Olives, Capers and Tuna Empanadillas + Pearl Jam

Tags

Baking, Bread, Cooking, Empanadillas, Food, Music, Recipes, Starters

Empanadillas are the smaller version of Empanadas. They admit almost any filling so there are a good solution to get rid of leftovers.

I like the exotic touch of Fennel seeds on these ones.

The pastry is quite easy to make and I don’t recommend you to use puff pastry or shortcrust…it is not the same. You could also use butter instead of Olive Oil, the same pastry used for the Torta Pascualina.

If you have any extravagant ideas for Empanadillas fillings please let me know. I will be happy to try them!

Music by Pearl Jam: Black

Torta Pascualina + Frank Sinatra

Tags

Cake, Cooking, Food, Music, Recipes, Starters, Video

Torta Pascualina is an Argentinian recipe coming from Italy, from the Liguria region. There are many variations. Some add olive oil to the dough instead of butter, chard is also used and some others add Parmesan.

In this one I add pine nuts to give a bit of crunchiness  to the texture and it worked well. I couldn’t find chard but I will add it next time. I also modified the dough quantities so you won’t have the problem I had with the top not covering completely the tarte.

It is also delicious the next day as a side with nice fillet steak topped with Foie Gras and Maldon Salt.

Frank Sinatra is in charge of the music: Fly Me to the Moon.

Black Olive and Boletus Rice Cake + Delorentos

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Cake, Cooking, Food, Music, Recipes, Starters

A different use for rice. I used the ingredients I had handy at home but you can play around: asparagus, artichokes, mushrooms, prawns, roasted peppers…

It goes very well as a side for meats…Pork Skewers maybe?

An Irish band for today. S.E.C.R.E.T. by Delorentos.

Artichoke, Feta and Sun Dried Tomato Orzo Salad + Crash Test Dummies

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Cooking, Food, Music, Pasta, Recipes, Salad, Starters, Video

With this weather I feel more into stews than salads. But following the body biological calendar I have to go for a salad. And it is a very, very easy one. And healthy too.

You can use any pasta but Orzo has something special.

I used the ingredients I had handy at home. You can play around with you favourite ones. Anchovies, prawns, mangoes…

And the music. And “old” song from my teenage years. Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm by Crash Test Dummies.

Marinated Courgette, Rocket, Walnuts and White Tuna Belly Salad + Pearl Jam

Tags

Cooking, Food, Music, Recipes, Salad, Starters

I am back to the kitchen with this salad, with very basic ingredients but full of flavour. The courgette texture improves after releasing some water and being marinated.  The vinaigrette gives the right freshness for these summer days.

And if you are lucky to find tuna belly in olive oil in your area you will notice the difference immediately, it is so delicate.

We had a great time in La Vera, Caceres. Sunny days, family and friends. Days in the rivers and horse riding in the mountains…I miss those days.

It was cherry and summer fig (the black ones) season and they were everywhere. You could pick them up from the trees and so we did.

It is always hard to come back. To fight the post holiday blues I have already booked flights for my next one. I will be heading to Northern India in November. A good chance to learn loads about Indian people and their cuisine.

The music. Black by Pearl Jam. Have a great weekend!

Black Pudding, Pear and Leek Quiche (Quiche de Morcilla, Pera y Puerros) + The Smiths

Tags

Cake, Cooking, Food, Main courses, Music, Recipes, Starters

I love the combination of black pudding with fruit, beautiful with Quince. This time with pear, and in a quiche. For mine I used Iberico pork Morcilla but Irish Black Pudding or any other will perfectly work.

I will be away for 2 weeks enjoying the sun, so you won’t see me around here. I will be hiding in the mountains and internet there is not an option. See you soon!

I leave you with Frankly Mr Shankly by The Smiths.

Cecina, Rocket and Strawberry Salad + Silvio Rodriguez

Tags

Cooking, Food, Music, Recipes, Salad, Starters

The last few days we have been accumulating food: biscuits, cakes, stews… I have to stop cooking at least for a day to be able to finish with everything. I hate to throw food away.

But I am back with a super easy salad. But full of flavours.

Cecina is beef leg cured and smoked. It is increasing its popularity due to the producer’s efforts to make it an artisan product. And they are doing their job. The good stuff is cured for 12 months and smoked with oak wood only. And, lucky us, that is the one I got my last trip to Spain.

I don’t think you can easily find Cecina outside of Spain. Instead you can use Bresaola(usually cured for 5 months), not the same but will sort your salad out .

The music is from Silvio Rodriguez, a Cuban songwriter (or poet or both): Oleo de Mujer con Sombrero.

Sun Dried Tomatoes and Lemon Biscuits + Ry Cooder

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Cooking, Food, Music, Recipes, Starters

Today we have savoury biscuits to go with your  cheese or just as a snack. Even better with cheese and Carrot Jam.

And Ry Cooder is putting the music today, Paris,Texas.

The Famous Patatas Bravas + Paco de Lucia

Tags

Food, Music, Recipes, Starters, Tapas

Patatas Bravas are a lovely and simple dish. It is usually served as a Tapa, and free in many places when you get a beer.

The secret is the sauce and crispy potatoes. I have to say I am very proud of my sauce, it transported me to a Madrid bar with the first bite.

And with a very Spanish dish is coming a very Spanish musician, and one of the greatest guitarists: Paco de Lucia playing Entre Dos Aguas 

Roasted Peppers Stuffed with Spanish Omelette (Pimientos Asados rellenos de Tortilla de Patata) + Creedence Clearwater Revival

Tags

Food, Music, Recipes, Starters, Tapas

A very typical Spanish dish. Tortilla de Patata. And full of controversy. In Spain we are divided about everything. Onion or not onion in the Tortilla. I like both.

This is a different way of presenting it with the sweet pepper flavour as a plus. Can be served as Tapas or as main course is you use bigger peppers.

*Try adding a bit of Chorizo to the potato/egg mix.

The music. Happy song with sad lyrics. And the demonstrators anthem at People’s Park, Berkeley, in 1969. Bad Moon Rising by Creedence Clearwater Revival.