Spanish Delicatessen Expands

Orce Serrano Hams Move to New Premises.


Its been a very busy past couple of months, although the cave house was "dug out" again early last year to make more space the time eventually came when we had to move the online Spanish deli to bigger premises. One distinct benefit is being located right next door to our favourite tapas bar in Orce village so there will definatly be more recipes up and coming!

Another neighbour a few doors down is our trusty Orce butcher, he will continue to store Orce hams in his secadero but it will be infinatly more convenient to pop down the road and hand pick customer hams before packing, they don't get more Spanish than that! In most cases, orders placed before midday will now leave within 2 hours reducing delivery times for customers throughout the EU.

Moving a business is very similar to moving house... much stress, assembly of Scandinavian furniture, internet connections and continual bombardment of questions from passing locals as well as that well known thing you do in Andalucia - wait, mañana mañana! After much strife, negotiation, paperwork and the odd Cruzcampo the stage is set. The transformation has been quite a job involving several local tradesmen and a few weeks of good old graft stripping walls, laying floors and sanding a fabulous pair of thick wooden antique doors, a nice focal point to the new office.

With the exception of Spanish hams and other cured meats which are still chosen from the curing house direct all products will be in stock ready to leave to their destination. More space also means more product lines so watch out for some great new models of Spanish ham stands, olive wood servers and a colourful range of Spanish ceramics.

Up and coming features in situ will also include ham carving demonstrations for people holidaying in the area and also tapas tasting evenings in conjunction with several local suppliers in the village.

If you are passing by the area on your next Spanish visit then feel free to pop in, you can find us at Calle Angel 15, Orce 18858 Granada Spain (and we don't take siesta's..!)

Iain & Gayle

Next up ~ More recipes.

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Serrano Ham and Bean Fritters

Serrano ham and broad bean tapas can be found in almost every Andalucian bar, if not most rural bars throughout Spain. It is not uncommon to walk into a bar and see dozen upon dozen of broad bean shells scattered over the floor near the bar. This is the way broad beans are eaten in rural villages where occasionaly the bar owner will whip around with a brush and pile up the bean shells into a heap in the corner to deal with later.

First impressions for some may be that the bar is a scruffy affair but from a practical point of view (from the bar owner) the floor is actually the best place for the discarded shells afterall imagine 20 hungry punters eagerly shelling beans and leaving them on the top of the bar, simply no good as where then would you find room for your glass of fino and plate of serrano ham?

Which brings us to the next point, broad beans and ham. A good bar can go through several serrano hams per day and all these need to be carved, straight from the leg with a handful of fresh beans ~ absolutley delicious. This is however a rustic affair that you won't find in restaurants, there is though that sense of "real Spain" seeing the old boys shell broad beans with a skill us other Europeans seem to lack, washed down with a glass of fino and a few slices of local "jamon"

For the weekend, tapas in our local village are usually hot - cooked up "out the back" where every twenty minutes or so a huge plate of incredible looking food emerges to be divide up between the customers. One such recipe is fritters, not the usual ham croquettes or deep fried bacalao in breadcrumbs but that famous pairing of serrano ham and broad beans, this recipe also lends itself to a little spice - watch out, its got a kick.

Ingredients:

250g Fresh broad beans
150g Serrano ham, diced
1/4 Teaspoon hot smoked paprika (picante)
1 Small hot red chilli pepper (diced)
1 Tablespoon plain flour
1/2 a lemon
Salt
Black pepper (freshly ground peppercorns)

How to make:

1. Shell the broad beans and place into a food processor.

2. Add the diced ham along with the hot smoked paprika and chilli pepper; squeeze the juice of half the lemon into the mix.

3. Blend for a few seconds until the ingredients become the mixture of breadcrumbs.

4. Remove the mixture to a bowl or cazuela, season with salt and pepper and add the flour and mix well.

5. Meanwhile, heat a good 3cm of olive oil in a frying pan.

6. Using two tablespoons shape your fritters by rolling between the two and add to the oil, fry until deep golden brown on the outside turning occasionaly.

7. Serve with a cool yogurt and mint dip or mojo sauce.


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Spanish Tostada - Whats your Topping?

The Spanish tostada, Spain's most famous breakfast perhaps? It may get overtaken in the popularity stakes by churros during the winter months but for the rest of the year the humble tostada is favoured by most Spaniards as their preferred quick breakfast in the mornings.

Walk into any Spanish bar before lunchtime and you can order "tostada de tomate", this is the most popular version consisting of a French stick cut in half then half again lengthways, toasted then spread with tomato frito. To serve you allways receive the customary olive oil and some salt. For the braver you request a tostada de tomate "con ajo", this puts a whole different twist on your toast with the addition of raw garlic cloves being rubbed to within an inch of their life over the toast before the tomato is spread on top, a nice combination but maybe not if your on your way to the next board meeting.

Tostada (like pizza) is open to all kinds of ideas and toppings so it is allways tasty to deviate from the norm and try something different. Plain old vine ripened tomatoes, sliced and peppered work a treat as does thinly sliced serrano ham or you could try devilled mushrooms, kidneys, spinach, manchego, sobrasada, chorizo or lightly fried pancetta. The key is variation and with tostada's being so versitile you can choose almost any topping you like.

For tapas, if you are going to serve them as a starter immediatly cut the bread into cross sections to make "mini tostadas" (pic above), with a selection of ingredients and toppings handy you can create a plate of real Spanish flavour and present something both colourful and delicious for the guests.

Just don't forget the olive oil...


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A journey through time and taste: the Paradores of Spain

If you want to live in luxury for a time when you next visit Spain, then consider staying in one of the incredible Paradores that are scattered across the country. These buildings are often centuries old structures, with incredible histories and even better views. The many Paradores hotels offer a unique and exquisite dining experience, bringing together the highlights of Spain's culinary offerings and historic culture. Many of them offer themed cooking courses for guests eager to get hands on with fish & seafood, local cheeses, vegetables and game.

Parador de Ronda, Ronda
The Parador de Ronda was previously the Casa Consistorial, which means Town Hall, in Ronda in Andalusia. There are 78 rooms in this historic Parador, which holds a four-star rating. It is furnished in a contemporary style, with large sofas and chairs by the fire. The Caldereta de Chivo con Chantarelas y Castanas del Valle del Genal, or Kid Casserole with mushrooms, paprika and wine is just one of the tasty dishes served in the dining room.

Parador de Gredos, Sierra de Gredos
This beautiful Parador has been around since 1928, with pristine waters nearby that are lined with picturesque rock formations and accented by a pine forest. You can see the Piedrahita and Béjar Sierras from the hotel as well as the Gredos Massif and it overlooks the Valle del Tormes. The kitchen uses local vegetables and high quality meat for stews and soups that are some of the best in the world. English, French and Spanish are spoken there.

Parador de Cardona, Cardona
You'll think you are on the set of a big budget Hollywood movie set in the middle ages when you visit the Parador de Cardona. This hotel is a huge castle in Catalonia that is spread out over a hill and can be seen from quite a distance away. This hotel features a four star rating and is a hotspot for couples and newly-weds. The Parador de Cardona features rural cuisine such as mushrooms from the nearby forest, meat plates and Catalonian sausage.

Parador de Granada, Granada
The hotel Parador de Granada is located inside a moorish fortification called the Alhambra, a building with more historical significant than most in Spain. This four star paradise palace allows customers to experience the beauty of Alhambra, with its bell towers and thick walls and furniture that compliment the surroundings perfectly. The hotel serves dishes such as the Sacromonte omelet, biscuit rolls called piononos de Santa Fe and gazpacho andaluz.

Parador de Vielha, Vielha
Another four star resort that you will find amazing is the Parador de Vielha located in the Vall d'Aran valley. This Parador is very high up and offers incredible views of the valley with clean and elegant décor that is sure to impress any vacationer. The resort's restaurant offers world class meals, and staff think presentation as just as important as taste – typical dishes include meat rolled in cabbage leaves and trout stuffed with delicious fresh vegetables.

Guest post by Escapio.com – browse and book over 4000 unique luxury and boutique hotels in Spain and beyond.


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