Valencian Vacation Exquisite Cuisine…

Edible Highlights of my Recent Trip to Oliva, Spain

As a rather grey gloom descends over my part of Hampshire recalling my recent trip to Spain brings back wonderful feelings but also a little sadness that it is over! The food was fabulous and we met so many wonderful restauranteurs and waiters. The people of Oliva are serenely calm folk and their way of life is incredibly enviable. It was so cheap too.

I could not believe it. A beer and a tapa of jamon and bread with olive oil for example was a crazy 1 euro 50….

 This jamon was actually from Aragon – I bought 100gm straight afterwards for just 3 euros…mmmmm….!!!

The fish was delectable and we ate a lot. Anyway, here is a montage of shots of food and life where we stayed.

 First day shopping at the local supermarket -Mercadona – I could live in this shop!! –  5 -yes, 5 ladies on the fish counter alone! Our local supermarket here struggles to provide one! And this is about 4 times the size of my local fish counter – and we are an island!!

And so much choice it took my breath away…

 

 Locally caught caracolas…

 

and squid a plenty…

 

  And this was the indoor market – air conditioned and packed with amazing meat, fish and veg stalls as well as 2 great tapas bars.

Click on the next picture to get the full panorama of this haven….

 A medley of fish for supper one evening including beautiful boquerones…

And then a little more! …swordfish with pan fried octopus…stunning…

  Sardines….

and succulent chipirones  

 Squid a la plancha….

A real favourite of mine was the exquisite empanadas in the tapas bars…one here is filled with morcilla and the other with spinach and tomato. 

  I came across this too – never had it before – a mix of chorizo and morcilla – rich and succulent and a perfect accompaniment to a cold beer!

  My kids loved me making patatas braves for lunch by the pool…with a variety of meats cooked a la plancha….

.…and we all adore the pimentos padrón.

Refreshing desserts too….

All washed down with a variety of beverages from ice cold rosé…to cava…to one of my favourite beers…Estrella from Barcelona…as well as mojitos, martinis and dessert wines!

And as well as all the fabulous array of food…I will miss my pool!

And I bet you are thinking ..why has he not mentioned anything about the classic

Valencian paella??

Well, I had an amazing one at a truly wonderful restaurant called Ca Fran…but that meal and restaurant deserves a post of its own…so hang fire…it is on its way!

Hasta pronto!