Christmas in Spain started in earnest two days ago. That was Christmas Eve, a big deal for the Spanish, and also for the Germans. An important meal and for many, Catholics and Protestants alike, Midnight Mass at church.
[Image courtesy of Apartment Costa Blanca]
In our case we celebrated German-style (my wife Rita is German). A pleasant dinner at home and the opening of presents.
We opted for "raclette", originally Swiss. "Raclette" is a special cheese which is used in combination with vegetables, meat and fish, heated on and under a table-top electric grill on a large "spoon".
It's do-it-yourself, so very informal.
Our raclette grill [Photo: Paul Whitelock]
Presents
I am very traditional and love to give presents; Rita is the exact opposite. So I had prepared three large bags, one for Rita; one for me from myself; and one for our two cats, Paulinchen and Fritzi.
Rita opened her presents first. She liked the 1000-piece jigsaw featuring a cat that looked like Paulinchen; a Sudoku calendar, but the other things left her cold, eg a dictionary of swear words; an English vocabulary trainer; a purse with a cat on; audio earpieces; fun Christmas specs and Mickey Mouse tissues.
I open
ed my presents next. I was thrilled with all of mine! (Obviously!)
The cats showed little interest in their Christmas gifts until I lifted a cat snack out. Then Paulinchen came to life.
Fritzi remained asleep behind the sofe.
Paulinchen checks out her presents [PW]
Dinner
We adjourned to the dining room where our meal was set up. A toast to Christmas and off we went.
Loading our "spoons"; putting beef, pork and salmon pieces on the hot plate; chatting away like billy-oh; and occasionally taking a glug of wine (we had a rather tasty Pata Negra tempranillo crianza from 2023 and another Pata Negra wine, this time white and as dry as a bone).
And occasionally we remembered to have something to eat. A salad on the side complemented the meat, fish and vegetables.
Our Pata Negra tinto [Paul Whitelock]
It was a long, leisurely and relaxed meal. Something we've not done for a while.
After a home-made zabaglione for dessert we adjourned to the sofa and watched some telly .....
, ..... before retiring early to bed.
Rita enjoyed it! [Paul Whitelock]
Links
Fine Dining at Christmas II - Christmas Day
Help me, Ronda - HELP ME RONDA
Secret Serrania de Ronda | The biggest and best guide for where to stay, where to eat and what's on events
© The "Guiri" Gourmet
Pictures:
Apartment Costa Blanca, Paul Whitelock, Secret Serrania,
Thanks:
Eye on Spain, Karl Smallman, Paul Whitelock, Rita, Spanish, The "Guiri" Gourmet,
Tags:
Apartment Costa Blanca, aperitif, Christmas Eve, Eye on Spain, Feliz Navidad, German, grill, Karl Smallman, "Lovely Rita", Noche Buena, Pata Negra, Paul Whitelock, raclette, Rita, salad, Spanish, The "Guiri" Gourmet, vegetables, vino tinto,
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