Mizmoe

Ingredients:

2 lbs fruits: red & black currants, blackberries, raspberries and strawberries (washed)
½ pint water
5 oz golden caster sugar
10 large slices of thinly sliced white bread crusts removed (2 days old or so)

5 timbales

Method:

Start by lining the timbales with cling film - ensure there is sufficient to wrap over the tops when finished.

Check all the fruit and remove any that are blemished. Hull the strawberries and remove any stalks.

Place the sugar and water into a large saucepan and bring to the boil, add the blackberries, red and black currants first, bring to the boil and simmer gently for 4 minutes, add the remainder of the berries and simmer for another 2 to 3 minutes depending on taste.

The red and black currants should start to burst. Taste the fruit for sweetness and - if required to be sweeter, stir in a little more sugar.

Place a colander over a large bowl and pour the fruit into the large colander, saving the juice. Allow the fruit to cool in a refrigerator.

Save half the juice to dip the bread into and return the remainder to the saucepan. Reduce slightly until the mixture is syrupy. Set aside.

When the fruit is cool, remove from the refrigerator and assemble the puddings.

Cut half the bread into triangles - corner to corner, then using pastry cutters, cut two discs from each slice - 1 small for the base, 1 large for the top of the pudding.

Dip the smaller circles for the base into the syrup and put into the timbales. Then do the same with the triangles for the sides.

Share the fruit mixture between the timbales and then dip the larger circles of bread into the sauce and place on top of the pudding. Wrap the cling film over the timbales to cover the pudding. Place onto a tray and when all the puddings are done put another tray on the top with a weight of some kind to press the puddings.

Refrigerate at least a couple of hours and serve with the reduced sauce, fresh berries and Cornish Clotted Cream (if liked). Dust with icing sugar.

As we live in an area where lemons grow in abundance, I thought this recipe may be nice.

Zest and juice of 3 large lemons
Juice of 3 more large Lemons
1 lb caster sugar
2 pints of boiling water

Grate the zest of 3 large lemons and add the juice of all 6 lemons - no pips - into a bowl. Add the caster sugar and boiling water and stir until completely dissolved.

Strain the lemonade through a fine sieve lined with muslin, cover and put to one side to cool.

Transfer to bottles and refrigerate, serve with ice and cold water to taste. Keep refrigerated.

If you like your lemonade a little sour, or tart, use less sugar.

Limes can be substituted, but you may have to use more fruit!.

Since posting this recipe I have tried many times different recipes for Limeade, including one from a chef who has a copyright notice on his site. I assume it is there for people to try but not put claim to.

This is my own, ideas in general taken from many recipes and amended to suit my taste.

1 cup golden caster sugar
Juice from 12 large (freshly squeezed) limes
6 cups of cold water

Get a very large jug or bowl! It must hold around 4 pints

Add the sugar, citrus juice and water to the bowl in that order, stir well to combine (that is until the sugar has dissolved)

Refrigerate until very very cold

I may try it with homemade sugar syrup, but will need to determine quantities!

When ready to enjoy, add lots of ice cubes to tall glasses, pour in the limeade and trim the glass with a spiral of lime zest (posh name for taking some thin strips of lime zest using a zester). I am sure there is a Cheffy name for this thing, but can´t remember it, so gave it one of my own, less pretentious? I think so!

It looks very pretty if you damped the outside edge of the glass, dip in sugar then proceed as above. Put the zest on the rim of the glass.

To open a bank account in Spain, an applicant must be at least 18 years of age, able to provide an address in Spain, proof of identity and a current passport or NIE number. Both non-residents and residents can open a bank account in Spain and to do this, you will need an application form from the bank.

Residents - to open a current account you will need to provide residence permit (residencia) or evidence of employment in Spain.

Cheque Accounts

All Spanish bank account numbers have 20 digits.

The most common account in Spain is a cheque or current account and is provided by all Spanish banks.

It should be noted that many retailers do not accept personal cheques which cannot be guaranteed in Spain although banks can issue certified cheques books. Many Spaniards prefer to pay by plastic or cash.

Writing Cheques - your account details such as bank, branch and account number are printed on the top right hand side of cheques and bank statements and this information is required when payments are to be made directly from the current account, ie direct debit payments.

Complete cheques as follows:
- Name of payee should be written in the top left corner.
- The amount in figures must be written in the top right hand corner - it is advisable to either put a line to fill in the space or add an (#) hash sign before and after the amount ie: #1.111,11#) to ensure the amount cannot be changed.
- The amount should also be written in words on the line below the payee’s name (as in the UK) ie: Dos mil euros con once centimes
- To date the cheque, it must be written in words directly under the amount written in words and after the town where the branch is situated.
- You must add your signature in the bottom right corner below the date
- It is advisable to write the date and amount of any cheque issued in Spanish however, some Spanish banks will accept other languages - check with your bank for their rules on this issue.

As in the UK, it is not advisable to make any cheque out â to bearer, however, If you do so you must add al portador. Any a cheque made payable to the bearer is regarded as currency and may change hands a number of times whilst valid.

If you pay a cheque into your own account, you, as the account holder must sign the reverse of the cheque.

When making a cheque out to a named person, write the following: Paguese [person's name] por este cheque”. To ensure that a cheque can be paid only into the account of the payee and you must also add Y Cia between the diagonal lines on the front or add a abonar en cuenta before the name of the payee.

Note: A bank is not required to reimburse an account holder for a falsified cheque if they have been negligent writing it.

Validity

Spanish cheques are valid indefinitely. It should be noted that it is illegal to overdraw a Spanish bank account without obtaining agreement with your branch. If a chequebook is lost or stolen, the bank must be notified by telephone immediately and the loss must be confirmed in writing. Any cheques written after the bank has been informed cease to be the account-holder’s responsibility.

If you issue a cheque without sufficient funds being available, you as the account holder are obliged to pay a penalty - it is advisable to check your bank’s rules but this penalty is usually 10 percent of the unpaid amount of the cheque (ie: if the shortfall is three hundred euros, the shortfall plus a penalty of 10% - ie thirty euros will have to be paid). Again, it is advisable to check with your bank on this issue.

As in the UK, take care when writing cheques and keep your bank details, card and cheque book in a safe place.

Direct Debits

To make arrangements for a new direct debit (domiciliación bancaria) simply complete a form at the branch and supply a copy of the bill. This is the best way to pay all your regular bills in Spain.

Correspondence

Correspondence from a bank will be in Spanish, however, a letter my daughter received from Caja Rural gave a translation at the right hand side of the letter with the Spanish version at the left hand side of the letter.

Translation of some words are shown below:

Fecha - date
Debe - debit
Haber - credit
Saldo - balance
Concepto - description
Estados/comunicaciones de movimientos - Account Statements

Cash Cards and Debit Cards

Spanish banks offer customers a combined cash and debit card (tarjeta de débito), and these are widely used (and accepted) throughout the whole of Spain.

The amount of any purchases or cash withdrawals will automatically be debited to your account. Although monthly statements are not sent out to customers, a balance or mini statement can be requested from an ATM/cash machine. It should be noted that it is not possible to overdraw using a cash card or debit card.

As in the UK, a lost or stolen card must reported to the bank as soon is as possible, your branch will normally supply you with the appropriate telephone number.

Example of banking hours

Bank opening hours change according to the season, however, many rural banks (sometimes) have much shorter opening hours.

Winter Season

Monday - Friday 8:30 - 16:00
Saturday 10:00 - 14:00

Summer Season

Monday - Friday 9:00 - 14:00

The Padron Municipal de Habitants or city roll is an official record of all the people who live in a community and the way to officially verify your stay in Spain. You must by law register in the community where you live.

The Padron provides many benefits if you intend to live in Spain for an extended period of time and is also the key to becoming a member of your local community.

Benefits:

You are considered to be an official resident in your community and can if you wish vote in the local elections.

It is an important first step to assist your integration into Spanish life.

Your stay in Spain is officially recorded ie verified and accredited and is an absolute necessity to enable you to do the following things in your local community:

- Enrol children with a local school
- Enable you to register with a doctor and apply for a (el carnet Para la assistance sanitaria) ie local health card
- Vote

How does registering benefit the community?

The town receives finance from the government to provide services to its residents and this based on the number of inhabitants, meaning that if you are registered, the city receives money to provide services on your behalf. It is therefore in both your interest - and theirs - to have an accurate count of who is living in the community (and using the services) and to this end, it is extremely important that you register. It is also a confidential service.

How (and where) do you obtain an empadronado?

Obtaining the empadronado is merely a question of filling out the appropriate form and providing the required documents.

Once we filled in the forms and provided our original identification documents and those relating to the property plus a photocopy of each, it took a relatively short period of time to go through the process. We had to return a few days later to pick up the padron.

We applied for our empadronamiento in person and did not have the option to apply either by telephone or over the Internet. There also wasn’t the option of having the document mailed to us, but we understand that this can be done in some areas.

To find out where you need to go to apply, phone your town hall or visit their website. The local phone directory may also give this information in the section called Gestiones under Empadronamiento - we only obtained the official certificado de empadronamiento for which we had to pay three euros.

As requirements for identification documentation vary from it is wise to check with the local town hall, however, the most commonly requested documents are:

- The application form
- Identification documentation for yourself, partner and children if your application is for the whole family and not as individuals
- Passport or national identity card, residency card and/or NIE (we tried to get a new padronal in Alicante and were told the rules had changed, you MUST now have an NIE number in order to obtain the padronal)
- If you rent a property your contract. Although we were renting a house and had a contract signed by the landlord, he had to accompany us to the council offices
- If you own a house, a copy of the title deeds escritura
- For those renting a room or apartment - your landlord or whoever is already empadronado will need to vouch that you are living at the address. It is apparently best for them to accompany you

In our case we went to the offices with an interpreter and our documents. The official told us we needed to have our landlord present with his ID and his title document. We returned the following day, the local official completed the form on her computer, printed them off, attached them to copies of our contract and ID, they were signed and we were told to return the following day. It was two months before we actually received our certificado, but I am given to understand that this is unusual. We also indicated at this time that we wished to vote in the local elections and she indicated what we needed to do to register which was a simple process

Going shopping on market day is heaven on earth - beautiful oranges (some so fresh the leaves left on them are still green), one euro per kilo, same goes for all the fruit and veg, it is so cheap and so good. The stalls are set out in the main square and the roads leading off and it seems to be a social occasion.

Bread - which would cost a fortune and be on the specialist bread counter in the UK is inexpensive and good!

There are deliveries of bread daily, fruit, vegetables, frozen food, fish and sometimes household items, even mattresses. Even the gas bottles are delivered to your door weekly. The supermarkets are small, but their range is beyond belief. The Pharmacy is brilliant - ours speaks English and as my knowledge of medication is limited, his advice is welcomed.

There are some things that are difficult - mainly the water going off for sometimes a day (sometimes more), the electricity cutting out if you put too many things on which was difficult in winter as our heating is electric. But these problems are minor and easily overcome.

A tasty potato dish sometimes served as a “Tapas”, this to me is heaven on earth as a “comfort food with a difference”. Try it and see.

Ingredients:

2 large potatoes
2 medium tomatoes
Olive Oil
Paprika (to taste)
Chopped chilli pepper (to taste)
Sea Salt (to taste)

Method:

Wash and peel the potatoes and cut into small cubes

Put into boiling salted water for about 10 minutes or until they begin to soften. Drain, put to one side in a colander to allow the potatoes to dry off.

To prepare the sauce:

Chop the tomatoes and blend until they resemble a thick soup, then place in a frying pan and cook until they have reduced and thickened - approximately 15 minutes. You can, if you wish, skin and deseed the tomatoes to shorten the cooking process.

Add the paprika, salt and chilli to taste and cook for a further 5 minutes. Keep warm on the hob over a very gentle heat stirring occasionally.

Meanwhile, fry the potatoes in a separate frying pan until golden brown and crisp, transfer to a serving dish and spoon over the sauce.

This particular recipe does not have Garlic and I am unsure whether it is traditional or not?

It is now over three years since I was diagnosed with breast cancer - January 2004, and up to now I am okay. It took a long time to recover from the Chemotherapy and Radiotherapy. My health deteriorated over the next two years, no longer able to work I became depressed until one morning I said “it’s time to make the move to Spain before it’s too late”, three months later we arrived. It was hard leaving my family, but the right move for me. Since coming to Spain I have lost nearly 2 stones in weight (in 3 months) through a much healthier diet, plenty of fruit and veg - too expensive to eat like this in the UK on a basic income!

I’m fitter, can exercise and do all the daily chores that I could not do previously because of mobility and other health problems. September last year I was put on permanent incapacity benefit but I have now retired having reached 60! My health has improved and I live a relatively normal life. I still have a way to go but am getting there slowly. For me, life is good here in Spain!

Last Friday, Saturday and today Sunday saw the “Barrio” change from peaceful into a hive of activity and revelling, a 3 day Fiesta. There have been parties with live music each night, lasting well into morning - this morning the music was still going and the dancing and partying continuing at 4.30 am. You get used to the noise and finally manage to sleep through it. The atmosphere is electric!

A childrens party took place yesterday afternoon with bouncy castles, flamenco dancing and music. They had a great time. Then at around 10 pm the party was underway for the adults, they also had a party on Friday night, with food cooked in the open air in the streets and square. There was a horse parade yesterday, a parade of the children in traditional dress on Friday and today there is another parade where they carried a statue through the streets. At 10 am Sunday the church bells started to ring and they were letting fireworks off at the Church, I assume it was to get everyone out of bed as the locals began to appear on the streets - many looking the worse for wear. It was Churros and Chocolate in the square! Can’t resist them, they are so moorish.

Our Jack Russell has settled well in Spain, loves the neighbours, well actually he just loves the smell of their cooking. He sits outside with his nose in the air sniffing. They find him amusing, particularly when he growls at them and the men seem to think he is brave - just don’t know him. They were also amused when my daughter shouted to him and he jumped up, ran up her front and sat on her shoulder - it must be a Jack Russell thing! She taught him to do it when larger dogs came near him whilst out walking in Scotland - cos he’s a “wuss”. Some of the Spanish dogs want to be friendly and play with him, but he’s not having any of that!

This week we had the worst electrical storm I’ve ever experienced with hail, lightening and thunder - it lasted well into the night. The thunder was one continuous roll and the lightening went on for hours lighting up the whole sky, the mountains looked spectactular. The village is surrounded by mountains and the weather can change in seconds, the clouds just materialise out of no where. Though on first sight I disliked the landscape, I find that I like it a little more, though for me the sea with mountains in the background would be my idea of heaven!

Ingredients

1 tbsp olive oil
1 kg pack chicken thighs
2 tbsp seasoned flour
1 onion, finely chopped
1 garlic clove, finely chopped
125 grams chorizo sausage, cut into 1 cm slices, each slice cut in half
300 ml chicken stock
400 grams can chopped tomatoes or tomato frito
220 gram can butter beans, drained
15 grams fresh parsley, chopped

Method:

Heat the oil in a casserole dish. Dust chicken with the flour, shaking off the excess. Fry the chicken, skin side down, for 4 to 5 minutes, then turn over and cook for a further 4 to 5 minutes. Remove chicken and set aside. Sweat the onion and garlic for 3 to 4 minutes, then add the chorizo and cook for 1 minute. Gradually stir in the stock and chopped tomatoes and return the chicken to the pan, spooning the liquid over it. Bring to the boil and season. Reduce to a simmer, cover and cook for 15 to 20 minutes. Add the butter beans and warm through for 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in the parsley and serve. Accompany with a tossed green salad.

Ingredients:

8 ounces caster sugar
8 ounces ground almonds
2 egg yolks
1 egg white

Required - baking tray covered with foil, weights, aluminium foil, wooden board

Directions:

Thoroughly mix the sugar and almonds in a bowl. Fold in the egg yolks, one after the other. Whisk the egg white into a stiff foam and fold it into the mixture.

Lay a sheet of foil over the baking sheet and place the mixture on it. Press the mixture into a slab about 1/2 inch thick using a rolling pin and your fingers. Cover it with foil and place a wooden board weighted down with weights or a two full tin cans on top of the board.

Leave the Nougat to dry out and harden for about three full days, then slice into bite size pieces.