Looking for the Perfect Christmas Gift for $15???

Friends share good times, bad times...and sometimes, they share recipes!  Mari Luz is just such a friend.  She's also our massage therapist.  She only speaks Spanish and French, so she's also our Spanish teacher!  We feel so fortunate to have her as our friend!  Last year, she invited Tiff and I over for brunch and to teach us how to make a traditional Spanish tortilla. 

I blogged about it in my entry entitled, Cooking with Mari Luz.  Once we master that, we decided we should try to figure out how to make all the Spanish dishes we love, so when we get back to the States, we wouldn't have to do without our Spanish favorites. Our friends and family who had visited us in Spain said they wanted to know how to make them too and suggested we put our results in a cookbook.  So in January, we started spending days in the "Test Kitchen" and had finished files to the printer in Connecticut before we went on the "Last Hurrah" cruise in April.  It was quite an undertaking and we loved every minute of it.  We are so proud of our book and think it would make a great additional to your kitchen.  All the recipes are in US measurements, with substitutions for hard to get Spanish food items, and all the recipes are easy to make!  Unlike Tiff, I don't like to spend a ton of time in the kitchen, so we take shortcut where ever possible without sacrificing flavor.  We developed five original cocktails, including red and white sangria.  Frankly, it's worth the $15 price tag for the cocktails alone.  So you don't even have to cook to get your money's worth out of this book!  And it's a good read too, with 75 beautiful color pictures (at least one for every recipe), a "decoding" Spanish wine section, an Olive Oil piece, a little information about Spanish cooking culture, what to keep in your Spanish Pantry, as well as wine proverbs and sayings throughout the book.

The Drinking Girls' Guide to Spanish Food is organized for your party planning purposes.  We started with an appetizer section, five tapas that we call Tasty Little Starters!

"Hammered" Olives

Pan y Tomate

Cheese & Chorizo Plate

Patatas Aiöli

Fried Manchego

 After the Tasty Little Starters section, we have organized recipes into five fun menus, each with an original cocktail.  If you don't have time to make the special cocktail that goes with the menu, we also offer wine pairings that work well with each menu.

First up is our "Tapas Anytime Brunch" which includes Spanish-style brunch selection that can be served with our Valencian Sunrise or nice, crisp Chardonnay!  

Valencian Sunrise

Gazpacho A-Go-Go

Traditional Spanish Tortilla

Malpica Mixed Greens Salad with Sherry Vinaigrette

We call our next menu "Pollo Loco Asado," Spanish comfort food that's "crazy" good.  It is delicioso with our version of white Sangria, but pairs well with a good chilled Cava (Spanish Champagne) or a Tempranillo.

No Secret's Safe Sangria

Velvety Cream of Mushroom Soup

Pollo Asado (Roasted Chicken)

Ga-Ga for Garlic Potatoes

 Our next menu is called "Oh My Gambas."   Gambas or shrimp is the main course on this menu which includes a creamy asparagus soup, and sautéed green beans, as well as strawberry and mint infused white wine spritzer.  Pair this menu with a Sauvignon Blanc or Sparkling Rosado if you don't have time to make this yummy cocktail... 

Strawberry Blush

Bet Your "Asparagus" Soup 

Gambas Al Ajillo

Sautéed Green Beans with Pine Nuts

We call our fourth party menu "Not Your Abuela's Paella"  which includes our version of Red Sangria, garlic and almond soup, and sautéed mini-sweet jalapeños.  This menu pairs well with a Sauvignon Blanc.  If serving the paella with tapas selcetion and not the Ajo Blanco, serve with a Cabernet Sauvignon.  

Stumblin' Home Sangria

Ajo Blanco

Tossed Paella Mixta

Pimientos de Padrón

 We call our final menu "Got Scallops? Si, Claro!" Of course, we do!  Scallops, aspargus wrapped in Spanish ham, and succulent sautéed mushroom.  Serve with our Lemony Cava Cooler or Cava alone.  This dish is really impressive and great for when you are having company.

Lemony Cava Cooler

Gone in 60 Seconds Sautéed Mushrooms

Sea Scallops with Cava Cream Sauce

Roasted Jamón-Wrapped Asparagus

 No party is complete without a nice dessert.  Here are some tasty Spanish-inspired desserts that will have you spending more time with your guests and less time in the kitchen.  Keeping with our theme, we called this section "Drunken Desserts."

Tempranillo Poached Apples & Peaches with Vanilla Ice Cream

Sherry-Spiked Sponge Cake with Ice Cream and Berries

Cafe con Leche Shooters with Assorted Chocolate & Fruits

Arroz con Leche (Traditional Rice Pudding)

We hope we've tempted you into buying our cookbook, The Drinking Girls' Guide to Spanish Food.  We guarantee that you won't be disappointed.  We developed, tested, photographed and ate every single one of these recipes and we loved every single minute of it!  Miss you, Tiff!  Wish you were here...in Spain!  Order your book at the top right of this blog...we accept paypal and all major forms of credit.  Buy one for yourself and your family and friends!  They also make great teacher and office gifts!  It's a delicious Book Club selection too.  Are you part of a gourmet or cooking club?  Again...perfect selection as well!  Buen provecho!