Well, I have had a fabulous 10 days at my home in Jacarilla Spain and have returned home feeling relaxed, and despite more than my fair share of vino tinto, rejuvenated.
Due to the fact that we spend so much time in Spain it's easy to become complacent regarding how wonderful the food and restaurants are. However, we were accompanied by two friends whose appreciation of their gastronomic experience made me yet again appreciate how lucky I am!
Most restaurants in rural Spain double as bars, eating is an informal, relaxed affair and the majority of establishments are family run with a mother or wife cooking traditional food in the kitchen while other family members serve and entertain customers. In many traditional restaurants food is quite basic and menus consist of only a few dishes per day as opposed to many of our restaurants in the UK which offer anything from Thai curry, lamb shanks, smothered chicken, moussaka............
Spaniards value freshness above all other considerations, they would rather buy fruit grown in the next village than imported produce even if it means limiting their options. Bearing in mind that before Spain developed a powerful tourist economy, the country was essentially rural and it's economical base was agricultural, Spaniards have produced and eaten fruit and vegetables associated with ripeness, flavour and vibrant colours all their lives and haven't compromised in the way we have in the UK.
A large tomato cut in half, drizzled with olive oil and a sprinkling of salt would hardly appeal to us Brit's as an appetiser. Tomatoes exported to Britain are harvested before they are fully ripened by the sun. Still green and firm, so that they survive transportation, they are gassed with ethylene to turn them red and far from the juicy, sweet tomato picked ripe from the vine, we encounter the watery, flavourless version.
Mediterranean cuisine is characterised by its wide range of healthy, fresh ingredients based on fruits, vegetables, olive oil, fish, seafood, and plenty of garlic. To eat in a rural restaurant is to experience home cooked food made with simple ingredients, no fancy foams or elaborate sauces or vegetables cut to within an inch of their lives!
When we arrived home to England needless to say I didn't have much in the way of fresh ingredients for our supper, still tingling from all the delicious flavours of Spain I used a couple of store cupboard ingredients to make this dish, it was delicious!
Tinned tomato salad
Recipe
400g tin chopped tomatoes
Tin pole and line caught tuna
1 garlic clove, peeled and crushed
Olive oil
Balsamic vinegar
Salt and pepper
6-8 olives, cut in half
Drain tuna and place in a bowl
Crush garlic into bowl
Add chopped tomatoes and combine well
Add chopped olives, drizzle with olive oil and balsamic vinegar
Season with salt and pepper to taste, serve with crusty bread
This would also be delicious served with pasta as a light evening meal
'Bendita la cocinera que sirve amor y risas'
'Bless the cook who serves love and laughter'
-Spanish proverb
Lots of love Donna xxxxxxx
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