I have spent the past fifteen mornings waking up to the sound of pealing church bells just outside my bedroom window. The glorious view of the church, palace and gardens have greeted me each morning, along with brilliant blue skies, it has felt like a little piece of heaven.
Upon returning to England yesterday our driver took the 'scenic' route from the airport. This took us through what were once pretty little villages and countryside, however, what struck me was how built up and claustrophobic everywhere felt. Toy town houses are being squeezed into every available space and with that comes more cars and more traffic, I felt slightly suffocated.
Our driver spoke about the relentlessness of pace here in England and I have to say it strikes me more and more each time I return from Spain. There is no ignoring the amount of huge supermarket chains blotting our landscape and the fact that on a day of rest, Sunday is honoured in Spain, we Brit's see nothing unusual in traipsing around Asda on a Sunday afternoon.
Due to the surge of British and other nationalities moving to Spain over recent years, supermarkets have grown in strength in Spain, however, the lack of convenience food does encourage people to shop like the Spanish, at the local market and shops, which encourages proper cooking.
For two whole weeks I have had the pleasure of not seeing a processed ready-meal, I have eaten fish and seafood freshly caught, I have picked limes from the tree and made a refreshing cordial, my neighbour presented me with mandarinas he had picked that same day.
Notice the colour, we are used to bright orange mandarins which have already lost half their juice.
Delicious fresh gambas al ajillo
Fresh calamari
Pulpo
Clams in garlic and olive oil
Sadly we Brit's have become conditioned to eating food from a packet that is full of preservatives and flavourings, Spanish food is primarily about freshness and simplicity, olive oil, garlic and salt are often all that are needed to enhance fresh fish and seafood because the freshness speaks for itself.
I hope that these photos will inspire you to see the beauty in simple fresh ingredients and not be taken in by the horrors of ready-meals
This is the type of food that sends chills down my spine
A stew or casserole has no place in a preserved plastic container! Food writer Tom Parker Bowles advocates the less-is-more philosophy saying: 'You can't go wrong with a simple stew made from beef shin, a stock cube, a can of tinned tomatoes, a few herbs, and some salt and pepper, cooked in a slow cooker or low oven for five hours. It's not about being parsimonious, it's really good food, learn the technique of slow cooking cheap cuts and suddenly a whole new world opens up.'
A typical Spanish dish of slow cooked ox tail
I look forward to sharing more recipes and stories with you now I am home xxxxxxx
'For me, food is about bringing family and friends together around the table. It soothes, it cossets, it creates happiness. Food is the great universal experience, with a power way beyond the simple act of eating.'
- Tom Parker Bowles.
Couldn't agree more Tom! A very Spanish philosophy.
Love Donna xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
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