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 turronI'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 !
Comments
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.
And well, I love garlic any which way. I would be lost without it.
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.
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'
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.
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.
http://avondalestyle.blogspot.com/
Have been to Granada too and can only imagine the Alhambra being amazing in snow.
You have a lovely blog. I love all the photos!!!
Have you tried the figs covered with chocolate and cream and liquor feeling, from La Higuera ?
Kind regards,
José
visit our collection ya!!!
far-east culture...
have a nice day...
Rick
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