurrection, I’m trying to build the enthusiasm to to tackle it head on, what I have done, is create a little mini herb & salad patch in the border at the back of my house, just by the kitchen door & yesterday we enjoyed our first pickings of leaves & herbs & edible flowers in a fresh green salad.

salad leaves from La rosilla

We are down to one hen at the moment 😦 but soon her new friends will be arriving, I think she is enjoying eating solo and not having to share, and bless her she lays an egg everyday for us, good job really, as I often start a recipe or dish and then think …’bloody hell’ have I got any eggs ? . Yesterday was no exception, scouring the fridge for inspiration & decided to rustle up a red cabbage slaw, Oh no no mayo,- no worries I’ll just whip some up – Oh no, no eggs – Off to Henny Penny I trudged , she hadn’t let me down.

Today we’re back to wet & grey, with even talk of a ‘Red’ alert on weather warnings !  So I’m feeling the need for comfort food and sharing.  Luckily this afternoon is my ‘Book Club’ and we going to chat about The Kasmir Shawl by Rosie Thomas , a tale of The Raj, Colonial India & Wales, so I’ve baked a spiced Tea Bread & Victoria Sponge, hopefully sweet tastes to match the beautiful tale.

The Kashmir Shawl

SPICED TEA BREAD RECIPE

250 gr of Sultanas soaked in 300ml of cold tea, leave overnight.

 I use a Moroccan tea, flavoured with cinnamon, chicory, liquorice, orange & mint.

Mix with :

2 beaten eggs

250 gr of SR flour

200 gr of Brown sugar

2 tsp of mixed spice

Stir well together – then pour into a lined 2lb loaf tin – bake at 175 c – for 1 hour until risen and dark golden.

Spiced Tea Bread recipe from La Rosilla.

Enjoy with butter and jam and of course a lovely cup of tea.

 

 

Mar4

Squash & za’atar soup

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Wet day, start of the week – something wholesome needed ….SOUP.

This must be one of the easiest soups to make…

Butternut & za’atar soup.

1 whole butternut squash – cut into chunks, do not peel.

2 x onions cut into wedges

1 ltr veg stock

Juice of an orange

sprinkle of Za’atar

sprinkle of cumin seeds

Olive oil

freshly ground salt & pepper

Roasting butternut squash

On a baking tray, put the squash & onion drizzle with Olive oil, and sprinkle with Za’atar. cumin , salt & pepper, roast for 30 – 45 mins in oven 180 c.

Once roasted, put in a saucepan add veg stock, and blend skin & all  – add orange juice, adjust seasoning, heat through gently.

To serve, I like to add a handful of rocket leaves, a dollop of Greek yoghurt and a slice of lemon to squeeze.

Squash & za'atar soup

*Za’atar is a Middle eastern spice mix – each family often have their own recipe but most include, sesame seeds, salt, oregano, thyme & sumac .

It is also lovely mixed with Olive oil & vinegar for a salad dressing, or sprinkled on hot bread drizzled with olive oil.

 

 

 

Mar4

Getting creative with mosaics !

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I love to make the most of events & things to do on our doorstep, well there’s nothing much on our doorstep so to speak except, views of mountains & hundreds of olive & almond trees, lovely I know , but still great to explore.  So Saturday, Little Noo & I were very excited and looking forward to an afternoon, getting creative with mosaics, offered by the wonderful Sue at La Vaqueria, in the nearby town of  Benarmagosa.

Sue is so ‘Crafty’ in the artistic sense of the word, and over the years, my children have enjoyed many a day, getting down & dirty with paint, glitter, clay and other arty mediums, with Sue, but this time, I thought I would have a go.  Now I’m creative on a plate &  interiors, but hands-on art is not my natural ability.

La Vaquerias, new Mosaic afternoon was fabulous, Sue explained the techniques & demonstrated what to do, gave us helpful advice, but then let our creative juices flow.  Time flew by as we were nibbling, with snippers I hastened to add & cutting tiles, laughing with others, and creating our masterpieces.

Mosaic at La Vaqueria

Afternoon tea was served, a delicious spinach blue cheese tart, potato salad & coleslaw, followed by a to die for Lemon Drizzle.

Two hands definitely made light work  for Little Noo & I , and our mosaic stepping stone, apart from grouting was finished.

We hope to return soon, when we may be able to step up to the Non-beginners class, now that will be something 😉

 

 

 

 

 

Feb12

Flippin’ fun !

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Yippee, another tradition based around food, and passed down from generation to generation – Pancake Day 🙂

When I was young, we would have our pancakes for tea, waiting with anticipation for the first flip, or should I say flop..I always think it takes a couple of goes to get your flippin’ action right, I’m not sure our frying pans were quite so non stick then as well, well that’s my excuse for my crumpled & torn batter muddled in the bottom of the pan, but hey who cares they still tasted great.

I was a golden syrup topper, my brothers a squeeze of Jiffy lemon (well fresh lemons were a luxury) & heaps of sugar.

My Mum was like a production line, shouting from the kitchen, ‘Next one’s ready’ ! Always with eyes bigger than our bellies, we’d munch through, 1,2,3,4 or more .

Now in my family, my children enjoy pancakes quite often, it’s a dish they can easily whip up themselves, and eggs are a plenty & flour & milk nearly always available – Their fave toppings vary like their personalities, chocolate spread, cane honey, cheese & ham…

But tonight we’ll flip, toss & giggle together – Savoury to start, then a sweet finish with the customary lemon (picked off my tree I hasten to add) & a spoonful of sugar.

Some topping ideas for you ;

Mozzarella , sun-dried tomatoes & pesto

Goats cheese & caramelised onion

Creamy garlic mushrooms

Herby cream cheese & ham

Banana & Dulce de leche

Cherries & Vanilla ice-cream

Mix a pancake

Stir a pancake

Pop it in the pan

Fry a pancake

Toss a pancake

Catch it if you can

Have fun !

Feb11

What a difference a day makes !

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I think this must be the windiest winter on record, well it’s certainly the windiest we’ve experienced living on the mountain.  In fact in the 8 years we’ve lived here , we’ve lived through many weather records, the hottest summer, the wettest Autumn, the driest winter, Snow first time in 80 years .. we call it living in extremes, or all weathers.

The skies have been so clear and blue this winter, and on most days we can see the snow topped mountains of Sierra Nevada and the Mediterranean  sea – journeys to the coast afford views of Africa, and its Moorish headlands.  The wind though has paid it’s price, this morning hiking up the mount to the meet the school bus, I had to hold on to my little daughter as she was almost blown away, we sheltered in a nook from the howling wind, olives that have not yet been picked were hurtling through the air like missiles.  As soon as it comes though it subsides, and calm prevails once more.

Yesterday we were able to to enjoy a feast with friends alfresco, with ‘Secreto Iberico‘ on the barby and a huge terracotta dish piled high with ‘patatas a lo pobre‘ , along with herb salad and the first nasturtium flowers of the season, and a giant loaf of rye soda-bread to mop up juices. A day in the fresh air, rosie cheeks, full bellies, and then a night in front of the fire, with a trifle to boot 😉

Today the wind is back, and the temperature has dropped, so the home fires are burning and warming comfort food is needed – Albondigas are bubbling away, and a tray of luscious Oatie, fruit & nut flapjacks have been made to enjoy with a little camomile & honey tea.

What a difference a day makes, but it keeps us on our toes, and makes us make the most of all weathers.

Here I share my recipe for a very large tray of Oatie, fruit & nut flapjacks.

Oaty,fruit & nut traybake

2 oranges – zested & juiced

1 lemon – zested & juiced

200 gr Sultanas

400 gr butter

200 gr Brown sugar

200 gr Golden syrup

200 gr Plain flour

500 gr Oats

200 gr pine nuts

  • Put juice, zest of fruits & sultanas in a saucepan and heat gently, for the sultanas to plum up – for about 5 mins.
  • Add butter , syrup & sugar to the pan and heat gently until all melted.
  • In large bowl put flour, oats & nuts, mix then add melted mixture, stir well until thoroughly mixed.
  • Pour mixture into a large lined baking tray and bake in oven 160 c for 25 mins until golden
  • Cut into squares whilst warm then allow cool.

 

 

 

Jan28

Off to Almachar

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We were of to Almachar, my ‘Views from the Hills‘ group, were in for a treat.  A chance to explore a neighbouring village up in the mountains, not quite on most of our doorsteps, and definitely off the beaten track, the ‘Pueblo blanco’ of Almachar .

We all met at Meson Punto Europa a Venta/Bar now being run by one of our members Catherine, we were greeted by a huge log fire, hot coffee & home made cakes.  New ladies were welcomed before we were led on a guided tour around the wonderful village.  Steep hills, cobbled streets, and views to afar, sun shining – perfect.

Views from the hills Alamchar

Almachar is famous for its vines and grapes are collected and dried to make Sultanas / pasas, it is an ancient algricultural method which is still in practise today.  a rustic and quaint museum explains the process, and displays beautifully, a typical village house.

views from the Hills visit to Almachar

The cold air, and brisk walk, built our appetites, so we returned to the Venta, for a delicious and wholesome lunch of Harira Soup, and a tipple or two of local wine.

Almachar - Views from the hills lunch

 

A great start to the week, blew away the cobwebs, and confirmed once more exploring with friends, makes memory moments.