Jan14

Daily bread.

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I don’t think I could ever give up carbs, I love my daily bread too much, and I think if it’s full of natural goodness that’s good enough for me  – and how could you eat a bowl of homemade soup, without dunking ?, I know I can’t .

For many years I have made bread, a simple act that creates one of life’s pleasures, and one of life’s coveted aromas – The scent of freshly baked bread – hhhhmmmm.  Yes some days, it doesn’t fit into the agenda, I’m not a bread maker machine kind of a gal, I like to take life’s frustrations out on my dough, it takes the knock much better than me 😉

But for those  who just can’t wait for a double rise, or who don’t have the patience for 10 – 15 mins kneading, don’t worry you can still have a loaf – and soda bread should become your friend ready in the time it takes to mix, and bake in the oven – on the table in 30 minutes.

At the week end I was eager to try some of my new products on offer from La Rosilla – Organic wholemeal flour & poppy seeds.  I had a little helper in the kitchen, who too was eager to mix, spoon & shape.

So this week-ends loaf was Carrot & Walnut soda bread with a poppy seed topping.

Kitchen helper

La Rosilla kitchen helper.

Carrot & Walnut Soda Bread with poppy seeds.

Heat oven to 175 c.

500 Grams Wholemeal organic flour

2 tsp of bircarb soda

1 tsp salt

2 tsp brown sugar

Natural yoghurt approx 4 small 125g pots (enough to make a soft dough)

Mix all the above ingredients together by hand or with a mixer, to make a soft dough.

Add 2 grated carrots and a handful of walnuts, knead until all combined, if too sticky just add more flour.

Turn out onto a floured surface and shape into a round dome.

Carrot & Walnut soda bread recipe

Place on a baking sheet, and score the top with a sharp knife, into portions about 8.

Sprinkle over poppy seeds and bake in the oven until risen and golden, about 30 – 40 mins.

Eat warm straight from the oven – lovely too toasted the next day.

Carrot, walnut Soda bread recipe

Jan14

Recipe time – Roasted fennel

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It seems an ages since I’ve posted a recipe, I think throughout December , people call for traditional tastes and family favourites, I know I do.  But recently I’ve been craving something different, to tantalize my taste-buds – My recent visit to the local market, did the trick, and one of my favorite vegetables was sat on the stall in all it’s glory – Fennel !

Fennel plant botanical

Fennel is wonderful , with the whole of the plant , seeds, bulb & foliage being used for many things, from culinary to medicinal.  It has a an aniseed flavour, and sliced in salads it gives a fresh and vibrant taste, slowly roasted it becomes sweet & tender.fennel seed
This recipe is easy to make, and a great supper accompaniment to roasted meat or chicken.

ROASTED FENNEL WITH THYME

Roasted Fennel Recipe

2 Bulbs of fennel sliced through the core into chunks

Place in a baking dish

Drizzle with olive oil & balsamic vinegar

3 garlic cloves peeled & sliced and sprinkled over fennel

Crush a few pink peppercorns and sprinkle over

2 tbsp of fresh thyme sprinkled over

add a dash of balsamic vinegar, and sprinkle with rock salt

Bake in a hot oven for approx 45 mins until beginning to caramelise and become tender.

The dish is perfect like this, but you can add a handful of grated parmesan or your favourite cheese, and pop back in the oven for 5-10 mins to gratinise.

Roasted cheese fennel

BUEN PROVECHO !

Jan14

My first car – Well my Dad’s ;)

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I thought I’d share my Dad’s (@bikeral72) piece that he wrote for his local magazine.

I got him into Twitter, infact I think he has tweeted more than me, occasionally with me having to say, ‘Dad, you can’t say that 😉 I think that falls on deaf ears, he doesn’t do FB, he can’t stand it , and now more & more often he is writing for magazines & newspapers & forums.  From his Twitter tag you won’t be wrong in thinking he is a rider and at 72, he still cuts a dashing figure in his leathers ;).

Well done Dad, keep it up !

My first car was a 1936 Austin18 Taxi. straight six 2.5 litre side valve engine. I went a third share in it with two mates. £12.00 in total, £4.00 each.

We had such fun.

The year was 1958, I was just 18 then and hadn’t long passed my driving test. It would seat 7, 8 at a pinch and we used it to go to pubs in the country, (no drink driving laws then).

(My Dad is a Brummie )

It only let us down once when it dropped an exhaust valve. I managed to get another valve brand new off the shelf at P.J.Evans in Birmingham for the princely sum of 8 shillings and sixpence. The car was parked on the central reservation of the Tyburn Road in Erdington, Birmingham, this stretch of land used to be where the trams ran. I stripped the engine down, replaced the valve got it running again, with traffic buzzing passed while I worked.

We then had more than a few years motoring out of it, going all over the country.
Austin Taxi 1959

The photo shows the car with me in the driving seat, with the obligatory black and yellow checked cap, which we all had.

Our old car finally came to an end when an excursion up a curb put paid to the front suspension. It was, alas, beyond a viable repair, so it had to go to the scrap yard.

A few months after we had parted with the car, the M1 motorway was about to be opened. Being the first motorway in the country, Joe Public had to be educated as to what sort of vehicle could, or could not, use the motorway. There were television adverts at news times telling people of the woes of travelling on the new motorway, and as an example they showed a picture of our old Austin 18 Taxi, saying, this is the sort of vehicle that we don’t want to see on the M1. So right to the end, that old car had a tale to tell.

Hope you find this of some interest, memories of this era never seem to fade.

 

Good one Dad 🙂 x
Jan10

Let’s do lunch !

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One of the joys about living in Spain is the tradition of  ‘menu del dia’ – menu of the day, that all restaurants should offer to diners.  The long leisurely lunch is a way of life that I have been happy to adapt to, not possible every day but on days that it is , I’m there !

Many bars and restaurants are full to bursting at 2pm each day, with workers taking time out, to eat, chat and relax with one another before they start their afternoons working activities.  Popular eateries, can turn around hundreds of diners during this time, all enjoying 3 courses, bread, wine & water for a token price from 7 euros.

I have my favourites and depending on whether I’m just looking to refuel with honest good grub, or sit soak up the sun, or enjoy that something just a little bit more special, ‘Menu del dia’ can tick most boxes.

I was delighted to hear through the grapevine that one of my favourite places Tanit in Torre del Mar, was expanding their empire. Their promenade restaurant paved the way for new hip places in Torre del mar, they then opened the wonderful Bahia del Tanit beach club, which I, along with many friends and family frequent in Summer as much as possible, making the day at the beach a little more lovely.  Their newest venture Vintash Tanit, is located in town on the Avenida Andalucia.

Vintash Tanit Review

So that was it, after weeks of trying to get there, my OH and I decided to have our works Christmas ‘Do’ albeit after Christmas, and just the two of us 😉 and Vintash Tanit was the place to go.

We were not disappointed, the Tanit style was evident with their eclectic mix of furniture a shabby chic & boudoir interior, right up my street.

Staff attentive and welcoming like normal.

Review of Vintash Tanit Torre del Mar

We indulged in to start,  two sharing platters of mushrooms, stuffed with Roquefort & wrapped in bacon, and delicious berenjenas fritas (fried aubergine) served in modern baton style.

a couple of glasses of chilled white, and then ‘Menu del dia’

Chicken Caesar Salad, Pork, saute of mushrooms and cream sauce, followed by crepes & strawberries.

Stuffed to bursting, a cafe solo put a spring back in our step, or should I say a waddle back in our walk 😉

The price for 2 – 26 Euros – Spain I love you 🙂

Oh and the loos are beautiful – as my mum always says, ‘you can tell a god restaurant by it’s loos …’

Jan8

Bursting with life – well I want to be.

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The mountain really is bursting to life, bringing in the new year with a flourish.  Blossom of the softest baby pinks and creamy whites are dressing the montes, giving the illusion of snow covered hillsides, the sweet perfumed blooms are enjoying the warmth of the sun.  The clearest and brightest blue skies allow vistas for miles, with sea and snow veiled sierras in the same view.

Daisies & passionflowers juxtaposed, but with beauty comes green in it’s masses, green in the way of weeds…and weeding I have not got around to yet.  Unlike the mountain I’m not bursting with life, I want to be, my mind is ready but waiting for the body to follow.

Unfortunately I’ve succumbed to the dreaded cold/flu virus that is stubbornly holding on to me.  Now I’ve had enough, and I’m going to follow that ancient pearl of wisdom, “Feed a cold & starve a fever“, dosing myself up as my mother would say, with comforting ,wholesome & hearty dishes, and drinks to warm and soothe.

Leftovers from the festive time, are still being put to good use, to make bowls of Sopa de picadillo & Creme of brocoli with stilton & jamon.  I’ve been and purchased some local honey, made from the bees of Colmenar, picked some lemons off my tree, & added a touch of cinnamon and topped up with hot water to soothe my throat and give me a boost of Vitamin C.

Colmenar honey

Tastes & perfume from the mountains

Tonight is a last ditch attempt to shift my bug, with a super hot curry full of vegetables, courgettes, peppers, mushrooms & butternut squash and cooked by my OH, so that makes it even better.

I hope to back on full form soon, so I can enjoy what nature has to offer, a mild winter and what I came here for, the sunshine.

Dec28

Home-made Ho,Ho,Ho !

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Frugal but fabulous, was the theme for our festive bash for my wonderful ladies group ‘View from the Hills‘.  Secret santas of home-made gifts, gave a novel spin to our evening, Blue Peter and double sided tape, I knew were the first thoughts many of the ladies had, but they’re a crafty & talented group and each of us was rewarded by a  beautiful gift thoughtfully created.

Jams, chutneys, dried chilli hangings, terracotta tree ornaments , melting moments, candles to name a few.

La Rosilla ladies group

Sharing supper

La Rosilla ladies group

Merry making

Views form the hills

Spectacular Casa Cuscurro

Roaring log fire, merry music and delicious delights, along with mirthful mulled wine to die for, were shared in the wonderful atmosphere of Casa Cuscurro .

Chat of past adventures and plans for our New Year escapades and events flowed , why not join us next time ?

 

 

 

 

 

Dec18

The Next Big Thing !

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The Next Big Thing is a huge round-robin initiative of writers, bloggers, authors and journalists who share what they are embarking on next. The format is a set of questions, which can be varied depending on whether the current baton-holder is an author of books, or an online blogger.

I was passed the baton by Tamara Essex a new friend of mine, who I met after reading her wonderful blog ‘A foot in two Camps’ based around her life spread between rural England and rural Andalucia.  When I  first read Tamaras blog posts about my local town Colmenar in the montes of Malaga, they had me chuckling to myself.  I think it is great to see & read another fellows perspective on our life here, albeit if she is a ‘Townie’ 😉

So this is me @lynzinthesun, blogger, recipe writer, cookery & culture class giver,  local book club  & ‘ Views from the hills‘ ladies group founder . Phew, no wonder my life is manic !

I will be passing the baton on to two great virtual friends of mine, who have kept me inspired, supported & amused with their tales from their corners Andalucia & who I very much hope to meet in the flesh in 2013 !

Here are my questions & answers ;

What is the working title of your project? I blog at La Rosilla lifestyle & food , writings and tales of our family life, in our rural Finca on a mountain in Andalucia. I like to think of it as a harmony between food & nature.

Where did the idea come from?

I started writing a personal diary from the day we left Blighty ,lock, stock & barrel.  Many friends said ‘Lynz you should write a book’ but I thought they are two a penny now.  Although Driving over lemons &  A parrot in a pepper tree had inspired & whet my appetite  to take the plunge into a new life , I wasn’t sure our roller-coaster of a Spanish life would fit into a book, so I took to blogging instead.

What is the one-sentence synopsis of your blog?

Life on a mountain in Spain, experiences, memory moments & food, glorious food.

How long do you spend writing posts for your blog?

I seem to be forever online, researching, tweeting but actually writing I think probably 2 hours a week.  I enjoy the time, it makes me reflect on what we’ve done as a family, and also makes me grateful of what we have achieved or experienced.  I try to keep my blog as positive as possible, and at times when things get too much, I can loose myself in writing.

To what book would you compare your blog?

Not sure about a book ; for my children it would be ‘Swallows & Amazons’, the tales I write about them, and the wonderful things they get up to on the mountain, sure give them a life of adventure.  For me, probably a T.V series ‘The good life’ I live a life of cross between Margot & Barbara , we’ve done the pigs, allotment, self sufficiency, but I do like a glass of bubbles in my hand 😉

Who or what inspires you to write?

I never take for granted my view or breathtaking location I live in , day to  day happenings inspire me to write.  Nature, plants, the weather, fiestas, traditions & lifes happenings – Just this morning, on a December day crisp & bright the bees are buzzing and busy collecting honey from our Passifloras & the Cooker repair man is busy in the kitchen doing the necessary to ensure the La Rosilla kitchen stays open at the vital time – Real life !

La Rosilla Terrace Dining

What is on your agenda in the next month or two?

My eldest daughter arrives home tomorrow for Christmas, so we will be together as a family – Can’t wait.  I’ll be cooking away, for guests and clients, busy with my Christmas orders for Buche Noel & shortbread .  As the New Year arrives, keeping warm is always high on the agenda, it gets cold up in these hills…I am planning new dates for my cookery & culture days & supperclub events.

What is your dream of a next big thing?

My Next Big Thing, is work in progress, I am slowly writing, compiling & planning my own cook book, which will be a compilation of recipes from family, friends and guests to La Rosilla. Favourite dishes, full of traditions & tales, from all over the world – the title ‘DELISH’ .

Well I need to get baking, so I’ll pass my baton on to two wonderful ladies;

Carole Byrne who writes a great blog Further south of Granada .  Carol keeps me entertained with her tales of even higher up rural Spanish life than me, way up in the Alpujarras.

Ann Larson is an extraordinarily busy lady, who writes about her life in Yunquera on her Olive farm, here she grows all her own vegetables, herbs & olives, which she uses to make the most beautiful natural products called Lujos.  Both ladies like me experience, all areas of Spanish life, warts and all.

So from my NEXT BIG THING to yours – Buen Provecho 🙂

 

 

 

 

Dec6

What a week that was !

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Whistle stop tours are always my itinerary style whilst visiting the U.K, so many places to go, people to see..but I love it !

My week just gone, was spent doing all that I love, working with food, networking with like-minded people, visiting friends, eating, drinking and not much sleeping .

First port of call, Warwickshire where my dear friend Caroline of Pink Jelly Marketing, hosted my first few days of stay.  We visited the breathtaking Compton Verney, for a night of inspirational talks, held by the Federation of Small Businesses – the highlight of the night for me, was the amusing and uplifting presentation given by Mask – arade, the business the Dragons Den poo poo’d that now is flying high, and their celebrity masks are gracing many a party, event, function & worldwide stage . Generously we were given masks to take home, which became a talking point of my week, and created family parties that would be talked about for many a year to come.

Sharon Osborne Mask arade

Jordan Darcey Olly Murs, Russel & Bruce

I was dined in style at The Arden Hotel in Stratford, the decor was divine,  along with my favourite tipple ‘Sancerre’ the food was amazing – my taste-buds were well and truly tickled, Scallops to start and pork belly to follow to finish a fragipane & fig tart – Delicioso.  We had the most attentive waitress, who to kept us entertained without being intrusive.

El Greco, the new Greek restaurant in Stratford -upon- Avon was enjoyed on a very chilly night, Flare the owner was gregarious and welcoming, here we enjoyed a vast meze and wonderful Mediterranean  flavours – A fabulous location for  a private party too, and the loos were spectacular 😉

The main event for me was the working part of my trip, at The BBC Good Food Show in Birmingham, it was so good to be amongst so many ‘Foodies’ producers, chefs & celebrities.  My home was on the Gower Cottage Brownies stand, hectic, manic sometimes but great fun, brownies to die for.  I was alongside Tim Kinnaird (masterchef) and his beautiful Macarons & more .  The most delectable macarons of all shades & flavours artfully displayed and presented.  Aching feet and backs were soothed by foodie trades & tipples a many, thank-goodness I wasn’t driving 😉

Gower Cottage Brownies

I was given a Masterchef cook book to add to my collection, signed by all Masterchefs & celebs, which will be pride of place on my shelf. I also had chance to Tweetup with fellow Supperclubber Kerstins Kitchen .

Supperclub Kerstins Kitchen

Work over – Friends & family time, 2 Christmas dinners, sprouts a plenty, girly get together, dancing on the ceiling, no kidding , cinema for the final Twilight , hair of the dog most days – Laughs, little sleep and a very early morning flight home – Fabulous.

Now back to reality and preparing for my final Supperclub of the season tomorrow, Buche Noel baked and shopping done just (forgot today was bank holiday !)

Buche Noel - Yule log

Looking forward to getting organised for (C) still going into a panic when I say the word, oh & a lie in at the week-end to try to catch up on my beauty sleep, boy it’s needed.

 

 

Nov26

Bite me ;)

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Military operation in full scale, well that’s what it feels like, preparing to leave the family, home & business to return to Blighty for a week of work, rest & play .

To do lists have been written, who’s got to be where when lists, cheerio cards penned, I like to leave a note under everyone’s pillow so that find it when they get tucked up at night , advent calendars left, how organized am I ? even though I have succumbed to buying one full of chocs, which will be to my childrens delight, but not my thing, I like TRADITIONAL !

Homely early supper of bubble & squeak will be enjoyed together, before one tackles my ablutions, amazing what you do when you’re going away 😉 Can’t let my friends think life on the mountain is turning me grey !

Then I’ll be off for a week in heaven, kindly organised by my wonderful friend Caroline, who will be feeding & watering me, mentoring and boosting me up, we’ll network Pink Jelly style, got to spread the La Rosilla love 😉 , chat and laugh no end .

Work will be at the BBC Good Food Show at the NEC in Birmingham, where I will be on Elf duty for Kate and her amazing Gower Cottage Brownies – Yes I know a rather bonny Elf, but not literally I’m pleased to add, even if it might be nearly Christmas, even though I do have to wear a polo saying  ‘ BITE ME ‘ !!!

Here I’ll be in my element amongst food providers, chefs, culinary & gourmet delights. I’m tweeting up with my other ‘Foodie’ and ‘Supperclub’ friends & followers, who then wonderfully will be no longer virtual.  One even said ‘How will I recognise you ? oh I know by your cake ‘ !!! Mustn’t forget my lippy then 😉

la Rosilla Birthday Cake

The week-end is planned to the hilt, with feasting & merriment, a trip to Rose Cottage for supper with the girls including my number 1 daughter, traveling up to meet her Mama, how grown up, full of twinkly lights, hearts, bunting & of course a little vino.  Before heading to Bramble, home of my Ma & Pa for early Crimble with the family .

Things I’m looking forward to that I miss on the mountain, in no particular order 😉  – Carpet, heating, Sancerre, my mates, ginger wine, food magazines, walking to the shop, to the pub & to church and back to the pub again 😉

 

 

 

Nov26

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So it’s me next ….eeeek 😉

tamaraessex's avatarA Foot in Two Campos

The Next Big Thing is a huge round-robin blog-hop of writers, authors, bloggers and journalists who share what they are embarking on next.  The format is a set of questions, which can be varied depending on whether the current baton-holder is an author of books, or an online blogger.

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