Saturday, August 27, 2011

GAZPACHO


A fresh and cold recipe for the summer. But not only for the summer. A delicacy from Spain. Tomatoes and vegetables for a delicious sort of cold soup. Let’s cook.

Ingredients:

4 tomatoes
1 green pepper
1 onion
1 clove of garlic (optional)
Some pickle or cucumbers to taste
A small loaf of bread
Some extra virgin olive oil
Some vinegar
Some salt to taste
Some cold water

It is very easy to make. It is important that the ingredients are really fresh. Except the bread. You can use bread made the day before. In fact, it is better like that.
First we will prepare the vegetables. To do this, cut them a bit so that the blender can work better. If you want, and if you have time, you can keep all the cut vegetables in the fridge for one night. That would be good. Add part of the oil and the vinegar and let it rest in the fridge. The next day, put them in the blender. And then blend. Little by little. Add more oil and vinegar to make the gazpacho to your taste. The secret is adding the exact amount of water to your taste. And some salt, of course. When you find your Gazpacho perfect for you, store it in the fridge.
It is a good idea to reserve some of the vegetables without blending them. When you serve your Gazpacho, add some of those vegetables. The moment you serve it, add some extra virgin olive oil.
And then, just enjoy!

Sunday, August 7, 2011

DRIED ANCHOVIES


A Korean recipe for today. Anchovies. It can be a perfect and different appetizer. You must use dried anchovies that can be found in Asian stores. They are very small but really good. Let’s go to the kitchen.

Ingredients:

1 teaspoon chopped garlic
1 dried chili
Some dried anchovies
Some vegetable oil (I will use extra virgin olive oil)
Some brown sugar
Some water
Some paprika or Spanish pimentón
Some sesame seeds
Some drops of sesame oil

My adaptation of this Korean recipe. I love it.
First we will prepare the garlic and the dried chili. Then we will heat the anchovies in a pan or wok for a couple of minutes. Do not use too much oil. Reserve them.
In the same pan or wok, heat the garlic and the dried chili. Add some brown sugar, a little of water and a bit of paprika. Cook for a minute and then add the anchovies. One more minute and then add some sesame seeds and some drops of sesame oil. Stir well and serve. Enjoy!