Blog of Oonah V Joslin -- please visit my Parallel Oonahverse at WordPress

where I post stories and poems that have not been seen elsewhere - also recipes and various other stuff. http://oovj.wordpress.com/

and see me At the Cumberland Arms 2011









Saturday 28 February 2015

Happy Andalusia Day and then Happy Saint David's Day & Faggots Recipe

There's a bar in Benalmedina where they celebrate St David's Day with faggots and peas! We know this because we were there and you couldn't move for dragons. Now I like faggots as well as the next person but in Spain? There are better things to eat. Not that faggots are a million miles from those little tapas porkballs you sometimes get in tomato sauce mmmmmm! And whilst I have always bought frozen before, Noel told me last time that the quality had deteriorated so much that I wasn't to buy them any more -- typical recession story! So -- recipe to follow here. 

Although we were there for both days we celebrated neither because we went on a never to be forgotten Trip to Tangier on Feb 28th the one time we were in Andalusia and we have always celebrated St David's Day so that wouldn't have been anything new! 

We saw a total eclipse of the Moon in Benalmedina when we were there. Apparently on the 20th March we will see a partial but pretty good eclipse of the Sun from right here in NE Britain. I love eclipses -- they're spooky :)

So here's a story for Andalusia Day --  Trip to Tangier

And an easy recipe for Faggots for St David's Day



makes 8 or 9 and they freeze and reheat in the microwave from frozen!

1lb minced pork



2 lobes pig’s liver

1 kidney optional -- remember to remove the pipes!

2 slices bread (about 4oz)

1 onion

4 leaves sage or a tsp dried

1 tsp thyme or mixed herbs

1 tsp grated nutmeg

Salt & white pepper



Using the food processor blade, Zizz all the liver, kidney, onion etc until it looks all gloopy and horrible like reconstituted meat (only you'll know it's all good stuff not like when you buy ready made!). Stir this mixture into the pork. Form 9 balls. Roll in flour, semolina or polenta (cornmeal). Place in well buttered oven proof tray or glass dish. Covered with foil and bake at 190 or170 for a fan oven for an hour.

Serve with onion gravy mash & peas


FOR THE GRAVY:
1-2 oz butter
1 large yellow onion, ZiiiZZZed :) 
half tbsp. flour
1- 2 cups beef stock
SPLASH wine & sherry
½ tsp. Worcestershire sauce
salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

The secret is to let the onions caramelise a bit! And don't forget the Welshcakes!


  Wherever you may be, Wales, Andalusia or Morrocco, may the end of February and the beginning of March bring a spring to your step!