Spanish Cooking Adventure in Andalucia with Chef Kim Schiffer and Food Guide Extraordinaire Peggy Markel
In the Alpujarras mountains
of Spain, in the village of Ferreirola, lies the beautiful country
house and retreat center of Casa Ana.
On this culinary adventure we invite you to celebrate the abundance
of spring here with us. We will gather herbs on mountain walks,
harvest vegetables from the garden, cook wild asparagus in casuelas,
make authentic paella, feast on tapas, make romesco sauce for
spring onions, roast a seven hour lamb w/pistachio pesto, taste
wonderful
Spanish wines.
We’ll explore the culture of Andalucia with visits to the fabulous fruit and vegetabl market in Malaga and in the bodegas of the Sierra Nevada mountain villages. Lastly, we will spend two days in the historic city of Granada including a visit to the fabled Alhambra Palace.
The Detailed Program
DAY ONE:
Mercado, Museum, and Trek to Alpujarras
destination of
Casa Ana
Morning: You will meet Kim Schiffer, your chef and cooking teacher and Anne Hunt, owner of Casa Ana. They will be your guides aroung the fabulous Malaga market where you will buy fruit and vegetables, meats and fish for the course.
Afternoon: Malaga was the birthplace of the great artist Pablo Picasso, and we’ll visit the Picasso Museum, an old palace that houses a permanent collection of his work.
From there, we’ll take the scenic drive along the coast then up into the mountains to Casa Ana. We will stop for a taste of the seafood along the Mediterranean first.
DAY TWO: Hike and Afternoon Baking Class
In the morning Anne will take you through the almond groves to a hidden natural spring where we can collect pure mountain drinking water. We will also have our first glimpse of the ancient terraces and mule paths, built centuries ago by the Moors, and the traditional village threshing grounds that dot the hillsides.
We will have lunch at Casa Ana and in the afternoon Kim will teach a baking class with culinary treats such as Almond-Olive Oil Cake w/Candied Kumquats and Tangerines, Port Scented Flan and Anise Cookies.
Dinner at Casa Ana.
DAY THREE: Cooking Class
In the morning, Kim will have a short demonstration cooking class making food we will serve at lunch.
In the afternoon Kim and students will prepare a sumptuous Spanish dinner. Seasonal specialties might include Chicken w/Saffron, Peppers w/Maldon Salt, Albondigas with Almonds Sauce, Cheesecake w/Pine Nut Glaze.
DAY FOUR: Herb Walk and Cooking Class
In the morning, renowned herbologist Julio Donat will take us into the mountains to pick wild herbs for our cooking. He will also tell us about the uses of herbs in traditional medicine.
In the afternoon we will cook an exciting
variety of Tapas.
DAY FIVE: Field Trip and Picnic
In the morning we will go to the village of Pampaneira in the Poqueira Valley. We will visit the wonderful bodegas there to sample the local cheeses, fortified wines and Jamon Serrano for which the area is famous. From Pampaneira we will take a picnic lunch to the beautiful Poqueira River gorge. Lunch could include a Fig and Walnut Tapenade with cheese and local bread, Two Bean and Olive Salad, and an Almond Torte.
Dinner at Casa Ana.
DAY SIX: Cooking Class
A free morning or come with Anne on a two-hour hike.
In the afternoon, Francsco Lillo will take you out onto the terrace to cook the perfect paella on an open fire. We will sample traditional side dishes as well. After dinner we will relax to the beautiful music of flamenco guitar under the stars. Live performance.
DAY SEVEN: Granada and Turkish Baths and Francisco’s Bodega
After breakfast we will leave Casa Ana and travel to Granada. We will check into our hotel, shop and explore and meet in the afternoon at the traditional Arab Baths. As we soak in the relaxing hot baths, we are soothed by the scent of neroli oil and soft Andalous style music.
In the evening, Francisco Lillo invites us to dinner at his bodega, La Oliva, with an opportunity to sample a wonderful range of gourmet delicacies, olive oils, cheeses and wine.
DAY EIGHT: Alhambra
and Wine Tasting
After breakfast we will head to the fabulous 13th century Alhambra (Red Castle); the last stronghold of the Moorish rulers in Spain, with its palaces, fountains, shady courtyards and gardens - a feast for the soul and one of the wonders of the world.
We will have lunch nearby. There will be time to explore the old city of Granada with its shops and squares, cathedral and Moroccan quarter.
In the afternoon we will visit La Carte des Vinsbodega where Juan Antonio Barato will offer a wine tasting with great wines from several regions of Spain.
Our last meal together we will celebrate at a local tapas bar.
DAY NINE: Departure
Day
We will provide transportation
in the morning to Malaga.
Drive time
approximately
90
minutes from
Granada to
Malaga.
