What you’ve all been waiting for…

I recently realized that I titled this blog with the intent to recount my culinary experiences more frequently than I have been.  Nevertheless, I have been having amazing food here in Spain, mostly because I live with possibly the best cook in the country: my host sister Elena.

I’ve already explained the meal structure here in Spain, but just for a quick recap I will remind you that lunch is the largest meal of the day.  It contains multiple courses and is eaten before siesta (because after eating that much food in the middle of the day, it’s impossible not to pass out for an hour or two).  In my family, lunch generally begins with a larger, heavier course followed by a lighter one.  Bread is eaten with most meals, sometimes accompanied by cheese and/or slices of ham or sausage.  Dessert follows, which is usually fruit or yogurt.

Last week, Keely and I came home after school to find Elena hard at work.  The end product was this:

huevos a la flamenca

Huevos a la Flamenca is a traditional Andalucian (specifically Sevillan) dish that includes fried eggs, vegetables, and often a light tomato sauce.  It is usually served with patatas fritas, or fried potatoes.  Homemade huevos a la flamenco was nearly a religious experience.  In addition to this, I was able to snap some photos of my family, despite their protestations.

from left: Keely, mama (Charo), Elena, and Maria

happy family

Another gastronomic delight I experienced recently was the aforementioned restaurant in Cádiz, a gem that we learned about in our Lonely Planet: Andalucía book.  It was so fantastic that I returned last weekend, this time with Keely and Bryson.  We ordered tempura cheese niblets drizzled in honey, lightly breaded and fried baby squid (or potentially eel, it’s a little unclear…) goat cheese toasts with blueberry sauce, and patatas bravas, which is a Spanish fried potato dish with tomato aioli.  If this isn’t enough to make you pack your bags and grab the next overpriced international flight, you should know that this meal cost us 8€ per person.  Get yourself to Cádiz, and spend enough time to try everything on this menu.

tempura cheese and patatas bravas

devouring some seafood

goat cheese and blueberry sauce

Soon I will recount Bryson’s visit to Sevilla and my accomplishments this week (talking politics with my intercambio and having my first professional Spanish phone conversation) but currently it is 100 degrees here in my beautiful city, and I just ate one of Elena’s fantastic meals.  Consequently, I will be taking my siesta at this time, with great delight.  Hasta luego!