Spanish food - Omar Allibhoy webchat Thurs 22 Aug 1-2pm

GeraldineGransnet

I would love to get hold of some of those little earthenware dishes that are often used to serve tapas. Is it possible to get hold of them in this country? There used to be a deli near me that sold bigger ones (casserole size) but it's gone now. It's the small ones I'm after, anyway.

You can find the most beautiful earthenware from Spain on the Internet. Depending on how many you buy, they will be able to deliver them for free to your home.

flopsybunny

Hi Omar, I had some absolutely delicious rice pudding in Spain a couple of years ago. I'm not sure what was different about it, but it was nothing like the school dinners version I remember from my childhood. Is this a common dessert in Spain and would it be possible for me to make a rice pudding as good as the one I had on my holiday?

I am a huge fan of rice pudding and I agree there is no other like the Spanish one. I have cooked rice pudding in probably more than 30 different ways and in my book you will find the one I think is the best. And I promise you this one is very very good. Sorry, it's too long a recipe to write here.

nancy22

Hi There

I am a vegetarian but i also eat fish, but i also have limited time to cook at night, what would you recommend me to cook thats full of flavour but is quick to prepare and cook.

Many thanks

Mackerel in escabeche. Fry in a bit of olive oil sliced onion, carrot, garlic. Sprinkle a bit of sweet pimenton and add a splash of white wine or vinegar. Immerse your mackerel in this sauce and when cooked put on a plate. Mix the vegetables and liquid with a tin of drained chickpeas and serve with your fillet of mackerel.

albertine

Hello
do you where can I buy dried giant butterbeans, please

You will be able to find them from ocado.com. They have a really good selection of Spanish deli products. Spanish butterbeans are very difficult to find otherwise.

Nonu

Hi Omar , I hope you don"t mind me saying, but I have just seen your photo on G/N newsletter , and I have to say I think you rather handsome !

Thank you so much for the compliment. I hope you like my food too.

cm25

Hi Omar,

So great to have you on Gransnet, I'm really looking forward to reading all of your tips.
I, like everyone else it seems, adore tapas!
My question is what are the store cupboard essentials for spanish tapas cooking and where are the best places to source them??

Thanks!!!

Spanish olive oil, sweet pimenton, saffron, olives, rocksalt. That's very much it. Nothing fancy.

LyndaW

Hello Omar
I am so looking forward to this webchat. I love eating but hate cooking so maybe you can change me mind...? Mine's a personal question (following on from Nonu's assessment (which I have to agree with!) Are you married yet or have a family? My middle son once worked as a chef and I know he worked ridiculous hours. And my oldest also works in hospitality and he struggles with the late nights and unsociable hours. How do you manage to keep the balance?

I am married and I have a 5 week old son. My father once told me when I was 14 years old "Dedicate yourself to what you like to do and you will never have to work in your whole life." If you like what you do you will learn to enjoy the long hours and manage a healthy lifestyle. I could work Monday to Friday 9 to 5 in an office but I can tell you I would be incredibly unhappy. It comes down to them.