July 19th
2007
Sleeping with a wet towel draped over your body seems like the only viable option during the current heat-wave we're experiencing, and soaring temperatures surely added a fair share of heat to last week's partying, too. Our friends Carlos and Anja were hosting their 2nd International Tapas Event, a ballsy title you think? The understatement of the year I'd say - we looked at the most extensive variety of tapas I have ever seen on a single - aching under the weight - table.
Carlos' latest trip to Madrid helped him stock up on all the indispensable items and he fully drew upon his Galician background when he planned the menu: various cheeses, olives, Lomos, Jamón Ibérico, Chorizo over different Empanadas, Fideuá, Albóndigas, Níscalos to freshly made Gazpacho and Tortilla - the food was amazing and so was to learn more about traditional recipes and preparations.
Each tapa was marked with little, numbered Post-it label (1-20) that helped referencing it in everyone's tasting note sheets. We haven't received the final results yet, but recalling the yum-sounds I would say it was a tough battle between the Jamón Ibérico, the Gazpacho and the Empanadas. But a real surprise awaited us after dinner, when Carlos carefully prepared a mystical drink of Galician tradition - and a feast for the eyes! Take a peek at the below picture, any idea what he might have served us while reciting appropriate verses (*hint*)?
Spontan dachte ich an Absinth, aber Zubereitung und Farbe sind anders. Sieht sehr geil aus, wie schmeckts, was isses?
Wow, I have no idea what it is, but I want to know!
My knowledge about flambéed liqueur only covers the little B52s cocktail shots, but they are prepared right in shot glasses, not in bowls. What is it?
Caimada - but more important: Did you like it? Some say the ritual is just a trick to get rid of low-quality spirits... (knowing that Galicians are renowned for - uh - making ends meet under any circumstances).
WOW! Looks pretty awesome!
Queimada?
I'm really start getting hungry to see all this food here
I guess it might be Queimada! Thanks to wikipedia and the Galician tradition :-)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queimada
Or did I spoil the secret?
Café Cremat? Ist aber eigentlich eher in Katalonien üblich ...
At least someone's getting hot weather! ;-)
Here in UK, we've been experiencing rain pretty much non-stop, for like a month, - and tomorrow, we're expecting more rain & even a storm. yikes. And I'm doing my stall this Saturday nevertheless... help!
I don't have a clue what the drink is, but I have to say, you take the MOST amazing pictures! The food looks absolutely incredible, and the blue flames ... So, did the drink taste good?
Queimada (pronounced "kay-mah-da") it is! It's a traditional Galician punch, prepared in an earthware bowl with Galician spirit (aguardiente), lemon peel, cinnamon, coffee and sugar. It is set alight, you drink it hot and it's primary intention was to get rid of evil spirits.
All occasions are good for having a queimada drink: a party, familiar meetings or gatherings of friends. After dinner, in the darkness of night (one of the best times for it), the people who take part in it gather around the container in which it is prepared, ideally without lights, to cheer up the hearts and to be better friends. One of them ends the process of making the queimada while reciting the mystical spell holding up the burning liquid in a ladle and pouring it slowly back into the container. (quoted from Wikipedia)
A wonderful tradition in my opinion, it is so nice to gather friends and family around one table and watch the bluish flames burn down and listen to the spell (conxuro). Tastewise better than I would have expected, strong, sweet and bitter at the same time. Try it, if you have the chance to!
Queimada, of course ;)
Are you sure it's not the Goblet of Fire from Harry Potter? Maybe J.K. Rawlings was inspired by this--spells and all. It really looks amazing--great photo with the ladle in the middle.
Beautiful! Are those Churros I see?
Queimada reminds me of home :))
Hallo, wir fragen uns gerade, wie diese Mandelsüßigkeit aus dem obersten Bild (rechts unten) heißt!?!?! Hoffe, Ihr könnt uns weiterhelfen?!? Muchos saludos de Viena!
EDIT: Das sind Churros, allerdings ohne Mandeln :)
Oh, what wonderful photos, and what a great idea. I think I would have gone for the Jamon Iberico as a winner. When you get the truly good stuff, it is one of the few foods that actually makes me want to swoon with pleasure!
Hi all! I'm really amazed of the impact and popularity of the Queimada! I'll tell you the secret: it's actually gasoline with sugar... :-)
We are very happy that you all enjoyed the evening as much as we did. We'll try even harder the next time! Maybe already with our own brand of Queimada...
amazing pictures, I'm wondering about the food in the first picture at bottom right, what is it called? because I saw someone in TV having it with chocolate dip while in the middle east we have it dipped in sugar syrup
Wow! That looks like an incredible tapas experience. We just had our weekly tapas night with Evil David and his mother an we had a caprese salad,tuna burgers with wasabi mayo and avocado, spicy corn fritters with thai chili sauce (both from fellow bloggers- made by me), and a salad with king crab and avocado, and a dessert made with white nectarines, sweetened yogurt with a balsamic reduction- what an incredible night!
Luckily, i was there myself. Believe me - it was one of the most spectacular drinks that I've ever experienced. Ruth
Maisoon, If you refer to the picture next to the pot of spaghetti: we fried some old white bread with onions, garlic, chiles, bacon and thyme, before mixing it with the pasta and lots of good olive oil. If it has a name, I am not aware of it ;) But it is truly delicious!
I think Maisoon is referring to the Churros. Maisoon, we had them plain, no dips, and they were delicious! Nicky made them...
My first thought was absinthe, but that's too easy. A quick search helped me figure it out but I don't want to ruin it for others. It sounds like a wonderful tradition, I wish I could see it for myself. So spectacular! What does it taste like?