Tag: Catalonia

Salazar’s chocolate cake experience in L’ampolla

It pays to eavesdrop! My ears pricked up when I heard ‘Chocolate cake’ being discussed by walkers passing us by, trampling on the wooden promenade in the quaint seaside town of L’ampolla stretching alongside the Mediterranean Coastline. Fortunately, they stooped to tie a trainer’s shoelace and they continued drooling on about what an amazing luncheon they had over-indulged in, at the new restaurant Salazar. Salazar is at the top of the town.

Thursday afternoon 13th of April (indeed my lucky number!) I ventured out to test this for myself.

I was met by such a congenial host George Pieper that hails from California and -drum role- had even lived in Mountain View. ( Flashbacks of such happy memories there.) He got my vote! I ordered Cafe Americano and a slice of chocolate cake that comes with a solitary fresh strawberry, complimented with vanilla ice cream (my choice over chocolate ice cream). I wanted to taste the chocolate in the cake as a stand-alone flavour.

So where am I? (Carrer Banys 43, L’ampolla ) https://salazars.es/

I settled down on the sunny outside terrace (protected somewhat from the wind) to enjoy, not only the culinary moment but a view that I never ever tire of watching, the aquamarine-blueness of the sea contrasting with the blue and white sky brightness, adorned with bougainvillaea framing the foreground. The Beach Avellana was practically empty. A bare-chested lone fisherman balanced on the rocky outcrop. His body was already deeply tanned and he was not dissuaded from the pesty cold wind that kept whipping up unexpectedly.

I sighed, not so bad being a woman alone this afternoon. I was at peace with my world. I idly watched my grandson Adria happily waiting at tables at the neighbouring restaurant – Comodoro. He had donned a blue ‘hoody’ tracksuit top to brace the wind as he scurried back and forth, to tables on the terrace overlooking the sandy beach.

Gosh! This coffee is so good. Cafe’ American is perfect. Just how I like it. Served in a charming coffee cup (that a man-sized hand could hold the handle with ease). Ecologica inscribed on the inside brim in gold and boastings of Cafes Brasilias on its side with quiet elegance. Mmm! I sip the coffee slowly not wanting this moment of enchantment to end.

I’ve lived in Terres del Ebre since 2004 (L’ampolla 2021 to present) and this is our lament where can we share late afternoon coffee and cake out with friends, but not have to buy a full meal to arrive a the postre trolley. I know it is a frightfully British habit. I also know that my Dutch and German friends – even the Swiss who live out in the el campo or tourists who come down in their motorhomes seek out this social event. Besides Wednesday is Market Day here in L’Ampolla. Why not stroll around the local stalls working your way upwards and Voile! Salazar’s is at the top waiting with whatever food you require for lunch or maybe just tea/coffee and cake of Chef Herve Plormel’s choice of the day.

Now we can hook up at Salazar be it mid-morning, lunch grill and so on, or high tea time!

Aaah! My cake has arrived. Ooh- aah! The moistness looks just right. A lovely fresh large strawberry (not bottled t.g.f.t.) sliced in half embraces its side. A wonderful generous spoonful of vanilla ice cream sits proudly out front. Elegant, sweeps of swirls of strawberry sauce complete the perfect presentation across two stylishly cut slices of chocolate cake, on a glistening white plate.

( Aside: “Nothing is bought in. Everything is ‘homemade on-site,” proudly shared by George Pieper.)

Now for the cake test…

It is not often I am silent for so long. It is seldom I do not talk while I eat or glance at my mobile. NO Sir- no! I do not stop except for a pause and sip my coffee. It may seem insignificant to some, but I was impressed that they provided a really decent-sized and thickness of napkin. ( Quite essential for folk of my age if they are inclined like me to miss my mouth and land on my ‘shelf’.)

That cake was scrumptious, delicious -out of this world.

“I will be back!”

(c) Rosie Reay

Ebrovoice -Let the words flow…

@theebrovoice

Costa Woman online – something for every woman living in Spain.

In order to spread the word the Welcome on this site says it all: “Costa Women is a social community and business networking group for women living in Spain to share friendship, support and provide knowledge about living in this vibrant country.”

There are so many different groups already in operation from Writers to Green fingers and so on. On the other hand why not join up and form a group that is prevalent to you. You will definitely receive support and will make many new friends and colleagues.

This is  a wonderful  platform for networking your own interests and business, then going onto to hook up with them on Twitter, (@rosiereay), Facebook and LinkedIn.

You also receive a monthly newsletter and you can advertise and promote local events fiestas and write abut anything, not sordid nor derogatory prose.  I’ve homed in on other members blogs and have found empathy and friendship with ladies in other parts of  Spain. It is so interesting to see how other people live their lives and become part of their environment. It amazes me daily as I continually marvel at finding out something new or learning about  somewhere else.

Yet, you don’t  leave behind your old friends as once you are a member you can invite them to join. It is brilliant!

 Rosie Reay  from Catalonia, Costa Daurada  would love to see more people from our comargue on there. It is not just for the charming and delightful ladies of  the southern costas. You may even find friends on there you know already.

 

Fig harvesting Jesús style

Figs are very topical as we go into harvest festival and our black and green fruit are bursting in their fullness in the autumn sunshine.

But what do you do with all this figgyness ripening all together?

There is only so much fig  jam you can make! Figgy pudding seems to sit well on the stomach at Christmas time. So September is a touch early for stodgey food.

Fresh figs are interesting, so too are figs bottled in a dry white wine and (are ideal for up to three months or more)  served with scoops of Nestlé vanilla ice cream. If you are fortunate or crafty enough to have made drying trays you can dry them in the open air through the day and bring the trays under dry cover on an evening and then packet and freeze them.

But I want something different. I want cake!

Oh Yum Yum and more yum- totally yumtious -go on give them a try!

  Check out the these websites below. Let me know which is your favourite by adding  a comment or share with me yours.

http://allrecipes.com/Search/Recipes.aspx?WithTerm=fig%20cakes

Ooh look there are more:

http://www.applepiepatispate.com/fruit/pan-de-higo-spanish-fig-cake/  This looks so easy to make too!

Now this is a must for all my gluten free friends (and tempting to others too) to try: – chocolate fig cake

http://glutenfreeday.com/?p=39

Oh yes, madre mia bake me another one!

Now I wonder if there is a recipe out there for fig fridge cake?

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