Every now and then on one of my Sevilla Tapas Tours I not only have a great time showing people around the best tapas bars in town, but I also make a friend. And in this case I actually made two friends! I met Kyran and Claire at the end of October when I picked them up at their hotel … nice touch was when they invited me for a glass of cava at the lovely patio bar. And from there it was a fun night out with two very adventurous eaters who also love cooking and drinking sherry. So I was delighted when they stayed in touch later on via Twitter and Instagram, and I was totally floored the other day when they sent me this amazing Christmas pressie! The Irish Beef Book. Well.

I like to think I’m a good cook (because I am!) but I have never really mastered the art of cooking meat at home, other than slow-cooked recipes. And indeed this fabulous book by Pat Whelan and Katy McGuinness has an entire chapter entitled “long & slow” but it also goes beyond meat dishes and includes great side dishes including an amazing looking recipe for individual Yorksire puddings, which I can’t wait to try. I think Mr Anchovy and WeeRascal would also do well with this book. It also turns out that most recipes are adaptable (not a lotta beef here in Spain) so I won’t have to ask Kyran and Claire to send me an Irish cow…

Thank you lovelies! See you again in the spring!

Claire & Kyran