As I was away on Cape Cod this weekend, writing to you, my dear Fromagical readers was somewhat tough, but fret not, I will catch up with all of the days I missed now...
This weekend's weather was fantastic allowing for plenty of outdoors time and even my first visit to the beach this summer. Granted, I was bundled in a heavy wool blanket and quite freezing but for those of us who do not get cold in 80 degree weather, you would have found it quite lovely and brisk! While sitting on the beach this past Saturday, I got to thinking of previous experiences sitting on beaches when it was significantly colder than I expected...beautiful weather conditions, just not beachy temperatures...I fondly thought back to sitting on the beach in southern Spain five or so years ago...
So for my catch-up post number one today, I thought I would propose the perfect Spanish beach picnic for the next time you're at the beach and want a yummy snack.
What are the ingredients in your picnic basket you may ask? Well, folks here you go:
One bag of Tortas de Aceite (typically found at Spanish speciality stores or at cheese shops) - These walk a fine line between cracker, pita, and bread, however they are none of the above. These inherently Spanish crisps are kneaded with flour, sesame, salt, yeast, and the most important ingredient of all - virgin olive oil! They are fantastically delish, crunchy, and satisfying. Easier than a big box of crackers or a loaf of bread for a beach picnic.
One bag of Marcona Almonds - Native only to Spain, these are super delish, salty, crispy, nutty, oily, and highly addictive. They are large and flat almonds with a much richer and more intense flavor than their ordinary almond cousins. The saltiness of the almonds is really good for you if you are sitting at the beach sweating...
A nice jar of Olives - Spanish olives are delish, salty, briney, and yummy...I like to get the green olives stuffed with garlic for that nice savory jolt to your picnic.
A slice of Fig Almond cake - Also found at most supermarkets or cheese shops, this is basically figs and almonds and is great sweet and savory accompaniment to the cheeses.
A jar of Membrillo - The quintessential Spanish accompaniment to cheese, this quince preserve is to die for, dark in color and rich in taste, you can't go wrong bringing a jar of this.
And now on to the cheeses, I think best to bring between two and three different cheeses. When thinking of cheeses to take to the beach or for a picnic in the summer, I tend to try and stray away from really young cheeses or curmbly blues, too much of a mess. I like to go the hard and firm route, easy to cut and they can last for a much longer period outside of the fridge.
So here are my picks:
Ibores - A Spanish goat cheese whose rind is rubbed in paprika and olive oil. An aged firm cheese, it sure will hold up in the heat and won't become too much of a mess as certain fresh and softer cheeses might. Spicy yet tangy, fresh yet buttery, grassy yet somewhat oily. Delicate, flavorful, and very light, this is a cheese that is extremely versatile. I would pair it will a few olives on one your tortas..
Mahon - This cheese hailds from the Spanish island of Menorca and is one of very few cow based cheeses produced in Spain. Yellow in color, this aged cow's milk cheese is piquant and biting while at the same time full of lemony citrus hues, definitely a puckery cheese with a nice creamy cow's milk finish. It has the texture of cheddar but with a completely different and inherently Spanish flavor profile. I would pair this probably with a nice bit of the fig almond cake.
Zamorano (or should you feel the desire, 12 month aged Manchego) - Hailing from the Spanish region of Castille-Leon, having been made for centuries, this cheese takes Manchego and makes it nuttier, richer, more crumbly, barnyardy and gamey. A hard, aged sheep's milk cheese it has a deceptively melt-in-your mouth quality to it! A full bodied cheese perfect with some membrillo!
So that folks is what I would take on a Spanish themed picnic, should you want to take other quintessentially Spanish foods, please do! The best place for Spanish goods if you ask me is Despana at 408 Broome Street in Soho.
Enjoy!
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