Tag Archives: Spanish

Frost Loves Spanish Skincare brand Sepai

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With the last couple days highlighting that summer is nearly upon us, many of us realise that after the year we’ve had, our skin needs some TLC.
Spanish skincare brand, Sepai delivers ultra-performing, customisable skincare that mimics the effect of a personal trainer for your skin, with the ultimate concoction to condition your body. This bodycare cocktail hydrates, firms and revitalises skin.
I love Sepai Sublime Youth. This all-purpose rescue oil is deeply nourishing and leaves skin glowing. You can use it on its own or mix it in with your regular products. I cannot recommend it enough. It has left my skin looking so much better.
sepia , beauty, reviews

Has your holiday been cancelled?

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If your plans for a holiday have fallen foul of the recent travel warnings or flight disruptions, it is a perfect opportunity to put into action all those projects you have been putting off.

You could write a book, compose a song or learn something new. So don’t despair there are plenty of enjoyable ways to occupy yourself without interacting with strangers or flying off to a different country.

Stay at home and learn

If you have always had a burning ambition to learn a different language, play the guitar, or write a book, now is your chance. With a broadband connection or a CD player, you can do all of these and more.

There is a multitude of online resources to help you fill your time in isolation, and some of them are free. With music available for lead, bass or even Ukulele, you can emulate Peggy Lee Radiohead or Oasis. All you need is patience and some equipment.

If you want to learn a language in preparation for when life returns to normal, then the world is your oyster, and it won’t cost a penny. From beginner, intermediate or conversational level, you can learn a little or a lot depending on your mood. It might not make you proficient, but it will give you an excellent start.

Duolingo is a free resource which is easy to use and good fun. OpenCulture can help you learn the most popular languages French, Spanish, Italian, and the harder ones like Mandarin and Russian. Even obscure ones like Icelandic and Gaelic.

Four exciting Riojas for winter

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rioja,Vina real

Riojas from Vina Real

The picture above shows two empty bottles of Rioja sitting on my desk. The reason why they are empty is that we drank the lot over Christmas – and very good they were too!

Rioja is one of the classic wines of Spain. Made primarily from Tempranillo grapes, it has a strong, rich flavour of berries and a slightly leathery smell. It is a wonderful robust wine, and just the thing to drink in the evening, when there is a slight chill in the air. It can be drunk by itself – preferably in front of a log fire – or it can accompany strong beef stews or slices of Jamon Iberico, Manchego cheese and rich olives. It’s a macho wine from the land of bullfighters!

I was fortunate enough to be sent four bottles of wine from Vina Real. They represent a wide range of Riojas, so I thought it would be fun to compare them.

The first one was a Vina Real Rosada. (£11.05) from Majestic. This is unconventional – a rose wine made with 15 per cent tempranillo and 85 per cent viura – a white grape grown extensively in the Rioja region. I wasn’t greatly impressed with this one. It was a brave experiment, but I thought the flavour was just a bit thin and it didn’t suit the Rioja style of wine.

The Vina Real Crianza 2011 (£11.60 Lea and Sandeman) was a much better buy. Crianza has to be aged for at least two years old. This had lovely rich flavours of plum and vanilla. We drank it with meatballs and rice and loved it!

The Vina Real Rioja Reserva 2010 is only available from independent outlets, price £18.95. A Rioja Reserva has to be at least three years old. This means that the tannins have softened, so it’s not so sharp. It is gentler on the palate. This was sumptuously fruity, nicely oaked and had a long finish.

Best of all was the Vina Real Gran Reserva (£28.85 Majestic). A Rioja Gran Reserva has to be least five years old. This one had lovely scents of candied fruit and coffee. Save this one for wine aficionados, who can really appreciate it! All in all, a great selection and worth hunting out.

Lazeez Tapas– A Taste of Lebanon in the Heart of London

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xLW.png.pagespeed.ic.FJJ_a7wgljLondon’s newest Lebanese restaurant ‘Lazeez’ is a quirky al fresco escape, full of stylish character and heart-warming services. Deriving from the Arabic language, Lazeez basically means tasty, whilst Tapas refers to Spanish tradition of sharing small wholesome dishes. Simply put ‘tatsy sharing dishes’.

 

Opened summer 2014, Lazeez aims to celebrate Lebanon’s rich culture and diverse food and drink. Made up of a strong culinary team that comprises of both authentic Lebanese chefs and mixologists, with a combined experience of over 30 years in the food beverage industry. Lazeez prides itself on using nothing but the best traditional ingredients to create meals that both replicate and challenge our western favourites.

 

Described as the perfect hangout whatever your mood, Lazeez is set over two floors and offers a modern stylish interior with warmly coloured walls, an open plan kitchen and wide floor to ceiling windows, that open up and overlook the terrace giving you an al fresco dining experience. It has a range of seating in the bar and kitchen area, plus a lounge in the basement that’s perfect for a quieter meal or to hire out for a private party. In the warmer weather, guests are encouraged to take advantage of the terrace and enjoy their meal and drinks al fresco.

 

Catering for the avid healthy eater the food menu offers a selection of meat, fish, vegetarian and vegan dishes. Guests can also sample an array of fresh brewed teas and coffees, organic juices, cocktails and Lebanese wines (available for your drinking pleasure).

 

Lebanon is one of the oldest wine providers with a history that dates back more than five millennia and Lazeez’s head mixologist George is keen to promote the renaissance of their ancient wine culture.

 

Situated in the heart of Marylebone, opposite Selfridges, Lazeez Tapas is fast becoming a local favourite with its delicious low-caloried menu, friendly staff and bespoke V shisha pipes.

The wide use of olive oil, exotic herbs and low starch foods makes Lebanese tapas a delicious alternative to high street fast food options.

 

Lazeez is open daily from 11.30am till 12midnight.

Lazeez is located 29 Duke St, London W1U 1LH

Website: www.lazeeztapas.co.uk 

Facebook: /lazeeztapas

Twitter: @lazeeztapas

 

 

 

 

Olive It! The Essential Olive Recipe Book Review

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I love this book, I really do. I love olives and will eat them in anything. Unfortunately when it comes to cooking I don’t have much of an imagination. Luckily for me this amazing book has olive recipes a plenty, along with a history of olives, the healthy facts on olives, information on the Olive It! campaign and lots of other great stuff.

My mouth was watering all the way through reading this book. The recipes are also amazing, some are also very unique. I highly recommend this book for olive obsessives like myself.

oliveitrecipebookreview

A delicious ensemble of olive marinades, tapenades, tapas feasting tips and recipes that will spark your imagination.

Designed to inspire you, this beautiful recipe book will take you on a journey of true discovery. Combining tradition with a contemporary twist, the Olive it! recipe book has a dish for everyone and every season, from innovative marinades to tantalising tapas and tapenades.

Join celebrated Spanish chefs José Pizarro and Omar Allibhoy as they share the joy of olives and family-trusted recipes that have passed down generations. Having both grown up surrounded by olive trees and immersed in the Mediterranean diet and culture, their love of olives is deep rooted and evident in these inspired olive dishes. With over 40 recipes that will spark your imagination and awaken new taste sensations, explore unique yet delicious combinations, such as green olives with figs, orange and bay to more adventurous combinations such as black olives with wasabi, ginger and smoked salmon and green olives with manchengo, chorizo and melon.

 

“Cooking with olives can be fun and exciting, and we hope this book will inspire you in the kitchen and encourage you to create these quick, easy and delicious recipes at home for your loved ones.’

“Olives on their own are great as a tasty snack but when seasoned with new and inventive combinations of ingredients they can produce a true explosion of taste.”

–  Omar Allibhoy

Campo Viejo Rioja Garnacha Wine Review

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We have been reviewing a lot of red wine recently. The standard has been high and is not let down by Campo Viejo Rioja Garnacha. The distinctive yellow label of Campo Viejo has been brightening up people’s homes for 55 years and it’s first Garnacha is featured in a retro 1960s inspired bottle.

Campo Viejo Rioja Garnacha Wine Review

This is light-bodied and easy-to-drink. The wine is ruby-red in colour with flashes of purple and aged in French oak barrels for four months. It has a fruity nose of strawberry, raspberry, cherry and blackberry. It also has subtle, sweet spices and floral notes that enhance the wine further. It is soft yet intense and fresh. This is a very special wine with a truly wonderful taste. It has a lasting fresh, fruity finish.

This is made from 100% Garnacha grape and is another delicious wine from Campo Viejo, the UK’s most popular Spanish wine.

Enjoy with: lighter food, pasta dishes.

Available from Ocado, Sainsbury’s and ASDA. RRP £8.69.

Alcohol volume: 14%
Vintage: 2012

http://campviejo.com

Rioja Gran Reserva Imperial 2005 Wine Review

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Rioja Gran Reserva Imperial 2005 is a medium-bodied and intense ruby-red wine. Imperial is one of the big names of Spain. It is a true classic in Rioja and was first produced in the twenties. Its name comes from a special bottling for the English market, in a measure called ‘Pinta Imperial’ or ‘Imperial Pint’ which is approximately half a litre. It has always been characterised by its very high and constant quality in every vintage.

It is rich with black and red berry fruit, along with liquorice notes. It is wonderfully generous in its fruitiness. Along with toasty oak and savoury balsamic. As well as plums and damsons. It has a long finish.

Rioja Gran Reserva Imperial 2005 Wine Review

It reminds me of autumn berry fruits and has tastes of coffee, caramel and cinnamon. A well structured palate adds to this brilliant wine. It is pricey, but worth it at £26.99. The price may make it one for a special occasion, just make sure the occasion happens.

Gran reserva is the top wine classification of the Rioja region. For the classification it has to have been aged for five years.

Enjoy with roast lamb, game, cheese and stew.

Iberica La Terraza | Restaurant Review

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photo (97)When Samuel Johnson made his often quoted remark about those who tire of London being tired of life he could have been talking about the restaurants in London. There is every nationality and cuisines in this great city. All of the different boroughs, offer unique and different experiences.

Iberica La Terraza has its own unique experience. A Spanish Tapas bar on a terrace in Cabot Square, in the heart of Canary Wharf. It is near a fountain and is just so beautiful. You almost feel like you are on holiday.

The menu has a great selection of food. Both hot and cold. If you are not in the mood for tapas you can have breakfast, or a salad. The menu offers something for everyone. Here is what we had. Which was a lot.

105Half & Half, a selection of cured meat and cheeses: chorizo de pueblo, cecina de leon, Spanish cheese taster,

This was an amazing selection of meat and cheese. Very generous portions. Delicious. Some of the meat was even cured with Rosemary.

Smoked Cod with Roasted Red Peppers Salad.

This salty and smoky salad tasted great. Quite different.

Aubergine, Honey and Pinenuts.

I loved this dish. The aubergine was perfectly cooked with honey and pinenuts on top. The texture and taste was just perfect.

101Meatballs with chilindron sauce.

These meatballs are ‘like grandma used to make’. Family food in Spain. The meatballs are pork and beef, with tomatoe, garlic and a hint of chilli. Great, honest food.

102Baby squid sandwich.

Delicious for those who love seafood. Also a very generous portion. The bread was great too. The squid was fried and delicious.

Topside veal with roasted vegetable puree.

This was perfectly cooked with a yummy puree.

Tapas

104Snow Crab Meat with mayonnaise and trout roe.

Baby Squid with Alioli.

photo (92)Ensaladilla with tuna, egg, green olives and Piquillo.

photo (91)Creamed cheese, sun blushed tomatoes, rocket and basil.

photo (90)

Green Asparagus, smoked salmon, quails egg and avruga.

103

 

 

 

The tapas were AMAZING. Just really good. It is hard to choose a favourite so I won’t. I loved them all. Definitely try a few.

Dessert.

Cream Catalana.

photo (96)Double cream, cinnamon, vanilla and lemon.

Great puffy dessert. A bit like foam but with more consistency. Is light and tastes amazing.

La Tarta de la abuela. Chocolate, vanilla and biscuit.

photo (98)Good chocolate tart. The crunch biscuit on top was a great touch. I, of course, also loved the chocolate. The entire mix of this dessert works well together.

 To Drink

La Terraza Cocktail

Gin, cranberries and lime.

All of the cocktails are made in house and a lot of thought is put into them.

photo (94)Agua de Valencia

Cava, vodka, gin and orange juice.

Another classic. The oranges are imported from Valencia to make the cocktail perfect. No shortcuts are taken. The original 1950s recipe was also sourced by Pedro Carvalho. You can taste the attention to detail and love that goes into the cocktails.

photo (95)Sangria Cava

This amazing drink was packed with delicious juicy fresh fruit and was very refreshing. You could really taste all the different fruit flavours (Orange, strawberry, blackberry and mint) as they marinated into the cool cava. A truly special drink. The only way I can describe is that it was like sipping the sun. I can really do with another one of these right now!

photo (99)Sangria White

Ditto. Both Sangria drinks were tasty and perfectly suited the mood. They also came in great jug glasses.

Berry Cavarinha

Blackberries, raspberries, lime sugar, chambord, cava.

La Terraza Cocktail

La Terraza Cocktail

I loved this cocktail. What a great combination.

 

 

 

 

We were impressed by Iberica La Terraza. The food was great as was the atmosphere and the cocktails. Prices range from low to high so you can go and have some cocktails and food no matter what your budget is. In fact, the only problem I have with Iberica La terraza is the smoking. There were a few people smoking around us and as a non-smoker I don’t want to breathe in other peoples smoke. Only a few people were smoking though so I do recommend that you head down to Canary Wharf for an excellent Spanish experience. If the weather is ropey then don’t worry, the restaurant has heaters, blankets and a big umbrella.

Cabot Square  London Borough of Tower Hamlets, E14 4QQ. Nearest Tube: Canary Wharf. 

020 7636 8650