little bites

A few weeks ago, we had a friend over for dinner -- there was only one problem. We don't have enough chairs to all sit at the dining room table, nor did we have a coffee table (we do now!), so any food that required big plates was out of the question.
The solution? Small bites.
Tapas.... =)
So, here they are on our dining room table, from left to right (and sort of squiggly in order):

• homemade sangria on ice (we made it with lemon, oranges, lime, and apples - and strawberries? I can't remember.)
  
• tortilla de patatas (we only have one non-stick fry pan, and it's a big pan, so our tortillas come out super-skinny, but still delicious)
• manchego, feta, and chorizo (sweet, not spicy)
• mixed olives from the Healthy Living olive bar (my favorite are the bright green Catalán olives that are hot-pickled with chiles and celery)
• salted peanuts
• assorted Spanish sweets - candied fruits "bathed" in chocolate, and pine nut toffees
• smoked almonds
• fresh strawberries
• sweet yellow pear tomatoes and red cherry tomatoes
• zesty gazpacho
  
• pastelitos de gambas (shrimp pastries - Spanish-style egg rolls made with sauteed vegetables and two shrimps apiece - I learned how to make these when I worked for Paulino in Madrid)
• delicious soft rolls from A Taste of Europe

In the top of the photo you can just barely see a near-black sunflower peeking out -- these were supposed to be crimson-colored and only 12" tall, so I planted them in the front of the garden. This did not work out - they are taller than me.

Other tapas posts :
tapas party
bites in San Sebastián - Donostia
tapas at the piso
tapas with Kay & José
tapas in Barcelona
first real tapas in Madrid
little bites in Boston!
Delicious discovery - cured duck! (Madrid)
bites in Granada
back to Dalí!
a few days in the Berwicks

Delicious discovery - cured duck! (Madrid)

We found this at Degusto gourmet store one day while shopping - it's incredibly flavorful, rich and perfectly salted. A great find and a beautiful addition to our tapas dinner below:

Olives and cocktail pickles skewers, croquetas, smokey cheese spread, tortilla, bread and breadsticks, mixed cheeses and cured meats, and zesty salads with feta.

tapas at the piso

Tapas on Monday night... bread, chorizo, salchichón (cured sausage), goat cheese, lomo (cured pork loin), queso tierno, breadsticks, la salsita deliciosa de José, tortilla, stuffed olives, cherry tomatoes, pickles and cocktail skewers, fried peppers, tuna and marinated sardines. And of course, Sweppes Orange Spirit.

tapas with Kay & José

Dinner last Friday with Kay & José, our favorite madrileños... From the back of the table, left to right, marinated sardines, mussels with a delicious sauce, empanadas, potato salad, croquetas (ham), ham & cheese, tortilla, fried peppers, stuffed olives, AMAZING sautéed chicken with mushrooms, croquetas (cod), ham, delicious sauce that went on the mussels, and breadsticks. Delicious!!!

chorizo and potato tortilla

Grad party!

We had a party with friends and family at our house yesterday to celebrate my graduation from college. It's unbelievable how fast the past four years have flown by. As usual, it was my goal to fill everyone's tummy with good food. Here's what was on the menu:

On the Spanish app table:

• Tortilla (Spanish potato omelette)
• Manchego (traditional sheep cheese from La Mancha)
• Membrillo (quince paste -- traditionally paired with manchego)
• Spicy Catalan olives
• Bread, of course
  
• Pastelitos de gambas (shrimp egg-roll style bites -- learned how to make these in Madrid) *
  

On the veg app table:

• Fresh fruit
• Veggies & dip (we found the cutest little yellow baby carrots!)

On the un-named app table:

• Chips & 2 salsas
• Cinnamon chips & fruit salsa (by Jane)
• Boucher Blue Cheese (by Green Mountain Blue Cheese @ Boucher Family Farm)
  
• Vermont Butter & Cheese Chevre
• Bread & crispy bagel chips
• More fresh fruit

On the kitchen island:

• Maple Whiskey Pulled Chicken from Picante Dulce *
  
• Zesty coleslaw
• Cabot Hunter's Cheddar & rolls for making chicken sandwiches
• Dakin Farm maple glazed ham
  
• Grape tomato, fresh mozzarella, and basil salad
• Spinach, red cabbage, and cilantro salad (thanks to an SMC Spanish prof for that idea!)
• Southwest black bean, corn, and red pepper salad
• Potato salad (by my great aunt)
• Roasted veggie, orzo, and feta salad

For dessert:

• Strawberry trifle!
• Oatmeal & cinnamon chip cookies

* MMcC -- I saved you some in the freezy!

a few days in the Berwicks

I spent a few days last week in the Berwicks (in Southern Maine) with a good friend. It was a welcome vacation from the work involved in completing my final college semester. We spent our time doing some outlet shopping in Kittery, walking along the Marginal Way in Ogunquit, picking up some salt water taffy at Perkins Cove Candies, and of course -- enjoying delicious food!

The first night I was there, she took me to a place called Tapas & Tini's, which was quite fitting since I'm completely in a Spanish food deficit. While the tortilla (Spanish potato omelette) was not quite what I'm used to, I must remember what a friend told me last year. ("It doesn't matter how you make it, because everyone makes it differently. There's at least one person out there who has made it the same way.") The empanadas were quite delicious, filled with tender chicken and potatoes, and wrapped in a flaky and brightly colored (sweet potato?) dough. We also enjoyed the tomates adobados, or marinated tomatoes, which were served on zesty slices of toast. Of course, I felt compelled to order a martini, so I chose the Hendrick's Cucumbertini (pictured here), which reminded me sharply that I have not had gin in quite some time. Overall, it was a meal to be repeated!

The next night, she took me to Tío Juan's Margaritas Mexican Restaurant, where I was finally able to sample the infamous Heavens to Margatroid margarita, which is made with 7 liquors and promises to be "an out of world experience". Whether you choose to have it frozen or on-the-rocks, it's delicious! And if you're looking for a light dinner (or one that's light on the wallet), consider splitting the steak and chicken combo fajitas. It's the perfect amount of food for two, and it's delicious!

While I was in the Berwicks, I also visited Dairy Queen for the first time EVER, and my friend introduced me to a delicious chips & dip combo. It's somewhat of a local product combo, as both the artichoke dip (not your typical artichoke dip!) and the tortilla strips are made in Concord, NH. They're made by Mitchell's, and the artichoke dip is to-die-for! It's not as heavy as traditional spinach & artichoke dip but is just as addicting. The tortilla strips are perfectly seasoned, slightly nutty, and a welcome break from mass-produced supermarket tortilla chip. Mitchell's claim to fame is their Fresh Salsa, but they offer 10 fresh sauces/dips/salsas in total, along with their tortilla strips. Of course, I had to take some strips and dip back to VT with me. =)

On the way out of town, I stopped off at Duston's Bakery and Deli in Dover, NH to pick up a few treats for my friends. They make the best whoopie pies around, and actually make pumpkin whoopie pies! They're AMAZING.

All in all, it was a fantastic trip!

Tapas in Barcelona

28-Dec-2008

We got into Barcelona a little before 8 am on a Sunday... Not the prime time to get the true feel of a Spanish city. =)

After dropping our bags at the hostal, we set out to find some coffee and warm food. We settled on a small restaurant near Las Ramblas that serves both tapas and classic Spanish fare.

We started off with café con leche (coffee with milk) and a bocadillo (cold sandwich) of chorizo (garlicky pork sausage seasoned with paprika), cheese and tomato. Then we moved onto tapas: patatas bravas (fried potatoes served with a spicy sauce), warm marinated mushrooms, and txistorra (or chistorra -- chili and paprika seasoned pork sausage).

tapas party

For my madre's birthday, we had a tapas party at our house.



Here's what was on the menu:
(from furthest dishes to closest)

• roasted vegetables with caramelized Vermont Butter & Cheese Company's chevre
• thinly sliced chorizo wrapped in puff pastry
• zesty chunky tomato-based gazpacho
• bites of tortilla (Spanish potato omelette)
• mushroom caps stuffed with Willow Hill Farm's Blue Moon blue cheese
• patatas bravas (bites of potato with spicy tomato dipping sauce)
• dishes of chorizo and olives
• roasted citrus & garlic shrimp with romesco sauce (roasted red pepper sauce)
  
• romaine & radicchio salad with thinly-sliced bosc pears, Green Mountain Blue Cheese's Boucher Blue, and a light lemon vinaigrette

Bites in Granada

First things first: If you need a place to stay, check out La Casa de Rafa (also called El Numero 8). Innkeeper Rafael is awesome, and very knowledgeable about Granada. He actually meets you a few streets away before you check in (it's very hard to find the place if you don't know where you're going!), and on the way to the hotel he shows you a few local restaurants.

One restaurant, Mesón del Trillo (Callejón del Algibe de Trillo, 3) serves up a wonderful array of delicious cuisine. For starters, their bread is clearly NOT frozen, and before you can decide what you'd like to eat, they place an apertif in front of you (our server told me they take one of their dishes and make a puréed version since they don't offer soups on the menu). The one we had included fava beans (habas en Español) and was very tasty. For an app, try the tomato salad.
Between the salad and our main dishes, we were presented with a second tiny glass, this time a palate-cleansing shot of pineapple sorbet.
For the main dishes, try the pork medallions with mustard sauce, or their delicious house-specialty rice dish (it includes artichokes, fava beans and small clams).
For dessert, try the cheesecake, the blackberry "cake" or the bizcocho de avellana con chocolate caliente.
This very well may have been the best meal I have ever eaten, and the servers are well-deserving of a 15% tip (VERY generous, judging that it is common to not give tips at all). Also, the local Granada wine on the menu adds yet another enjoyable facet to the meal. I highly recommend this establishment.

If you are not in the mood for going out and you want to cook in your own kitchen (or the one in your aparthotel), check out the Mercado Central. There is an abundance of fresh fruits and veggies, seafoods, meats and cheeses.

There are also a number of fruterías scattered around the city, and I even stumbled across a spice/tea market.



As far as tapas go, you really do get them for free in Granada. With the order of any alcoholic beverage (try the tinto de verano -- vino tinto + Fanta limón) or refresco, you can expect a selection of tapas. We visited one bar and received small ham & cheese sandwiches on bagel-type bread, a heap of tuna & pasta salad, and tater chips with a ketchup-like sauce and creamy dip. Of course, you can always go to a bar and order raciones (plates) of tapas, but you'll have to pay for them, and there's only one rule: They have to be tasty.

Bites in San Sebastián - Donostia

Spent the weekend in San Sebastián - Donostia with some friends, and enjoyed some delicious cuisine. If you are at a loss for where to go, check out the following suggestions:

• Pick up some local pastries at a pastelería, some fresh strawberries at a frutería, and head to the beach for a relaxing breakfast
  
• La Tahoma (pastelería/pastry shop in Gros, on San Franzisco) has a huge selection of pastries and breads.
• There are tons of pastry shops and bakeries, however, so take your pick. =)
• If you're there on a Saturday, check out the farmers' market in Gros and pick up some local goods -- breads, local goat or cow cheeses (sample some from the lady that sells only goat cheese... it's delicious!), baked goods, veggies and fruits, or flowers.
  
• Sample some delicious local seafood at Freiduría San Francisco in Gros (They have a selection of fried fish, grilled fish and shellfish. Try the gambas a la plancha -- grilled prawns, tortitas de camarones -- crispy fritters made with absolutely tiny shrimp, and fried chipirones -- crispy fried whole baby squid.
• For delicious Italian food, try La Mama Vía (Paseo Colón). They have a selection of pizzas, pastas, salads, and risottos. Try the pizza primavera (with chorizo and green pepper), the pizza la toscana (with chorizo, chicken and hot peppers), or the risotto quatro formaggio (four-cheese).
• Hit up any number of bars (they are all over the place -- Bar Barandiarán on Avda. Boulevard is just one) for local pintxos (pronounced "peen-chose") and a cold beer. Pintxos (or pinchos) are like tapas (appetizers), but refer to a specific type of appetizer. The words pintxo and pincho mean thorn (in Spanish and Portuguese, respectively), and a pintxo consists of a slice of bread, a topping, and a toothpick (aka. the thorn) holding it all together. Common toppings include fish -- tuna, bacalao, smoked salmon or anchovies, faux crab or tortilla de patatas (Spanish potato omelette). See photo below of pintxos and tapas...

First real tapas in Madrid

If you really want to get off the tourist trail in Madrid, there are two places you HAVE to visit.

1. Lhardy, a restaurant/shop that has been in business since 1839. You can try their famous caldo -- beef consommé, and enjoy a sweet or savory pastry (I had a savory pastry with some sort of spicy sausage filling... Tasty!!).

2. Casa Labra -- a restaurant/tavern that has been in business since 1960. If you hit them up at lunch time, you can try their tapas de bacalao -- a piece of codfish that is battered and fried, or their croqueta de bacalao -- a codfish croquette. Both are delicious! To wash it down, try a tiny glass of vermouth (rojo, not blanco). However, keep in mind that there's often a line going out into the street (check out the pic!), and it's standing room only once you get inside. It's worth it, though!

Back to Dalí!

My dad and I visited Dalí again in Somerville, MA. We ordered most of the same things we did last time. The food was INCREDIBLE. The only problem with going there for dinner is that you keep comparing it to other restaurants afterwards and nothing measures up....

We started with:

• Warm homemade bread with a garlicky (and a little olive-y) chickpea spread
• Cava Sangria (Sangria made with Cava -- Spanish sparkling wine)

For tapas, we ordered:

• Tortilla Española - warm potato and onion omelette... my favorite Spanish food
• Pimiento del Piquillo - delicious red peppers with a shrimp stuffing
• Lomito al Cabrales - thin pieces of pork tenderloin in a light and creamy sauce of Cabrales and mushrooms... my favorite dish of the night!
• Langostinos a la Plancha - perfectly grilled prawns in their shells
• Esparragos Blancos - white Spanish asparagus with two sauces

For dessert:

• I had Flan de Leche de Cabra (flan made from goat milk)
• My dad had Manchego y Membrillo (classic Spanish sheep cheese with quince paste)
  

Little Bites in Boston!

My dad surprised me recently with an invitation to a tapas restaurant... Last week, when I travelled to Boston with my parents, we stopped off in Somerville for tapas at Dali (Restaurant & Tapas Bar). Here is what we enjoyed:

• Warm homemade bread with a garlicky chickpea spread
• Plato Mixto - a selection of Spanish cheeses, Serrano ham, salami and roasted peppers
• Tortilla Española - warm potato and onion omelette... my favorite Spanish food
• Pimiento del Piquillo - delicious red peppers with a shrimp stuffing
• Lomito al Cabrales - thin pieces of pork tenderloin in a light and creamy sauce of Cabrales and mushrooms... my favorite dish of the night!
• Conejo Escabechado - red wine braised rabbit
• Langostinos a la Plancha - perfectly grilled prawns

We washed everything down with fruity sangria (and for my mom, a cerveza). For dessert, we enjoyed Flan de Leche de Cabra... Flan made with goat's milk. Rich, creamy, sweet and delicious. Served with a berry sauce, it was the perfect ending.