Etiqueta: spanish gastronomy

  • INTERNATIONAL TASTING: WINE, SPIRITS AND BEER 2018

    On Tuesday 25th September 2018 we were delighted to take part in the annual International Wine, Spirits and Beer Tasting event. This event was hosted by a total of 16 London-based foreign Chambers of Commerce representing countries from around the world, with the aim of broadening attendees’ networks by exposing them to a greatly international audience.

    Over 400 guests gathered at the impressive Stamford Bridge, the home ground for Chelsea Football Club in south west London, which provided an impressive and memorable setting with elevated views of the whole pitch and fantastic, open views of the evening sky.

    On this occasion, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium & Luxembourg, Canada, Colombia, The Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Finland, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Portugal, Russia, Spain and Switzerland were the participating countries, each with their own attractively decorated stand showcasing some of their finest wines, beers and spirits.

    The International Wine, Spirits and Beer Tasting would not be possible without the invaluable collaboration of the sponsors. On this occasion, our member  Raventós Codorníu was the sponsor of the Spanish Chamber of Commerce with two of their representatives operating the Spanish stand. They provided a generous selection of four different wines including two cavas, with vintages varying from 2011 – 2015 and grape varietals including 100% Pinot Noir, 70% Viura, 70% Chardonnay and 100% Tempranillo.

    Raventós Codorníu is the business group which created cava and pride themselves in being the oldest family business in Spain and one of the oldest of the world dating back over 500 years. More than 150 of their international wines and cavas have received awards in the last 5 years and they are commonly known for their commitment to the earth and society by promoting the development of regional products and generating value in local communities through winery tours. Their commitment is to delight customers and they certainly delighted all those who sampled their wines at this unforgettable event.
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    With such an international range of beverages and backgrounds, the event did not fail to impress. Guests had a unique opportunity to broaden their international business networks with peers from other Chambers of Commerce. They were additionally able to exchange opinions about the excellent selection of drinks, from Japanese sake to Mexican tequila and Finnish gin, and make recommendations to each other in a relaxed environment, resulting in a positive and lively atmosphere.

    We would like to thank our member Raventós Cordoníu for their kind support by providing a generous selection of their delicious wines. Likewise, we would like to thank all the attendees who joined us and, especially, to our colleagues at the Foreign Chambers of Commerce and trade institutions for their work and collaboration for bringing this event to life and for making it such a success yet again.

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    We look forward to seeing you at next year’s International Wine, Beer and Spirits Tasting. If you were unable to attend on this occasion or would like to reminisce about it, please click here to access the complete gallery of pictures for this event.

    To find out what we have planned for the next few months, take a look at our Upcoming Events section on our website or subscribe to our electronic newsletter for fortnightly updates.

  • ARBINA WILL HOST A SPECIAL EVENT TO PROMOTE CASTILLA Y LEÓN REGION

    • The gastronomic event will take place on the 23rd, 24th and 25th November
    • Head Chef Enrique García has designed an original “Deconstructed Cocido” with a delicious dessert, all made with Castilla y León produce for only £30.
    • There will also be a chance to get a superb hamper full of delicacies from Castilla y León with a worth value of £300.
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    Adaptation of the Junta Castilla y León Tourism campaign in conjunction with Castilla y León es vida, Tierra de sabor and Arbina Restaurant, that have teamed up to promote the Spanish produce from this specific region in United Kingdom – www.turismocastillayleon.com/en/destinations

    Arbina restaurant will host three days (23rd, 24th and 25th November) dedicated to Castilla y León, when Gastronomy, Culture and History will blend in one. Javier López Arbina, born and raised in Valladolid, is the perfect ambassador of Castilla y León to do so. He knows well all the produce this land has to offer with over 60 products guaranteed by any quality designation, its traditions and places to visit within this historic region.

    Castilla y León has indeed a rich gastronomic heritage, favoured by its extensive and varied recipe book, but also by the quality and diversity of its provisions. This is why Head Chef Enrique García though about making a deconstructed version of his most recognisable dish: Cocido, all made with Castilla y León produce. It will be offered during these three days to bring to your table the real taste of each ingredient from this fairy-tale like land also called «Tierra de castillos» (The Land of Castles).

    Enrique García, Arbina´s Head Chef, will also explain what has inspired him to create this delicious set menu based in The land of Castles as Castilla y Léon is known. The specific products that give the flavour to the dish and why these are essential, such Morcilla de Burgos or Chorizo del Bierzo.

    A special Castilla y León set menu made for a king!

     CASTILLA Y LEÓN SET MENU for only £30

    Starters
    “Pedrosillo” chickpeas cream with sauté swede, carrot and turnip
    Burgos Morcilla (Black pudding) with “Valdeón” cheese (Blue cheese)
    Spicy chorizo with roast “Bierzo” and roasted red peppers

    Chicken with red cabbage and “Tierra de Pinares” pine nuts
    Main

    “Morucha” beef cheeks with dark chocolate (Trapa) sauce with “panaderas” potatoes
    Dessert
    Churros & chocolate

    Price per person £30.00 (20%VAT and service included)

    LET´S PUT CASTILLA Y LEÓN ON YOUR PLATE AND ON THE MAP!

    Arbina promotes Castilla y León Gastronomy but also invites to get to know this beautiful region better. This Land of Castles well deserves a visit, there will be informative flyers from Junta Castilla y León and Castilla y León es vida, governing and administrative body of the Spanish autonomous community of Castile and León and its Tourism board.

    Arbina will also hand out its own flyer in the shape of a postcard to offer the chance to get a magnificent hamper filled with delicacies from Castilla y León if you happen to know all the provinces which are part of Castilla y León.

    A superb hamper with delicacies from Castilla y León with an approx. value of £300   

    HAMPER CONTAINS:

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    A superb hamper with fantastic delicacies of Spanish produce from Castilla y León region with an approximately value of £300

    Two bottles of wine:

    • Tinto Hito de Ribera del Duero
    • Legaris de Rueda

    One kilo of jamón Ibérico (100 gr sachets)

    A semi-curated sheep cheese

    A box of artisan Castilian biscuits

    Three pulses selection from Castilla y León:

    • Pinto beans from La Bañeza
    • Pedrosillano chickpeas
    • Tierra de Campos lentils

    Anything referring to these three days gastronomic event could be follow in social media on hashtag #CastillaLeonOnYourPlate and through the following twitter handles @Arbina_London / @Junta_CyL @CyLesVida y @Tierradesabor

    For more information, please contact:

    Javier López de Arbina

    Tel.:  020 3581 7007

    E-mail: info@arbina.co.uk

    Web: www.arbina.co.uk

     

  • Spanish Tapas Tour 2017

    The Spanish Chamber of Commerce in Great Britain organised in June the first edition of the Spanish Tapas Tour, a new gastronomic event that brought to London the best flavours from Spanish cuisine.

    Based on one of the most important events in Spain, the week of the tapas, The Spanish Tapas Tour took place from 12th to 18th June. During that week, 10 of the best Spanish restaurants in London offered a Tapa and a drink at a fixed price, with plates that represented a wide range of regions from the country.

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    Arbina Offered a “Tazacorte” octopus ink tempura on a bed of Galician sand and planckton; Barrica, Aubergine, jamón & manchego ‘lasagne’ with an almond vinaigrette; Boquería, Suckling pig, aubergine torrija, quince and blood orange; Brindisa, smoked anchovies with mojo borage and crostini and Copita, sardines & beetroot – pickled egg with capers, membrillo & a black olive puree.

    Drakes Tabanco offered presa ibérica with Café de Paris butter; Ibérica, baby carrot tempura with homemade tartare sauce; Hispania, salmorejo with flavours of the sea; Sagardi, ‘Roxario’ ciderhouse-style salted cod omelette, and Tapas Revolution offered ham croquettes.

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    During that week, more than 350 tapas were sold and the public could try real Spanish flavours and felt just as if they were in Spain. The Spanish Tapas Tour also had its own passport, where people got a stamp after tasting the tapa of each restaurant.

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    The participants of the Spanish Tapas Tour had the chance to take part in two different contests. The first one gave them the opportunity to win a city break to Spain. They just needed to sample at least 4 different tapas and choose their preferred one. A raffle took place among the eligible passports and a lucky winner will now travel to Spain. We would like to thank Iberia Express and NH Hotels for kindly providing the flights and the hotel stay for two people.

    NHgroup_POS_V_GrisI2 LogoThe most highly valued tapa from the public vote was the Tazacorte octopus from Arbina. We want to congratulate and thank them for their active involvement on this event.

    Logo Arbina

    A second contest was held on Instagram. People should upload a picture of their tapa using the hashtag #SpanishTapasTour. The most liked picture won a hamper of typical Spanish products, thanks to Eatapas.

    etapas_logo_passion-sin-fondo.gifCesta para el ganador

    We would like to thank all the participant restaurants and the public that participated in the Spanish Tapas Tour. We hope to see all of you in the next edition!

    Please click here to see the official video for the Spanish Tapas Tour.

  • TAPAS – THE DEFINING INVENTION OF SPANISH GASTRONOMY

    If there is something for which Spanish food is recognised world-wide that is the invention of tapas. These little portions of food have made Spanish gastronomy popular in almost every corner of the planet, but there’s still much confusion about what a tapa is (or even isn’t). We have asked our member Mariscal & Sarroca, experts on fine food products, to shed some light on the topic. Here’s their view on the subject.

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    A tapa is truly an essential element of Spanish gastronomy. A tapa is defined as ‘any small portion of food that accompanies a drink’. Tapas bars can be found all around the world, and London is no exception. Experts do not agree on how the concept of tapa was created. Some people attribute its invention to the King Alfonso X, and some others to King Alfonso XIII.

    Legend has it that Alfonso X, who was King of Castile and Leon in the 13th c. had weak health, and he ordered that all the inns throughout his land had to always serve wine with a bit of food, so that the wine would be easier to digest. Cervantes, the great novelist from the XVII talks about this custom.

    However, there are those who think that the origin of tapas and the name must be attributed to Alfonso XIII. It seems that the King was visiting the province of Cadiz where he ordered a glass of sherry. It was very windy that day, often the case in this area, and to stop the beach sand from flying into the King’s glass, the waiter covered it with a slice of ham.

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    The King thought this was a fantastic idea, and he ordered all the next rounds of sherries to come with a ‘tapa’, word which in Spanish means ‘lid’ or ‘cover’. The concept quickly spread throughout the country, and as you know, going out for tapas and drinks is a very popular tradition in Spain, a fun way of tasting an array of different flavours, but not getting too full.

    The products from Mariscal & Sarroca are prefect to prepare the best quality tapas in no time. Do not take our word for it and give our products a go trying to reproduce the classic ham croquetas, an all-time tapas winner.

    HAM CROQUETTE (CROQUETA) RECIPE

    Croquetas are small, lightly breaded and fried fritters. They are a sure hit as an appetizer or an afternoon snack with a beer or a glass of wine. They are creamy and smooth and very tasty. You can make the dough ahead and freeze it. A very popular Spanish tapa!

    Ingredients (makes about 25)

    – 250 g Iberico ham Mariscal & Sarroca

    – 4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil Mariscal & Sarroca

    – 120 g unsalted butter

    – 115 g plain flour

    – 1 l full fat milk

    – ½ tsp nutmeg

    – Salt and pepper for seasoning

    – 3 eggs, beaten

    – 250 g breadcrumbs

    – 1 l oil for deep frying

    Directions

    Cut the ham into small pieces, heat the olive oil and butter in a large, heavy-bottomed pan and gently fry the ham for about 10 minutes until any fat has been largely rendered off. Stir in the flour and continue to cook, over a low heat, for a further 10 minutes, stirring frequently.

    Put the milk into a pan and gently warm to just below a simmer. Gradually beat the warm milk into the ham and flour mixture, stirring all the time to form a smooth béchamel. Continue to cook and stir for a further 10 to 15 minutes. Add the nutmeg and season with salt and black pepper.

    Remove from heat, transfer mixture to a container and leave to cook slightly, cover with cling film, pressing it down to the surface of the béchamel to prevent a skin forming. Put in the fridge for a minimum of 4 hours.

    To make the croquetas, have the beaten eggs in a shallow bowl, followed by the breadcrumbs in another shallow bowl, and a tray where to arrange the finished croquetas.

    Using your hands, form a golfball sized sphere with the béchamel. Dip it into the egg, coat well with the breadcrumbs and leave to rest on the tray. Repeat until all the mixture has been used.

    Heat the oil in a large pan or deep fryer and fry the croquetas in batches for about 2-3 minutes until heated through and golden brown. Remove from the oil, drain on kitchen paper and serve at once while still hot.

     

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    The content of this post has been sponsored by Mariscal & Sarroca, member of the Spanish Chamber of Commerce in Great Britain. If you would like to find out more about Mariscal & Sarroca, learn other delicious recipes or simply order the products to reproduce at home some tasty croquetas, please visit their website gourmetfoodspain.co.uk/ or click on the image below.

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    Mariscal & Sarroca will be taking part in the Speciality & Fine Food Fair, the quintessential trade event for fine food, that will take place from 7th – 9th September in London.  If you would like to drop in to visit them, please visit www.specialityandfinefoodfairs.co.uk for further details on how to attend.

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