The Mediterranean diet as a way of life

Cooking based on the way feed ourselves, the way we cook and share our food with others

SPAIN Just a few years ago, the Mediterranean diet was all the rage throughout the world. As a way of life, it was healthy and efficient yet not in the least complicated to live by. Based on ancient techniques, many of which were born of necessity, the geographical boundaries are the three continents that touch on, yes, the Mediterranean: Africa, Asia and Europe, all of whom share similar climates, cultures and even religions - the latter having their foundations in Judaism, Islam and Christianity. The heritage is ancient, transmitted from generation to generation over thousands of years. The Mediterranean diet is the result of inter-cultural exchange that has develioped over the cenuries. The Mediterranean peoples, however much they have in common, must then also have their own identities.>>>

Wild mushroom cookery book to be distributed tomorrow

JIMENA To coincide with the opening of the XIII Mycology Workshops (see full programme here), the Council is to distribute a cookery book with some of the municipality's restaurants' favourite mushroom recipes. Titled Setas y Fogones (loosely translated to Mushrooms and Cooking) and only in Spanish, its aim is that it should be used as a tool for tourists. The booklet contains recipes from Restaurante Cuenca, Hostal-Restaurante El Anón, Restaurante La Tasca, Restaurante El Ventorrillero, Restaurante Las Rejas, Hostal-Restaurante Los Arcos, Restaurante La Vía, Restaurante Mesilla de Los Ángeles, Restaurante Cacholla and Restaurante La Estación, both these in San Pablo. Look out for it at any of these establishments and, please mention you saw it here first!

'Is this the stupidest TV commercial ever?'

'Looking at it from Spain, it certainly is. It's also an insult to Spain as well as to my, and hopefully your, intelligence.' Our curmudgeonly colleague Alexander Bewick obviously has his dander up of late. Last week he lambasted the inequities of the Spanish judicial 'system' (his inverted commas, not ours), tying it in with Fascism, this time he prawnbastes the famous Jamie Oliver. Actually, we agree that Oliver needs a few lessons in geography, not to mention taste.

Mesilla Los Ángeles to represent Jimena at El Puerto de Santa María cookery workshops

Carmen, the cook at Mesilla Los Ángeles, in Estación, will represent Jimena at a cookery workshop to be held in El Puerto de Santa María on November 19. The workshops, held at the famous El Faro restaurant, are organized by laalacena.net, who requested the presence of a representative specializing in the preparation of wild mushrooms, according to Noelia García, Councillor for the Environment. Carmen has proposed a dish that includes fish as well as mushrooms, though she refused to elaborate further when we called her to find out (Photo: illustration only). Her presentation will remain on the restaurant's menu throughout the Autumn season.