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Spanish cooking holiday in Andalucia: Nov 2008

This November we invite you to celebrate the abundance of autumn.  We’ll forage in the woods for chestnuts and wild mushrooms and we’ll cook hearty cazuelas, rabbit stews, soups that are meals in themselves, authentic paella, a feast of tapas, apple crepes and candied fruits. 

We’ll also explore the culture of Andalucia with visits to the Alhambra Palace in Granada, local wineries and bodegas in the mountain villages.  

Contents of this page

• The detailed programme
• The price and what's included
• How to contact us and how to book

The detailed programme

Day One:  Saturday 1st November

Arrival day: You will be met at Malaga airport by our representative. There is a wonderfully scenic drive up into the Alpujarra mountains to Casa Ana. Join us for a welcome drink, tapas and introductions before dinner at 7.30 pm.

Day Two:  Sunday 2nd November

In the morning Anne Hunt, owner of Casa Ana, will take you through the almond groves to a hidden spring where we can collect pure mountain drinking water. We shall also have our first glimpse of ancient terraces and mule paths, built centuries ago by the Moors, and traditional village threshing grounds.

We’ll have lunch at Casa Ana and meet Cordoban chef Francisco Lillo. Over lunch, Francisco will tell us about everything from Andalucian cookery and gastronomy, to the Moorish civilization, to the history of Granada … wherever the conversation leads. In the afternoon Francisco will take you out onto the terrace of Casa Ana to cook the perfect paella

Day Three:  Monday 3rd November

After breakfast, herbologist Julio Donat will take us into the woods to gather chestnuts, mushrooms and herbs and will tell us about the culinary and medicinal uses of wild plants.

After lunch at Casa Ana, Kim Schiffer will teach a baking class, with culinary treats such as Almond-Olive Cake with Candied Kumquats and Tangerines, Port-Scented Flan and Anise Biscuits.

Day Four:  Tuesday 4th November

An all day excursion to Granada. We will begin with a visit to the fabulous 13th century Alhambra (Red Castle), the last stronghold of the Moorish rulers in Spain, with its exquisite ceramic mosaics, fountains, shady courtyards and gardens.

This will be followed by lunch at one of Granada’s tapas bars. Then we will visit the hammam, the traditional Arab baths. As we soak in the relaxing hot baths, we are soothed by the scent of neroli oil and soft Andalous style music. From there we will visit the Moroccan quarter of the city for shopping.

Dinner will be with Francisco at his bodega with a chance to sample a wonderful range of gourmet delicacies, olive oils and wines.

Day Five:  Wednesday 5th November

There will be a free morning followed by an afternoon cooking class with Kim. The theme is tapas: learn to make Moorish Chicken and Pine Nut Pie, Grilled Vegetables with Romesco Sauce, Tortilla Espanola and Cabrales with Port Marinated Figs - to name but a few.

Day Six:  Thursday 6th November

An all day excursion to the wineries of the Contraviesa area with Francisco with opportunities to discuss wines with the local wine-makers.

We will have a picnic lunch out in the Contraviesa and on the way home, we’ll visit the village of Trevelez, world famous for its production of jamon serrano.

For dinner we’ll visit a local restaurant, the Corral del Castano in the village of Capileira.

Day Seven:  Friday 7th November

In the morning we’ll visit the village of Pampaneira in the Poqueira valley, for shopping and a cheese and wine tasting in the local bodega.

In the afternoon Kim will teach a cooking class for our final dinner party. Seasonal specialities will include Chestnut Soup with Wild Mushrooms, Braised Lamb with Preserved Lemon and Olive Sauce, Lentils and Rice with Fried Shallots, Seasonal Vegetables and Salads and Filoas (Apple Crepes).

We’ll round off our last evening with some flamenco guitar, the true sound of Andalucia.

Day Eight:  Saturday 8th November

Departure day.

Prices

Price: EUR 1,625 including accommodation (based on sharing a room with one other person), meals and wines, tuition, excursions and airport transfers. It does not include flights. Numbers will be limited to 12 so don’t hesitate to sign up. It will fill quickly!

How to book

In order that we can give maximum personal attention to each participant, there are only 12 places available on each cooking course.

To book a place on any of our cooking holidays or for more information contact Anne at Casa Ana, tel: 0034 958 766 270 or email: info@casa-ana.com

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