Category Archives: food & drink

gifts!

05 Thursday Jan 2012

Posted by in birthdays, books, cartoons, cats, christmas, films, food & drink, friends, video

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This year Peter and I didn’t “do” gifts, preferring to go out for a couple of nice meals during Christmas week instead, and then go to Málaga earlier this week to celebrate my upcoming 55th birthday.  But I also got some lovely surprise prezzies from friends… a third Binky book to add to my collection, two DVDs from my Amazon wishlist and a box of Christmas goodies and cat toys (the cosmic catnip banana is a hit!) from Sweden.

Tonight is the Cabalgata, a parade featuring the Three Kings and hoards of shrieking children, which I will try to avoid. But I still want to see the “mapping” Christmas light show on in the Plaza San Francisco (last night tonight). If I manage to get there I’ll take a video of it. But first some grocery shopping as it’s a bank holiday tomorrow and have been away all week. Hope I don’t get swept up in the crowds!

What did you get for Christmas?

the real mr anchovy

04 Wednesday Jan 2012

Posted by in food & drink, friends, Malaga, social media, spain, travel, trips

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Yesterday we stopped by the recently renovated Atarazanas Market in Málaga as Peter hadn’t seen it open yet. It has a marvellous stained glass window at the back entrance depicting a Málaga port scene, with mountains and castle in the background. Inside the market is lively and colourful, with many smaller stalls than we see in Sevilla markets. And it was there that we ran into the REAL Mr Anchovy. Think we should tell Eugene?

About 8 more hours to go here in Málaga. I notice I have only taken 296 photos so I’d better get snapping.

It’s been a fabulous getaway and I’ve seen and done new things, which is always fun. And I haven’t even over-worried about the cats! But it’ll be great to see them again this evening, though as soon as I get home I’ll have to turn around and head out to do a Sevilla Tapas Tour. Happy…

christmas eve 2011

24 Saturday Dec 2011

Posted by in christmas, fiestas, food & drink, friends, holidays, home

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This has been one of the most relaxed and pleasant Christmas Eves I can remember. Got up a bit later than usual and had some coffee and breakfast. Luckily I got all the supermarket shopping out of the way yesterday, so today just had to pop over to the market for the fish and veg. I couldn’t believe my flatmate Peter! He was Feliz Navidad-ing everyone and being all chatty. I think maybe my delight of Christmas has rubbed off a little…

After getting back from the market I wrote a few Christmas cards and we went out again, this time to just stop by a few places – well okay, tapas bars – and say Merry Christmas to everyone. Of course we stopped for tapas at some of them, and I also got to pick up some amazing blue goat’s cheese (cabrales) and a strong cured sheep’s cheese at our second stop, to go with my Victoria Nº2. And then we took a walk through the Christmas Market. My friend Pablo showed up at our last stop and we went next door with him for yet another drink while he had a tapita. And then the owner Carlos invited us to a glass of cava…

So just got home about an hour ago. Have been getting things ready little by little. Going to roast some small potatoes in garlic and olive oil to go with the salmon steaks with jamón and cava sauce. Some simple steamed broccoli to go with that. As a starter I’m going to deep-fry some gorgeous langoustine tails we got at the market today and serve them with alioli. For afters Peter has his chocolate cake and I’m sure he’ll also partake of the three cheeses (the two bought today and also the famous and fabulous cranberry wensleydale). And then we’ll get cosy with the cats and watch a Christmas movie or two…

I hope you are all enjoying your Christmas Eve too!

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sweet christmas

22 Thursday Dec 2011

Posted by in christmas, fiestas, food & drink, wine

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So there I was working away on the laptop this morning when the doorbell rang…

Then a messenger came upstairs with this! A surprise bottle of Victoria Nº2. I don’t usually like sweet wines all that much but the first time I tried this wine I just went “WOW”. Because it’s not only sweet but also very complex. Lots going on there. And it’s naturally sweet, not fortified like sherrys are, so it isn’t cloying. Made from Muscat Alexandria grapes, the oldest grape variety in Spain, they are picked late in the season and air-dried in the shade. It’s such a beautifully balanced wine.

So, that takes care of Christmas dessert. Now I just have to decide on what wine to have with dinner. I think perhaps that surprise Chardonnay I’ve been saving.

What are you having for Christmas dinner?