Being originally from Granada, I thought that tapas could get no better than what you can find there. Granada is the city of free tapas. Yes FREE. That means, if you order a pint you'll probably get a double cheeseburger with fries for free. How could a tapa get better than that?

Well, there are probably thousands of spaniards who would agree with me. Tapas in Granada are definitely the best in Spain. 

Until you go to Bilbao...

Well, technically they are not the same, as in Bilbao they are called "pintxos" and in Granada "tapas". Also, whilst they are free in Granada, you'd need to pay for your pintxos (usually around 1.5‎€ each). 

So... conflict of interest over.

Monterias or Stuffed Mussels

This week we've been visiting my husband's family and friends. They live in Cazorla, one of the most amazing villages in Andalucia, Southern Spain. Boasting an abundance of wildlife, breathtaking scenery, crystal clear rivers & tranquil alpine meadows, Cazorla is a charming place.

Covering over 2,000 km2, it is the largest protected reserve in Spain and the second largest in Europe. It was declared a biosphere reserve by UNESCO in 1983.

Two of the Spain’s most important rivers, the Guadalquivir and the Segura, have their sources in Cazorla. Water is abundant in the park, with innumerable crystal clear, trout-filled rivers winding their way through some of the wildest scenery in Spain.

Mashed Potato Bombs #12week

This year I have not written any New Year´s resolution. Amongst many other reasons, because I would probably have failed to keep any of the resolutions within one week. As I’ve done for the last… erm… many years.

As you can read here, I love lists. . So after being absolutely amazed by a project from the inspirational Moorea Seal called 52 Week Project, I decided to start the 12 Week Project,

I thought it was a brilliant idea, and because I love lists, I honestly believed it was going to be an easy one.

How wrong I was. "List the words that touch your soul" was the first list challenge I have faced.

Bacon & Date Skewers

Tapas is a very Spanish way of eating by grabbing a bite here and there. The tapas concept seems to fill British taste buds with excitement. The problem is the misinterpretation of the concept tapas, which seems to have evolved into the following: Tapas; a really small version of a pseudo-Spanish dish for which you will pay twice the amount the full plate will cost.

It really looks like Chinese whispers to me. When travelling from Spain to the UK a simple, plain, straightforward concept has been turned upside down?

Cured Ham, Spinach and Parmesan Croquettes

Last week I wrote about happiness. This week is the turn to love.

 Valentines is around the corner and everyone seems to be a little bit more happy. Or maybe it is because January is almost over, and let’s be honest, it is not the best of months. And yes, I agree. Valentines was invented by the big brands just to give us another excuse to spend our money. It is such a post-Christmas overspending withdrawal syndrome.  But leaving the consumerism aside, Valentines give us the chance to give and receive love.