Followers

Thursday 23 January 2020

No such thing as a free lunch, or is there?

There really is such a thing as a free lunch or free tasty snacks anyway. The provinces of Almeria and Granada in Andalucia Spain still follow the tradition of each time you buy a drink you get a free tapas. This is not only with the first drink but with every single one.

On a recent mini road trip totalling just five days to the cities of Almeria and Granada and town of Nijar we experienced this brilliant hospitality at every stop.

From iberico ham served over crunchy patatas frites, melted cheese on crispy toasted bread to slow cooked pork in a curry sauce served in tiny bowls with couscous the variety was exceptional. Then in Granada we were offered generous portions of bread olives and meat which appeared just on ordering two glasses of vino blanco.

Bread, olives and cold meats

We also experienced a some delicious full meals. Fresh sardines and vibrant crunchy salad eaten by the sea in the sunshine in San Jose Almeria.

Sardinas Asadas







Ensalada Mixta

Two days later it was mussels in sauce in a cosy taberna in Granada where temperatures outside were closer to zero with snow in the Sierra Nevada mountains closing roads and causing us to alter our route back to the coast.

Mejillones

At breakfast or more usually brunch we made the most of the delicious bread with crushed tomatoes topped with ham and cheese. This impressive "breakfast boat" took first prize

Jambon Iberico & Queso

Then at our final stop Nijar a typical small town in the foothills  (incredibly well located for Almeria airport) and famous for its contemporary pottery we ate a dish translated as "Neighbours Potatoes" I think this is a bit like a set menu we once had in France supposedly "What the chef has found in the market today" but really whatever there was a glut of in the restaurant. However the potato dish was delicious. It included roast potatoes, chips, various sausages, mushrooms, liver and the famous padron peppers topped with fried egg. Perfect for a rainy day in Nigar.

Papas Vecinas