Pesto and sundried tomato cheese torta, Mama Ía blog

Pesto and sundried tomato cheese terrine —and gathering again

Pesto and sundried tomato cheese torta, Mama Ía blogThe pesto and sundried tomato cheese terrine I’m presenting today is the ultimate party appetizer. Yes, I said party! Because you feel it in the air, you see it on the streets: the summer of 2021 is going to look nothing like that of 2020. Masks are for the most part optional everywhere, but what is more important, we are going to be able to safely gather! At least those of us who are vaccinated.

Lunch in Taroncheral, Mama Ía blogBarbacoa in Taroncheral, Mama Ía blogAnd with that, parties will happen in backyards, people will gather on the streets, and potlucks will provide a reason for people to choose a (more…)

Basque cheesecake, Mama Ía blog

Basque cheesecake —and Part 6 (and last) of the vegetable garden: the ground cover

Basque cheesecake, Mama Ía blogYou’ve probably heard of Basque cheesecake, San Sebastián cheesecake, or cheseecake from La Viña restaurant. I’m sharing that recipe today, which is not mine, but Santiago Rivera’s, chef at La Viña resturant in San Sebastián.

Vegetable garden, Mama Ía blogBasque cheesecake, Mama Ía blog

I thought this cheesecake was perfect to accompany Part 6 (and last) of the construction of our vegetable garden last year. My aunt Isa loves gardening, and she has a green thumb —her garden is always colorful and exuberant— and gardening reminds me of her.

I’ve mentioned my aunt Isa on this blog before. My aunt (more…)

Chicken tagine, Mama Ía blog

Chicken tagine, and the Moroccan influence

Chicken tagine, Mama Ía blogThere are many recipes for chicken tagine, and this is one of them, the one I make most often at home, because it’s a crowdpleaser. Okay, I have to confess that some people in my family don’t like olives (go figure!) But they can easily set them aside on this dish. Other than that, If you are like my family, you’re going to love this dish, not only because it’s so satisfying, so nutritious, so balanced and so flavorful, but because it brightens up a table and brings the family and friends together.

La Mamounia, Marrakech, Mama Ía blog

Tagine is the ultimate Moroccan dish. There are probably as many tagine dishes as households in Morocco, with different kinds of meats, fish and vegetables. Tagine (more…)

A treat from Andalusia, made usually during Lent and easter.

Pestiños, an Andalusian Lent and Easter treat

Pestiños, Mama Ía blogWith the end of the season of Lent and the beginning of that of Easter, I bring you a Spanish treat typical of this season, pestiños. Don’t ask me to translate it, because I would have a hard time doing it. You’ll have to call it by its original name, and I will help you pronounce it: pehs-teen-yohs. 

Holy Week in Spain, Mama Ía blog

Holy Week processions in Sevilla. Holy Wednesday, Hermandad del Baratillo – Brotherhood of Baratillo

Pestiños, Mama Ía blog

The season calls for Lent and Easter meals, with meatless, savory ones enjoyed on Fridays and sweet ones (many of them) enjoyed on Easter, when traditionally lenten promises and (more…)

Crunchy artichokes, Mama Ía blog

Crispy artichokes —and the vegetable garden Part 5: the lattice fence and the gate

Crunchy artichokes, Mama Ía blogAlcachofas, artichokes, are probably my mom‘s favorite vegetable. And if you make them using this recipe, it might become your favorite vegetable too. Bye-bye chips! For that touch of crunchiness plus an overdose of flavor, try alcachofas fritas, crispy artichokes, which could easily be called artichoke chips.

Not only are these crispy artichokes so tasty that you will not be able to stop after eating one or two, but they’re also highly nutritious.

Vegetable garden, Mama Ía blog

Ta da! We have a gate

Not only are these crispy artichokes so tasty that you will not be able to stop after eating one or two, but they’re also highly nutritious. Artichokes have (more…)

Romesco sauce and calçots, Mama Ia blog

Romesco sauce with calçots, from Cataluña to the world

Romesco sauce and calçots, Mama Ia blogI’ve been wanting to post the recipe for salsa romesco —or rather, salsa romesco con calçots, romesco sauce with calçots—, for a while. So when I spotted some very fat green onions at the market last week, I knew I had to make a calçotada at home. And what a happy coincidence that calçots are now in season in Spain! A mostly winter or very early spring dish, it was also very appropriate to make them as we were being buried in snow, as the photos can attest. School as cancelled for the whole week!

Romesco sauce and calçots, Mama Ia blogSnow in Fort Wayne, Mama Ia blog (more…)

Salmon steaks with majado, Mama Ía blog

Salmon steaks with majado – and building a vegetable garden (Part 4)

Salmon steaks with majado, Mama Ía blogI don’t know if it’s happening to you, but for me, time is flying. Can you believe Lent starts this week? I had another recipe planned for this post, but I’ll postpone it, because I know you will be looking for fish recipes that are tasty and easy to make. These salmon steaks with majado are it: tasty, healthy, delicious looking and easy to make. 

Salmon steaks with majado, Mama Ía blogVegetable garden, Mama Ía blog

I like to look for steaks rather than fillets, and basically any accompaniment will work: depending on the season, you can use green beans, asparagus, or (more…)

Mushrooms with leeks and peas, Mama Ía blog

Mushrooms with leeks and peas—healthy habits and a 2021 wish

Mushrooms with leeks and peas, Mama Ía blogWe are starting out the year right, with lots of vegetables and lighter meals. Today’s recipe, mushrooms with leeks and peas, is so satisfying it will not leave you craving any animal protein.

Mushrooms with leeks and peas, Mama Ía blog

I don’t consider we over ate during the holiday season. Sure, I’ll admit we indulged in more sweets and Christmas treats. However, the extra sweets we had, when combined with (more…)

Fabada asturiana, Mama Ía blog

Fabada Asturiana, comfort food for a rocky start of 2021

Fabada asturiana, Mama Ía blogCome this time of year and all I want to have is a stew, a hearty soup, something to warm me up inside. Fabada asturiana is the answer –one of them at least, and a scrumptious one at that.

Fabada asturiana, Mama Ía blog

Downtown Fort Wayne, Mama Ía blog

The events of the last few days, as we started out a new year filled with hope, also makes me crave for this dish. The attack on the Capitol in Washington DC on January 6, as we celebrated the (more…)

Gingerbread layer cake, Mama Ía blog

Gingerbread layer cake, for a holiday season like no other

Gingerbread layer cake, Mama Ía blogThis gingerbread layer cake was my birthday cake, but it turned out so festive and beautiful (and delicious!) that I think it will make for a wonderful end of your Christmas Eve dinner or Christmas day brunch or lunch.

Thanksgiving table 2020, Mama Ía blogChicago, Mama ía blog

The molasses in the gingerbread layer cake give it a very characteristic flavor, and you could substitute the molasses with dark corn syrup for a smoother flavor. The addition of the Guinness beer is surprising, and perfect. And then, the nutmeg in (more…)