spicy lamb livers & kidneys

It started like it almost always does … at the supermarket. And going  “oh, look – lamb livers! Gee, I’ve never made lamb livers before.” And then discovering that a fab sounding lamb liver recipe recommended by a friend also included lamb kidneys … which meant a trip over to special local butcher, and then buying some kidneys for three times the price of the livers (wtf?), but okay. I had the ingredients. More or less.

It also ended up like it almost always does … with me taking one or three recipes and doing a mix & match thing. And so this one comes from WeeRascal’s recommendation combined with a couple of Janet Mendel’s recipes for lamb liver… and you know, it was sooooooooo good.

Photo of finished product, recipe and instructions below the links…

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tapas – a bite of spain

Shortly after moving to Seville (in 1993) I was given a copy of Janet Mendel’s Cooking In Spain as a birthday present. And it turned out to be one of the best presents I have ever received (other than my iPhone) because I have used it so much over the years and have also recommended it to others more times than I can remember.

Then last month a Twitter friend got in touch with me to ask for a bit of help with a project she was working on, and I was happy to do so. As a thank you gift Michelle sent me this latest book by Janet Mendel, for which she had done the photography. And all I can say is … wow! It’s not only a fabulous cookbook but also a visual treat. Check it out if you are interested in Spanish cooking.

Tapas: A Bite of Spain

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solomillo al whisky

The first place I ever had solomillo al whisky (pork tenderloin in whisky sauce) was at the Cervecería Giralda, which turned out to be one of the best in the city. I didn’t realise until today how easy it is to make! I also didn’t realise that, despite the name, it is almost always made with brandy or cognac. Go figure. Served here with some left-over boiled potatoes that I fried until crispy, and a bit of  steamed broccoli.

Ingredients and instructions below…

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carrillada de tenera (aka beef cheeks)

[click to enlarge]

Awhile ago I made my first ever pig’s cheeks and they turned out to be a resounding success that I have made several times since. Then I saw some beef cheeks at the supermarket the other day and, given some of the negative reports of them here, I wondered if I could make some delicious ones. And I totally did! Thanks to Carlos Riva for the recipe suggestions. I kind of put them all together and came up with this one. And quite tender and succulent darlings they turned out to be – even better eaten the day after…

Recipe below the links…

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angus beef & coriander casserole

Guest contributor, fellow foodie & friend WeeRascal, shares his
recipe (and pics!) for Angus beef & coriander casserole…

This is an adaptation of an Elizabeth David recipe I recently stumbled upon. It is quite simple and is quick to prepare, but it is essential that the beef is of the highest quality.

Ingredients & instructions below the links.

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pollo al ajillo

pollo al ajillo = chicken with garlic

This is a very typical Spanish dish that you can find in many tapas bars, traditionally made with stewing chicken pieces, garlic, olive oil and dry fino sherry. My version is a bit spicier and uses boneless chicken breasts.  I’ve also added some portobello mushrooms & baby setas.

[click on collage to enlarge]

Recipe and instructions below…

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chorizo & gambas risotto

Since making my first ever risotto a couple of months ago they have become a staple dish here at casa az. Until now I’ve been sticking with mushroom & veg versions … that is, until my pal WeeRascal boasted of having a chorizo & lobster risotto a while ago. And well, I just had to try it out for myself, though I substituted giant prawns (gambon gordo) for lobster. I made it pretty much following the same recipe as the mushroom risotto, but I added the heads and shells of the gambas to the chicken broth – and wow! – the broth turned out gorgeous. In fact, I think this is one of the most delicious meals I have ever made. I was a bit unsure about adding too many ingredients, so I tried it first without and then with the broccoli. They were both great, and I liked having some green stuff in there, making it a more complete “one dish” meal.

Revised recipe and instructions below the links:
(as well as “close up” shots of both versions)

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sprouts with bacon & pinenuts

This is the ultimate in sprouts recipes, that I discovered last year on Wandering Coyote’s Retorte blog. A few small changes have been made here. Fast and easy to prepare, it should convert even die-hard sprout haters. In part, I think, because cooking them sliced like this eliminates some of the strong sprouty flavour that some people don’t like. And then there’s the bacon…

Recipe and instructions below the links…

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spinach & feta rollups

Flour tortilla rollups are a favourite around casa az, and I make several variations. These spinach ones have toasted pinenuts and feta cheese and are spiced up with chili flakes. I also make them with a grated mild white cheese, like havarti. Or a mix of both white & feta cheeses. Fast and easy to make, satisfying and low carb.

Ingredients and instructions are below the links.
Also some pics of rollup variations

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