Category: Spanish Food and Drink

Just what you need after a day shopping and watching the World Cup

Nerja is a great place to go shopping, there is so much to buy and so little time to buy it, or, so I’m told.

My family were over for a stay in Nerja with Nerja Beach Holidays and a trip to the centre was on the cards. Ale-Hop has relocated, not very far, just around the corner from the original shop. There is always something you need from Ale-Hop.

Ale-Hop? What is Ale-Hop?

Originally from Gata de Gorgos (Alicante), Vicente Grimalt, the founder and manager of our brand, set out in his professional career in 1968. At that time, he was working in door-to-door sales of products from his hometown, notably the famous wicker bags and hats. A few years later, in 1990, he founded the company CLAVE DENIA S.A., which was dedicated to wholesale. Read more.

If like us, you have been calling the shop “Ale Hop” for the last umpteen years, then you are wrong. The proper pronunciation is “Allez-hop!” and is of French origin. It translates as “off you go” or”so, there you go”…so, there you go.

I digress: Being as I didn’t need any shopping, and neither did my brother-in-law, we decided to catch the second half of the Wales v Iran world cup game. As luck would have it, there was a bar just opposite the Ale-Hop shop. We had a large beer and free tapa (very nice, pork Pinchos Morunos) and the tapa was lovely! That’s more than we could say for the Wales result; they lost 2 – nil.

Cochran’s Irish Pub

After a bit of shopping, we decided to give Cochran’s a visit. As it was a lovely sunny day, decided to take a seat on the terrace. If you have never been to Cochran’s, give it a go. The terrace overlooks the Mediterranean and the area between the Balcon de Europa and El Salon Beach. The terrace has plenty of seating and there is a bar and waiter service. Check the site out.

We decided on some refreshments, beer and wine and also a bite to eat. One of the items on the menu was a platter of mixed items. Stuffed Jalapenos, deep-fried Brie cheese, onion rings and chicken wings, served with a little salad and a BBQ sauce. Just enough to keep us going before we got to the apartment

If you are visiting Nerja, why not give Cochran’s Irish Pub a visit?

FISH PIE- PASTEL DE PESCADO

COD, SALMON AND KING PRAWNS IN A CREAMY FISH SAUCE TOPPED WITH MASHED POTATO SERVED WITH GREEN BEANS AND FRESH, CRUSTY BREAD. LOVELY STUFF.

I used fresh fish from Mercadona supermarket in Archidona, close to where I live. You can guarantee that the fish is super-fresh.

Fish Pie – Pastel de Pescado – very easy to make.

Ingredients
Fish (use whatever you like, the firmer the fish, the better)
500ml milk
Butter
Flour
Fresh parsley
Potatoes

Method
Make mashed potatoes (if you don’t know how to do that, then there is no hope for you)
Heat 500ml of milk in a large pan. Bring the milk to a simmer.
Skin the fish and bung it into the simmering milk for about 3 minutes.
After 3 minutes, remove the fish from the liquid and put it into the dish you intend to serve it from. Save the milk into a jug.

Make a Roux
How to Make a Roux
Melt 1 part butter or fat in a skillet or saucepan over medium-low heat. Then sprinkle in 1 part flour.
Stir the butter and flour constantly with a wooden spoon in a figure-eight motion for even cooking.
In 3 to 5 minutes, you’ll have a light roux that should puff slightly.
This recipe has 2 tablespoons of flour and 2 tablespoons of butter. Chuck in a bit of fresh parsley.

Putting the Fish Pie Together

Once the roux is ready (it should be thick enough to coat the back of a spoon) add it to the fish, and make sure to cover it all but leave enough room for the potatoes.
If you are impoverished and don’t have a piping bag, add the cooled mashed potatoes to a freezer bag and cut the corner off (if you haven’t got a freezer bag…Use a big spoon) and cover the contents of the bowl with a nice, thick layer of mashed spuds.

Next make a nice pattern with a fork if you like and then place the dish into a hot oven at 180 – 200C 375 – 400F depending on your oven.
After 30 minutes take it out and serve it with whatever vegetables you like.

Job done!

Finally; Check out this Spanish version of this lovely fish dish. Ask the nice people at Nerja Beach Holidays where the best fish restaurants are, they know Nerja like the back of their hands.

I have built a Spanish Food and Drink Page on Facebook

I have been cooking for the best part of 50 years in one way or another. When my wife bought me a Ken Hom Wok, I was truly inspired. Since then I take any and every opportunity to cook.

Why Spanish Food and Drink?

I have lived here in Spain now for close to 21 years. In that time, I have eaten pretty much everything that Andalucia can offer. Some classic dishes and some, Matt Hancock might be eating in the I’m a Celebrity…get me out of here! camp. I jest ye not!

There are some truly outstanding dishes, such as Cochinillo or Lechòn (suckling Pig) and Rabo de Toro (Oxtail) and some horrors, such as Sesos (Brains in breadcrumbs look just like any other breaded meats, watch out!).

I have cooked a lot of regional as well as local dishes. I also photographed them too. So, it seemed like a good idea to make a Facebook Page and put all the photographs and recipes together. Viola! https://www.facebook.com/groups/spanishfood 

There will be all sorts of things going on this page, not just Spanish food and drink. I often cook British food as well as Italian, French and American.

American? Yes; Cajun, Creole, Tex-Mex, Soul Food, Jerk and so on. I group this diverse group of cuisines as ‘American’

Youtube the FoodTube

I binge-watch Youtube for food and drink Ideas. There is an absolute wealth of videos that will give you the genuine recipes as well as versions on a theme. Some, such as Spain on a Fork and Kay’s Cooking are my favourites. One is a Spanish chef and the other is a culinary disaster: both are entertaining.

I have also added the food and drink from the restaurantes, bars and other food suppliers. The Menu del Dia (Menu of the Day) can bring up some excellent dishes. They are also good value, ranging from 8€ upwards. Tapas are also added and tapas bars.

Nerja is a fantastic place for foodies such as me. There are Chinese, Spanish, Greek, Italian, Indian and many other international cuisines represented. You won’t go hungry in Nerja.

If you are staying with Nerja Beach Holidays and are catering for yourself, this Facebook page might give you some ideas. Not just what and where to eat but, also, what to cook for yourself.

I hope you enjoy the page and I also hope that you will contribute some of your own ideas.

Cod in a delicious Red Pepper Sauce – Bacalao a la Vizcaina

Bacalao recipe from Albert Bevia

Without a doubt, Spain on a Fork is my favourite Spanish recipe channel. There isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t watch. Spain on a Fork is presented by Albert Bevia, born in Valencia, raised in California but now, living back in Spain.

What I like about this Spanish food channel is its simplicity. The produce used is what I can get myself from Spanish supermarkets, such as Mercadona, Dia and so on. Also, the recipes are inexpensive.

On this blog for Nerja Beach Holidays, you will find that I will be posting my efforts at the recipes Albert posts on Youtube and his blog. I would also recommend watching his channel and reading his blog to familiarise yourself with everyday Spanish cuisine.

Andalucia has a varied cuisine that has many influences and ranges from 5-star dishes to basic peasant staples. From Cochinillo (Suckling Pig) to Sesos (Pig’s Brains), from Rabo de Toro (Oxtail Stew) to Criadillas (Bull’s Testicles).

You will also find videos and posts for some of the most famous and simple tapas recipes.

How to Make Bacalao a la Vizcaina or Cod in Pepper Sauce

I used cod pieces that I bought frozen from Mercadona Supermarket in Archidona, close to where I live. I defrosted the fish in the fridge overnight. Then, resting at room temperature, I made sure that the fish was patted dry with kitchen towel (stops spitting oil and makes a crust on the fish).

Coat the Bacalao (Cod) in plain flour and pat the excess flour off and rest on a piece of kitchen paper.

In a frying pan, add sufficient olive oil to cover the base and turn the heat to high. Once the oil is very hot, lower the fish into the pan, skin side down. Fry for about 3 minutes or, until you get a nice crust on the skin. Turn the fish over and do the same.

Making the Sauce

For this sauce, I used 1 whole diced onion, 3 cloves of garlic minced using a rallador (grater), half of a red bell pepper, a choppd tomatoe, four small Piquillo Peppers (they come prepared in a jar) and a teaspoon of  Spanish Sweet Paprika. (recipe on Alberts website)

In a seperate frying pan add olive oil and bring to a medium heat. Add onions and garlic and fry for a few minutes until the onion softens. Add the red bell pepper, piquillo peppers and chopped tomatoe and fry until softened. Turn off the heat and let the mixture cool down.

Once cooled, put into a bowl or other container and blitz with a hand-blender until you get a smooth sauce. Salt and pepper to taste. Return to the pan and reheat.

By this time, your fish will be ready to serve

Pour some of the pepper sauce onto the plate and cover the base with an even layer. Add the cod and an optional garnish. You are ready to enjoy one of the best fish dishes of Spain.

In my version, I have added a few prawns as a nod to a local dish which features prawns as well as Angulas (Baby Eels)

Please visit the Spain on a Fork Youtube site for more great dishes from Albert.

Sometimes life grates on you

I’ve been looking for a rallador de Ceramica for some time now; actually, for a long time. As ridiculous as it may seem, even after two decades of living in the Malaga area of Andalucia, I never got to buy one. Honestly!

What is a Rallador de Ceramica?

The rallador is a fantastic device that Spaniards use to grate garlic, tomatoes, ginger, cucumber and just about anything else.

A traditional Andalucian breakfast is a Mollette con Tomate, a powdered bread bun, toasted and then spread with tomato, garlic or olive oil. There are some people, like me, for instance, that have all three.

The rallador is a ceramic plate or bowl that has a serrated centre on which you rub or grate garlic, tomatoes, ginger et al.

It is a simple but practical device that also looks good in the kitchen.

Searching for the ceramic grater

You really do have to take my word that I have tried for years to get hold of a ceramic grater. Even my trips into the Malaga mountains. I tried in such out-of-the-way places as Soportújar and Pampaneira.

Other places nearer to home, such as Vinuela and Velez Malaga were also fruitless.

These two villages had plenty of artisan craft and pottery but not one had the grater. Nerja was another place that proved to be a non-starter. I was very surprised as Nerja is a great place for tourists and you would have thought this particular item would be a great seller. But, no!

I was not alone – there were other grater-less Brits

Rummaging around on the social media platforms, such as Facebook opened my eyes to the fact that I was not alone in my search. There were other people who were also searching for this wonderful bit of pottery but, to no avail. It was cold comfort. Everyone was asking the same questions and, we all got the same answer.

Success! I actually found some Ralladors de Ceramicas!

The great thing about living in and around the Malaga area of Andalucia is that there is plenty to see and do. We decided to leave our base in the campo (countryside) close to the Andalucia white village or “Pueblo Blanco” of Villanueva del Trabuco and headed to the coast.

We had decided on a day out at Plaza Mayor, a sizable open-air shopping spot with a wide selection of apparel stores, including global brands, restaurants, shops, bars and a cinema. We wanted to watch BELFAST, a new film recently released. Also, we wanted to have a nice meal beforehand.

The meal and the film, I will save for another post.

To cut a long story short: between the meal and the film, we had some time to kill. We decided to do a bit of shopping and so headed towards o0ne of the many malls at Plaza Mayor.

Sat in the middle of the walkway outside the Mercadona store was a ceramics stall. My eyes popped when I saw, not just a few, but, hundreds of ralladors, all different shapes and sizes.

They ranged in price, from quite cheap to a major purchase. However; if you bought more than one item, you got a discount on both. Happily, I purchased a plate and a bowl. For 15€ (this was after a 2€ discount) I had, at last, got what I had been searching for.

This may seem like a paltry purchase, after all, there was all manner of shops I had been in, at the Plaza Mayor, including one that sold Japanese Sushi knives at 500€ a pop (yes! I’m a bit of a foodie) but, after so many years, its practical and emotional value was priceless.

Speaking to the lady who sold me these items, she told me they have a shop in Malaga city, close to the Hard Rock Cafe.

So, if you are looking for a rallador or two, you know where to go.