Since Kari and I need to get use to spending time together, we thought this might be a nice dry run. We showered and dressed and headed out for our day at cooking school or as some might say our first steps on our culinary journey. I am not sure who says that, probably just me.
We met Rosa, our guide and our chef at 10 AM. Rosa was everything you wanted in an instructor. She made us instantly feel relaxed and welcomed. Our conversation was easy as we discussed food and family. Kari and I agreed to try some traditional dishes found in Cantalonia.
Just like that we were off to the market
Buying fresh vegetables with Rosa.
If you are in a foreign country and at the market, one strategy would be to watch where the little old ladies go to buy their fresh vegetables and meats.
Rosa and Kari discussing cured meats and pigs being feed only acorns for 2 years. We discussed how adventurous we wanted to be today but pigs feet and rabbit brains were just a little too much for us.
Legs of Ham (Jamón)
Squid !!!
This is our cockles, mussels and razor clam guy.
Cheeses!!! We picked up a truffle sheep cheese, a goat’s milk cheese and a cow cheese from near the ocean. The salt blows onto the grass and the extra salt gives it an amazing flavor.
Cheese and more Cheese
We didn’t need any of this but when you know you know… sometime you need to shout it from the rooftops.
Back at the kitchen. Getting ready to work.
This is the custard. Whole milk, sugar, starch and egg whites. As Rosa put lemon peels and a cinnamon stick in the milk as she brought it to a boil. We started here because this will need to cool for our dessert. I cannot begin to tell you how good this tasted. Amazing
Fresh strawberries will top our custard
The ingredients for lunch
Onions and salt. Sweated down then we added in a little white wine. Rosa said at home she might sweat these down over low heat for more than 1 hour.
Special guest appearance from Ashley after she finished class. Thankful she was able to come and help us eat some of the food.
Searing the prawns
Kari and Rosa now cooking our finely chopped red onion. Rosa thought Kari had some skills in the kitchen. Not surprising if you have ever met her mom and dad.
Cool those onions girl!!!
Pasta and Squid go in the dish next.
On the other side peas blanched and then added to our onions
Blood sausages: Left with rice on the right with onion
Final product: seared blood sausage with orange zest and olive oil
Final product: seasonal peas with caramelized onions and thinly slice Ibrión Jamon.
The Sous chefs relaxing and waiting for dinner to arrive.
A traditional Catalonian Fideua with squid, prawns, cockles and mussels
Creama Catalana with strawberries.
This is to die for…to die for!!!!!
We washed it down with a little local white wine.
The family and Rosa. Rosa made this experience so wonderful. Most of the visit felt just like friends catching up and not a cooking class. We had a little time to kill during the day still but how could we continue. I have rarely been that full.
Little attraction on the walk back to the hotel after class
We love B-A-R-C-A
B-A-R-C-A
A random statue
The narrow streets of Barcelona
Kari and I walked to the Picasso Museum. Here we are in front photos of the collection
The museum really show Picasso progression as he ages.
Early Portrait of a man
Mountain landscape
The coast
The patient in the bed and the bed will feel like it changes positions as you move from the right to the left
Rural cottage
Girl looking out a window
Portrait of his friend, Carles Casagemas.
This portrait was from Picasso’s time in Paris
Rooftops of Barcelona during the blue period
Picasso was aware of his celebrity and started creating still life paintings they also show how other artist influenced his style. You can see element of Monét or Van Gogh in this painting
More surreal
A portrait of his assistant
Picasso created several versions of the same painting
Look you can see how these are all a common theme
Kari and I leaving the Picasso museum. That glow may be coming from the fact that today we were both culinary and cultured.
The Arc de Triomphe in Barcelona. Which was for the 1888 Universal Exhibition and celebrated Barcelona being the first city of Spain 🇪🇸
More Arc de Triomphe
The lights were installed for the World Fair and demonstrated the new technology of electricity. The walk is lined on both side with these light poles.
Statue at the far end of the Plaza. Citadel park is behind the statue.
You can’t get enough of the Arc de Triomphe.
Estrella tastes good after a busy day
A few drinks to go with a late night snack
Grilled octopus ❤️
Tuna !!
The ambience at El Chigre 1769.
A few night shots of Barcelona
Sculpture by the cathedral of Barcelona.
We are well feed and tired tonight. Early morning tomorrow as we catch a train to Madrid. We really had a pretty great day today. Hopefully we can keep it going in Madrid.
No comments:
Post a Comment