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Summer is Here - So Fire up the Parrilla, or Grill

Wed, 22 May 2013 23:47:48 +0000

In Spain, although a barbecue party is sometimes called a barbacoa, you'll most likely hear it called a parrillada, from parrilla, the Spanish word for grill. Tony and I put together two complete menus for your next parrillada, so you don't have to worry about planning a menu. Each menu has several dishes to choose for each course - Tapas, First Course, Main Course and Dessert, or in Spanish Tapas, Primer Plato, Plato Principal and Postre. Pick and choose, mix and match. Because we like to enjoy time with our guests instead of hiding in the kitchen, one of the menus consists of make-ahead dishes. The other menu consists of traditional dishes, some of which can be prepared ahead of time. About's Guide to Entertaining provided us with some great tips for summertime entertaining, too.

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Easy Pork Loin with Sherry-Raisin Sauce for Weeknight Dinner

Tue, 21 May 2013 00:14:06 +0000

Brown slices of boneless pork tenderloin in olive oil. Then, sautée onions, add chicken broth, wine and raisins and cook sauce and pork until sauce is reduced. It is an easy recipe, that is ready in about 30-40 minutes. Accompany with rice, or fried potatoes, a Spanish mixed green salad, and sit down at the table. Easy enough for a weeknight, yet tasty and attractive enough for a weekend dinner party.

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Madrid's San Isidro Festival

Tue, 14 May 2013 00:17:12 +0000

May 15th is San Isidro or Saint Isidore's feast day. He is the patron saint of Madrid and his feast is a big celebration in Madrid. The annual fiesta or feria of San Isidro officially lasts from May 8 to May 15, but can extend for two weeks or more. A big part of the festival is the series of bullfights, in addition to concerts, dances and the romeria, (a kind of pilgrimage) to the ermita de San Isidro.

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Spanish Mother's Day Brunch Menu

Wed, 08 May 2013 19:20:20 +0000

Fresh Spring ingredients make this menu perfect for a Mother's Day brunch, or a May dinner party. Start with a Spanish omelet as an appetizer. Then, continue the meal with creamy prawn soup, fresh asparagus with bechamel sauce, green beans with peppers, lamb chops and potatoes. Finish up with fresh strawberry flan, and a glass of Spanish sparkling wine called cava.

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Spanish Dessert - Bunuelos de Viento Recipe

Sat, 04 May 2013 00:03:50 +0000

Bunuelos de Viento are light and fluffy, and practically melt in your mouth. Serve them for a snack or dessert. Like many Spanish desserts, bunuelos are lightly fried, and dusted with powdered sugar and/or filled with pastry cream, egg custard or marmalade. Every Spanish cook has their own recipe for classics like bunuelos. Some have a touch of baking powder, some don't. Our version has just a bit to make sure the fritters puff into light and airy balls. We like to fill them with a simple egg custard, and serve at the end of a special brunch or dinner. They would make a wonderful addition to your Mother's Day menu.

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Three Easy Breakfasts for Mother's Day

Wed, 01 May 2013 17:53:55 +0000

Mother's Day is coming up quickly, and many readers ask about easy Spanish breakfast or brunch dishes, especially easy enough for a novice cook, or for the kids. We picked out three that we think will be a hit with mom, but won't keep you in the kitchen all morning. Churros are the classic Spanish fritters that everyone loves. (Be sure to use caution and to supervise when cooking with oil.) Next, the classic bread pudding the Spanish call torrijas. The third choice really gives you lots of options - revueltos, which are scrambled eggs mixed with your choice of ingredients. The Spanish combine eggs with lots of different foods, from shrimp or ham, to mushrooms or vegetables. Don't forget to make some espresso or Spanish hot chocolate, and let mom read the paper.

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Typical Tapas Dinner at Our House

Fri, 26 Apr 2013 17:07:54 +0000

After 6 years, our weekly Tapas night is now a ritual. Our friends know this, and occasionally drop in. Because our tapas night is during the work week, the menu isn't fancy. There are four items on the menu that don't vary - Spanish Omelet (tortilla espanola), mixed green salad, rustic bread and red wine. Everything else depends on the season, and what's in the pantry.

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Easy Spanish Dessert - Almond-Filled Puff Pastry Shells

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 00:04:04 +0000

If you are looking for an easy "go to" dessert for Mother's Day, or a dinner party, look no further! The pastry crust shells are small, buttery and flaky. Bake and they puff up to 2 to 2.5 inches high. Then, fill with the almond filling and finish baking the shells. The almond filling is classic Spanish - ground blanched almonds mixed with sugar, eggs and grated lemon zest.

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Spanish Side Dish for Spring - Esparragos Gratinados

Fri, 19 Apr 2013 00:18:56 +0000

Fresh green asparagus is appearing in our local supermarkets. In California and much of the Northern hemisphere, the peak season for asparagus is in April and May, and this is a side dish made for Spring... Steam asparagus, then wrap in thin slices of Serrano ham and pour bechamel sauce on on top. Finish by sprinkling with a touch of parmesan cheese and bake for a few minutes until golden brown.

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Spring Tapa: Fried Baby Artichokes - Alcachofas Fritas

Wed, 17 Apr 2013 00:34:06 +0000

In Spain, baby artichokes are a common item in the produce market. They are not just miniature versions of the mature artichokes, but are very tender as well... and although not the prettiest tapa, fried baby artichokes are tasty! This tapa recipe is easy - cut the baby artichokes into quarters, dip lightly in flour and egg, then fry. They are equally good as a tapa or a side dish. Although we like to munch on them with Spanish garlic mayonnaise, called alioli sauce, they are delicious on their own, too.

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