Friday, March 28, 2025

A Cool History

From a post written by Lanie Goodman from Michelin on must try dishes in Europe:

"In the heart of Andalusia, Córdoba is a city steeped in history and culture, where Islamic, Roman, and Visigothic influences blend. The city is renowned for its stunning Moorish architecture, including the iconic Great Mosque of Córdoba, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Wander through its winding streets, where white-washed buildings are adorned with colorful, flower-filled patios. Don’t miss the spectacular May event, the Córdoba Patio Festival, offering visitors a peek into the most beautiful garden courtyards of private homes.

Salmorejo, one of the most emblematic dishes of Córdoban cuisine, is a chilled, creamy dish made with ripe tomatoes, bread, extra virgin olive oil, garlic, and salt. A variation of the more widely known gazpacho, it’s especially popular in warm summer weather. The name, derived from the Arabic word “salmur” (soaked bread) refers to the use of bread as a thickening agent. Over time, salmorejo has undergone modifications, additions, and improvements, and probably dates back to ancient times as a simple mash that the Romans called "moretum". The discovery of America and the subsequent introduction of tomatoes into its ingredients marked a significant qualitative and flavor revolution, shaping the dish we know today."

Of course, this is a dish I have regularly - even in Cordoba- here are a few of my own photos of good salmorejo that I have had over the last two years - all her in Andalucia... 












From the same author and article- 

Where to try it in Cordoba:

La Casa de Manolete Bistró, where the chef, Juanjo Ruiz, a specialist in the dish, has created numerous variations—rumor has it he has developed over 600 different types of salmorejo. In one of his current recipes, the chef uses only ripe garden tomatoes and seasons the soup with mild purple garlic. The traditional garnish—chopped Iberian ham and hard-boiled eggs—is replaced with a quail’s egg, roasted peppers, and cherry tomatoes.  Other options include La Cuchara de San Lorenzo, Casa Pepe de la Judería, Casa Rubio, La Taberna de Almodóvar, and Taberna el Nº 10.

life without guests

 It's like we are empty nesters now- our 17th and 18th guest for the season have departed and we are off on a few trips before we have out last guest of the 24'15 season. Cousin Oscar is headed here April 26- May 2.  Meanwhile we are doing things like hitting our less edgy places. Last night pizza and chianti at La Piemontesa and tonight tortilla and other tapas at a bar nearby callled Casa Juan Paloma. 







Tuesday rolled around and Phil's class met for the last session before we go to Daylight Saving Time in Europe so we took advantage of the fact that it ended a 8:30 instead of 9:30 and went to Casa Juan Paloma.  We had our favorite traditional Spanish tortilla. And several other worthy courses. Originally recommended by Frank Patterson we first ate here shortly after he embarked for a Morocco and Tunisia segment of his late fall 2024 travels. We get here as often as weather and schedule allows. Good Arroz, excellent smoked tuna toasts, carpaccio of shrimp, and anchovies but the tortilla is to my mind the model of what this dish should be (including the onions!)










and then a dinner at Dos de Mayo-









and the walk home-



after a night at home - we had chicken tortilla soup and salad along with a lot of snacky items that needed to be cleared from the frig- we returned to dining out- at Casapuerta 








today was a gorgeous day with blue sky and sunshine- 



tomorrow we are off to Cádiz - and Sunday we will see Todd & Evie! so more ot follow!

Tuesday, March 25, 2025

Cousins!

Megan & Christian came on the morning train from Madrid. I met them for breakfast/brunch at ABA (a place Jennifer and Dave had gone to.) Megan & I got omelettes and Christian got a cubano sandwich. It was sunny in the morning as I crossed Plaza Nueva. We went back to the apartment and fed Phil my leftover omelette.  Later we went to MITO to have ice cream and introduce our cousins to Helena. Then we went for a coffee.  On the way home we stopped at VINUM/PLAY to do some tasting. I left them there and went home to take a nap. They came home and had a bottle of sparkling wine and were on to leftover red before we left for dinner at AMARA. 



an amuse croqueta  to start-

then the tasting menu to follow-









Some folks really enjoyed the restaurant! LOL LOL LOL

Then on Sunday we went to Desacato for lunch -it was packed! We had Cecina, and tartare de atún rojo, and then three "mains" and then shared a dessert of the tarta de queso.... all very good. 






Dinner Sunday night was a winner. Our second time dining here and we are still very impressed. "Fuera de carte" ("Outside or Off  the menu") which means specials here, we had the steak, otherwise everything is marked. We also tried to order the croquetas de Atun (another special) but they had already sold out.  Everything was excellent. No photo of this tarta de queso and after the one at lunch it just couldn't compete but Christian missed the lunch one so we ordered it to make up for that. #cousinsvisit #familyinspain














The rain from the morning let up and the sun started to peek through the clouds.  It is supposed to get better all week! On Saturday we are headed to Cádiz. Meanwhile we are having coffee with Becky and some other classmates of hers on Monday. 

Photos - on the way to coffee on Monday...