A lifetime of encounters with Spain.
Posted in Amigos, Fairs, Feasts and Fiestas, Reflections on Spain on Aug 9th, 2010
Ferias and celebrations are part of every day life in Spain all year long. Their roots are in the religious and agricultural cycles of traditional life, although, with some notable exceptions, modern Spaniards largely focus on fiestas as joyful events for the extended family to mingle with the rest of the community. Earlier this year [...]
Posted in Amigos, Reflections on Spain on Mar 15th, 2010
I have been writing reflections about Spain and her culture over the past several years. The prevailing theme has been that the bedrock of the traditional Spanish culture is the importance they place on being together as a family, including the extraordinary way they cherish their children. A few years ago, this was the normal [...]
Posted in Fairs, Feasts and Fiestas, Reflections on Spain, Tesoros on Dec 22nd, 2009
This Christmas I am going to try to recreate Nochebuena Roast Pork a la Valdespino in Williamsburg! (Perhaps it is a fool’s errand, but why not?) To begin with we have encountered two realities. First, unlike Miguel, we do not have his unique marinade, which he nurses over the years in a small oak cask.
Here is a fascinating project for someone who loves to cook. Nochebuena is Christmas Eve, and for the occasion my dear friend Miguel, forwarded to me his traditional recipe for the Roast Pork he serves his extended family each year.
The intriguing feature is that it requires injecting the leg with up to a liter of bandy and Oloroso or Pedro Ximenez, letting it marinate for a couple of days.
Posted in Fairs, Feasts and Fiestas, Reflections on Spain on Jul 14th, 2009
You might think that with the many Nadal men who have great athletic ability, that this would be a family of “jocks”. But the family is more balanced than that. One of Rafa’s grandfathers is a retired orchestra conductor. Rafa’s father Sebastian is involved with real estate and a small business in town. Rafa relaxes by fishing with high school friends, and has continued to date the same hometown girl since he was 19.
Early in his career Rafa
Posted in Amigos, Fairs, Feasts and Fiestas, Reflections on Spain on Dec 14th, 2008
One of the most appealing aspects of the Spanish people is the prevailing attitude of mutual support, of sharing in a common life. It provides integrity to their way of life, for their communal approach to life is what keeps them centered. Traditional Spaniards view their extended family – all the uncles and aunts and [...]
Posted in Corners of Spain, Reflections on Spain on Nov 15th, 2006
“These precious experiences I had as a child,” Angel said with typical Spanish fervor, “– I mean the aromas and flavors which enveloped our family gatherings – They are forever imprinted on my soul.” As he grew up during the next few years, Angel dreamed that somehow he would recapture these the happiest days of his life. He knew one thing, it would have to be linked to the hearth.
