This French tradition of serving a frangipane filled tart known as the ‘galette des rois’ (or the ‘gateau des rois’ in the South of France) on, or around the 6th January, (the first Sunday of each New Year) actually dates back to the 14th century.
A dinner party in France is seen very much as an opportunity for friends and family to spend quality time together and can last several hours and sometimes cover six courses or more.
French poet Leon-Paul Fargue described eating oysters as like ‘kissing the sea on the lips’.
Exotic, erotic by reputation….and not everybody’s tasse de thé, the sight and texture of an oyster has made many a strong man (and woman) gag. Still alive as you tip it into your mouth, might it wriggle and jiggle and wiggle inside, like the old day who swallowed a spider?
As the evening temperatures continue to decrease and the nights grow longer, it’s definitely time for comforting stews which promote a sense of well-being and contentment, especially since this recipe has the colours of the Catalan flag too!
Chestnut season is here, and the shops are full of pumpkins, why not combine the two and make some soup?
Too many cherries? Cherry Brandy anyone?
I don’t think I have been in a tapas bar from Sanlucar to Girona, Madrid to San Sebastián, which has not had this dish on their menu. It is possibly the epitome of Spanish tapas. After decades of sampling versions filled with all sorts of exciting ingredients, I have come to the conclusion that the traditional Catalan Truita de Patata is simply the best.
Here’s a tortilla recipe (Spanish omelette) a friend from Navarra gave me that delivers top results every time – as long as you follow it to the letter. And the first letter is R, for Rioja.
New garlic thrives around the Mediterranean, and its perfume can be detected on a spring walk through the woods and hillsides of the P.O. Don’t be tempted to eat this wild variety, as it is extremely pungent.
A teatime treat baked on rare rainy days by Kate’s husband, Olivier!