Tag Archive for: Spanish Food and Wine

Spain, the largest producer of olive oil in the world, with the impressive average of 44% of the world’s supply of olive oil each year, is paradise for us olive oil lovers!  Over 250 varieties of olive trees in Spain produce twice as much olive oil as Italy and four times as much as Greece! The olive oil harvest time, from early November till mid January, with many olive oil festivals all over the country, is a perfect opportunity for an authentic Spanish food and wine tour! On your foodie trip with us you can visit charming local olive oil artisans, participate in lively olive oil festivals in local villages, see their olive mills in full swing and taste the freshly pressed olive oil – its aroma and taste are truly delicious!

Olive trees, though native to Asia Minor, have been grown around the Mediterranean since the 8th millennium BC. Cultivating and eating olives has existed before written language came to be! The Phoenicians brought olive trees to southern Spain almost 3000 years ago, so it is no wonder they are such an integral part of Spanish cuisine and agriculture.

The Spanish region of Andalucia grows most of the world’s olive oil, but Catalonia produces some of the world’s best and most distinct in flavour. The first official protected designation of origin for Spanish extra-virgin olive oil was bestowed on the Catalan Oli de Borges in 1975.

Nowadays, the most prestigious Olive Oil D.O. in Catalonia is Siurana, where the legendary OleAurum DOP Siurana oil was born. Here, on the outskirts of Reus every November, the Siurana Olive Oil Fair takes place, a lively event gathering the most important producers of the DOP Siurana. Olive and olive oil tastings abound, as well as a raffle whose winner succeeds in being given their ‘weight in oil’!

So many olive oils to choose from!

In Andalucia, Jaen is the iconic olive oil region, with miles and miles of olive orchards and many olive oil producers and co-operatives. During the olive harvest, between November and February,   you can enjoy here not only fantastic olive oil mills visits and tastings, but also lively traditional gatherings and gastronomic festivals, like the one in Martos, where you can participate in the harvesting of olives and see the extraction of olive oil from the olive. A delicious end to this festival is the handing out of ´hoyos´ by local olive growing families, a traditional dish of bread, oil, salt, cod and olives.

The beautiful Catalan region of Priorat, well-known amongst the wine lovers for its mind-blowing reds, also abounds in excellent olive oil. Here the Oil Festival of Cabacés takes place on the first weekend of December and includes olive oil tastings, guided tours of the local mills, displays of country produce, as well as music and a communal lunch.

We are passionate about our olive oil and would love to assist you with a Spanish foodie tour, so you can experience the ambience and conviviality of these very community-strong olive oil festivals here in Spain, be it south or north!

Mugaritz, in the Basque Country, Spain, is the current World’s Number 6 Restaurant!!

The NEW World’s 50 Best Restaurants Awards 2016 will be presented next month but, in the meantime, we’ll be looking at how the current Spanish and Portuguese entries (from the 2015 list) have evolved  in the prestigious Restaurant Magazine’s list in our “A la Crème de la Crème” Gourmand Breaks Blog series.

Light shortbread. PHOTO: José Luis López de Zubiría/ Mugaritz

Light shortbread. PHOTO: José Luis López de Zubiría/ Mugaritz

Mugaritz has been considered one of the World’s best 50 restaurants since 2006 by the prestigious Restaurant Magazine where it entered in 10th place!  Since then it has always appeared in the Top 10 with it’s highest placing being in 3rd place in 2011 and 2012.

Here’s a recap of Mugaritz’s fantastic Top 10 placings over the years:

2015 + 2014  – No 6

2013  – No 4

2012 + 2011  – No 3

2010 – No 5

2009 + 2008 – No 4

2007 – No 8

2006 – No 10

Can Mugaritz keep true to form and stay in the Top 10 for another year in the World’s 50 Best Restaurants Awards 2016 ? We’ll let you know on the 13th of June ……

Mugaritz

There are literally thousands of restaurants all over the world – hundreds of thousands! – and acclaimed Restaurant Magazine narrows it down to organize, compile and present, year after year, The World’s 50 Best Restaurants Awards and List.

This prestigious list, coming up to its 14th year,  is an annual recollection of the opinions and experiences of over 900 international restaurant industry experts and the ceremony is attended by the world’s finest chefs, international media and the world’s most influential restaurateurs.

This year, 2016, sees the awards ceremony being presented from the United States of America, the first time the ceremony has moved from its beginnings in England, from London!

We’ll keep you updated on the results of The World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2016  (June 13th 2016 live from New York) but in the meantime over the next couple of weeks we’ll be taking a look at the Spanish (and Portuguese) movers and shakers in our Gourmand Breaks series “A la Crème de la Crème”

 

We have many fine dining opportunities for you all over Spain and / or Portugal. Any of our sample private Gourmand Breaks Private Food, Wine and Cultural Tours gives you the chance of fine dining – contact us for your personalized quote!.

Love is in the air, everywhere I look around  (we are sure you starting singing along with those opening words!)

Yes, it’s that time of year again when shops are full of hearts and roses and oversized teddy bears proclaim I LOVE YOU!   All over the World sweethearts celebrate their love for each other on February 14th, and here’s a great Traditional Spanish Cocktail Recipe for the occasion, but remember to make sufficient for four – between the two of you – because Valentine’s Day comes but once a year!

Ingredients for Traditional Spanish Passion Cocktail Recipe (Cóctel de Pasión):

  • 2 oz gold Tequila
  • 3 oz Cranberry Juice
  • 1 oz Lime juice
  • 2 oz Grand Marnier
  • Lime slices for garnish

Method for Traditional Spanish Passion Cocktail Recipe (Cóctel de Pasión):

  • Pour the Tequila, Cranberry juice and Lime juice into a cocktail shaker with loads of ice
  • Shake Well
  • Strain into a chilled stemmed glass.
  • Splash with Grand Marnier.
  • Garnish with the slice of lime.

Romance isn’t destined to be celebrated on just one day of the year, so if you’re looking for an extra special vacation for a romantic occasion – why not take a look at our Celebrate the Date Luxury Tour which includes 5-star luxury accommodation, chauffeured transfers, wine tastings, Michelin star dining and more.

 

Turron is a typical Spanish, nougat style, delight available all over the Christmas period.  Turron flavors are diverse and there are many different varities including chocolate, truffle, lemon, cherry brandy, whiskey and so much more.   Many people gift turron to family, friends and neighbors, but this easy recipe for traditional Spanish Christmas Turron, including honey and almonds,  can be easily adapted with your favorite ingredients for an original gift this Christmas time.

Ingredients for Traditional Spanish Christmas Turron Recipe:

• 1 cup orange blossom honey
• 1 cup finely ground almonds
• 2 egg yolks
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)
• 1/8 teaspoon lemon zest (optional)
• 1 egg white, beaten stiff

Method for Traditional Spanish Christmas Turron Recipe:

Pour the honey into a saucepan and warm over a medium-low heat to 140 degrees F (60 degrees C). Stir the almonds into the warm honey and remove from the heat.

Mix the egg yolks, cinnamon, and lemon zest into the almonds. Fold the egg white into the mixture.

Line a dish with parchment paper. Pour the mixture onto the parchment paper and smooth to a 1/2-inch layer.

Place a sheet of parchment paper on top of the mixture and then place a cutting board over the paper; place a few items on top of the cutting board to give it some weight.

Once your traditional Spanish  turron has been left to dry for 3 days – cut into 1-inch squares to serve.

This Spanish sweet delicacy is best accompanied with a glass of sweet fortified dessert wine such as Moscatel or even a sweet cava.

If you would like to learn to cook traditional and authentic Spanish recipes with a professional Spanish chef, our private Cooking Tours in Northern Spain will introduce you to the best of Spanish cuisine as well as a range of culinary delights such as Michelin starred dining, exquisite wine tastings and authentic gourmet tapas tours.

 

The Festival of Ratafia in Santa Coloma de Farners, near Girona, is celebrated on the second weekend of November each year, 2010 being its 26th year of celebration. Visitors can try different brands of Ratafia and taste dishes made with the spirit by local restaurateurs, while villagers are encouraged to enter competitions for the best home-made liqueur, Ratafia plays a huge part in the Spanish culture here.  The day is rounded off with some traditional Sardana dancing. Read more