In the garlic ad libitum and other Spanish delicatessen

Garlic has never been so present in my life since I moved to Andalusia. I'm still not convinced by the garlic soup Monchéri prepares on very cold days as a powerful warming potion but I do eat whole cloves of garlic and I love it ! The thing is, already prepared and marinated garlic cloves do not have this typical pungent taste. On the contrary, their taste is quite mild and very pleasant. I made my little weekly tour at the gourmet shop of El Corte Ingles in Granada yesterday morning. It's a small addition to El Corte Ingles food shop, and the prices are ridiculously high but I love looking at the conservas (preserves in glass jars or tins).

cloves of garlic in herbs, vinegar or chile....

I bought one of these red pepper preserves months ago and never opened it because I'm very found of the packaging

I got this tin to send to my sister in France as a Christmas aperitivo

I was determined to take pics of all the kinds of preserves when I heard a voice behind me saying lo siento pero no se puede tomar fotos (sorry, taking pictures is not allowed). I never understand what harm is done when taking pictures in a a store, do you ? Industrial spying, I guess...


still, I had to show you the star of a typical Andalusian Christmas dinner, el jamon iberico (iberian ham) which people in my village eat only during this time of year as it's quite expensive.

and of course, el turron

I'm not too keen on turron but I like this rolled version designed by catalan pastry-maker Bubo which Maria sells in her lovely shop Bonnoir, entirely dedicated to chocolate on plaza Bibrambla

I find these macaron-sweets quite cute !


Have a great week end !

Comments

Linda Sue said…
OHHH LOvely- I want them all! Packaging is everything! I often take pictures of displays or packaging where it is not allowed, am repremanded, I pretend that I don't quite understand, smiling endearingly. I usually get away with it. I don't understand that rule either. These are wonderful shots of product and packaging to die for!
I have a tin of coconut that my mother bought in the 40's- at the time it was special- the tin is sort of lacey and cute- she never opened it- when she died I found it amoung her treasures and there it sits - on my hutch, as pristine as the day of purchase in the 40's. Too precious to ever be opened.
Ruth said…
I'm so like you, and it's funny you'd mention this about photos not allowed in stores, because I was anticipating my annual Christmas season trek with Inge to a nearby town for a day shopping. We do a lot of window shopping, and of course I make a blog post about the day each year. So I have to take pictures in those shops! And I was wondering if anyone would stop me. I'm usually pretty stealthy, but you never know who might stop you for some unknown reason.

And well, I love garlic any which way. I would be lost without it.
Unknown said…
I just wanted to say that I am so glad i came across your blog! I so wish I was living in Europe and seeing your blog reminds me to get a move on and try to make this wish come true :)
Tess Kincaid said…
I want to shop in your deli! I love garlic and throw it into almost everything...almost.
kendalee said…
It ALL looks so scrumptious - I love it!
l'air du temps said…
what a nice trip down memory lane for me. i too used to go into the gourmet shop in el corte ingles. i felt as if i were having a peak into a world of luxury, and if i were quiet, they would let me stay. oh do enjoy!
Maia said…
Yum! Oh, the foods you have there. You are fortunate!
Elizabeth said…
Your packages are a delight -I'm sure as lovely as the contents!
You seem to have beautiful things in Spain.
Glad you like Christmas now - though the thought of running off to Tangiers has a certain charm to it!
Hope you have a wonderful holiday celebration.
ceecee said…
Hello Lala,
I am always so pleased when I have new visitors! Thank you so much. Your blog is beautiful - you have a very unique and elegant style. I'm glad that now I can stop by to visit you in Spain! No, I no longer dance here in the States - it is difficult here - one really needs to be in Spain where the standards are higher. I am a purist when it comes to Flamenco. It was my life for ten years so it will always be a part of me. And of course it's always fun to join in at a juerga - you never lose the movements once they take over your soul. At the moment I have a broken arm and shoulder and I was just thinking today that I hope I will be able to at least raise my arm high enough again to do Sevillanas. Looking forward to many visits with you!
Adiosito,
Catherine from 'A Thousand Clapping Hands'
Unknown said…
Ooh yummy! It all looks so delicious and gorgeous.
Funny the thing about not being allowed to take photos in stores, such a pity, because there are inevitably gorgeous shots to be had, one would think some of the displays could only be good promotion for the stores.
And you are still going on with the 'turron', aren't you? My pleas have fallen in deaf ears, have they not? :-)

I love garlic. The way Javier Bardem loved garlic in 'Jamon, Jamon'. Yes, garlic and I are an item, we have been going out for quite a long time and my wife doesn't mind it at all. All she says, don't kiss me please when you and garlic go out on garlic binge (usually on a juicy, fat steak).

Good post and lovely pictures.

Have a nice weekend.

Greetings from London.
Bonbon Oiseau said…
fantastic-i think it's going to be a very delicious christmas for you!
Vanessa said…
Girl after my own heart! I cannot live without garlic. I've been known to cook everything conceivable with it and in heaps and heaps of the stuff. You and I would get along so famously!
Gabbi said…
great photos and descriptions, i felt like i was there shopping as i read it :) i hate it when they don't allow photographs...it's really free advertisement if you think about it right? and i love turron, though I've only had it a few times...it's early in the morning and your post made me hungry :) time for breakfast! hope you've had a lovely weekend.xoxo
Mary-Laure said…
Everything looks delicious AND beautiful. Oh, the turron...
Relyn Lawson said…
The packaging is gorgeous. I'm with you. What on earth does it hurt to take photographs. Especially when you could buy it and take it home and photograph to your heart's content. I understand a little more in a design shop because their ideas are their currency. Still...
Theresa said…
I love all the color.

http://avondalestyle.blogspot.com/
Helena said…
I lived in Barcelona for a few months and my gosh... those pictures of the food brings back memories! I love all the little speciality shops they have in Spain.

Have been to Granada too and can only imagine the Alhambra being amazing in snow.
ljk said…
oh my gosh...Turron....I remember it!!!We used to get packages and pacages as Christmas gifts!!!

You have a lovely blog. I love all the photos!!!
Hi,

Have you tried the figs covered with chocolate and cream and liquor feeling, from La Higuera ?

Kind regards,

José
I see a lot of goodies and yummy too. here in the Philippines, we do also have some delicatessens and some strange too. Hmmm.
lovely blog!!!

visit our collection ya!!!

far-east culture...

have a nice day...
Rick Rivers said…
Ola: Came upon your blog on Blogs of Note, beautiful. I am Mexican decent and comida is such a vital part of our culture. Some of it was influcenced by living in the U.S.(Chicano Food). I wonder how much Spanish influence there is in mexican cuisine? I see the chiles and I wonder. I write some about food on my blog, but it is much more humble than yours. Adelante.
Rick
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Tara said…
I am so happy I found your blog - I just got back from some phtographing around the city streets of Barcelona and took a photo inside of a cerveceria and the lady kicked me out I was so hurt and she started gossipping about me to another old lasy who started giving me evil eyes.... jeepers creepers so I came back home google "are you allowed to take photos in shops in Spain " and lo and behold there popped your blog .
I felt so disheartened and bleak that I had done some criminal thing and felt like a real twit/bumpkin after only a week overseas ( my first trip ever)out of my home of South Africa.
Any how thank goodness for blogs liek yours dont feel quite so depressed about my international faux pas.

Tara
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