The Orange Groves of Mallorca

The Oranges of Mallorca

In 1869, Tomas Forteza wrote the Hymn of Praise to Mallorca in which he describes the oak trees of the forests of the island of Mallorca, and the fruit trees that can be found around the landscape with particular mention of the orange groves and their fragrance. He was really referring to the area of Soller in the northern part of Mallorca where the tram running from Palma to Soller runs so close you can almost pick the oranges from the trees.

The orange trees were first planted in Mallorca as far back as the 11th century when the Arabs planted bitter oranges to decorate their courtyards and gardens. The bitter orange was also used for medicinal purposes with the peel of the orange used to sweeten the breath by chewing on it and the fragrance from the orange used to dissipate stale air from rooms not ventilated by fresh air. The juice from the orange was even believed to cure outbursts of rage.

Discover Canary Islands Spirits at the Abama Golf & Spa Resort

If you are on your holiday in Tenerife and are staying at the Abama Golf and Spa Resort in Guia de Isora, then  head to the Wine Bar to learn everything there is to know about the best spirits and brandies of the Canary Islands.

Each Thursday, guests will be able to to learn about the production process, all under the guidance of the Gomera Distillery.

If you would like to stay at the Abama Golf & Spa Resort, then Corona Holidays have some excellent offers available throughout the month of October which includes:

• FREE half board
• 7 nights for the price of 6
• 14 nights for the price of 12

Take a look at the hotel or give us a call on freephone number 0800 5 677688 [from a mobile the phone number is 01582 421117]. 

Spanish Tapas - Fried Chorizo

Ingredients :
4 chorizo sausages
dash of olive oil
3 gloves garlic - crushed
quarter cup of chopped fresh parsley

.... and for a difference
2 tablespoons of honey
2 tablespoons of white wine vinegar

Lanzarote and Ibiza in "Bars of the World"

Recently, Lonely Planet in conjunction with Singha Beer, have brought out a guide to the world's best bars.  Included are:
La Cueva in Nazaret, Teguise, Lanzarote, Canary Islands  ... Off the Beaten Track
"Surely the most magical nightspot ever imagined, this surreal bar is built into volcanic cliffs with exposed rock walls.  There are tunnels, stairs, ladders and stepping stones across turquoise pools to connect the various bar areas.  Sip some Canarian rum and dance along to the tunes coming out of the caves above you."
Mari Pins in San Antonio Bay, Ibiza, Balearic Islands ... Pubs/Clubs
"The top DJs at Mari Pins really know what to play to get the party into full swing.  Fun themed nights and fun prizes [an evening's free drinks, a free jet ski ride], 80 different shots, lotsa lagers and an extensive cocktail list, coupled with a bar terrace and a snooker table, set you up for a great night".

Tenerife's Honey Awards

Tenerife held is Honey Fair last weekend with awards being given to the top regional honey producers in Tenerife.  Honey was on display mainly from the island of Tenerife, but also from the other Canary Islands.

Top awards went to Jose Antonio Alvarez and Juan Jose Dorta with honey from Guia de Isora, Cecilio Ledesma with produce of Tegueste, Carlos Ledesma and Francisco Gonzalez with honey from La Laguna.

Pay a visit to Casa de la Miel located next to the Casa del Vina in El Sauzal where you can also discover the history and production methods of this rural craft. Both centres are open on Tuesday 10:30 to 18:30 and Wednesday to Saturday 09:00-21:00 and Sunday 11:00 to 18:00 [closed on Monday].

James Bond - a load of Bollingers!

From this week onwards, if you are on your Tenerife holidays at the Abama Golf & Spa Resort in Guia de Isora, you will be able to view a showcased bottle of Bollinger encased in a bullet-shaped cover which celebrates the launch of the new James Bond film.

So, instead of the famous Martini - shaken not stirred - take a look at what James Bond prefers to drink in private - Bollinger.  The producers of this exclusive champagne have created a limited edition to coincide with the launch of the latest 007 film, and the Abama has acquired 1 of the 200 bottles which are collectors' items.

Stay at this luxury 5 Star hotel during July for £365 per person for 7 nights on Bed & Breakfast in an Abama Deluxe Room [flights are available at a supplement].  Just give Corona Holidays a call on 0800 5 677688 or send an enquiry. 

The Beatles come to La Orotava, Tenerife

If you are on your Tenerife holiday and in the resort of La Orotava on the 23, 34 and 26 June then head to the Rural Hotel Victoria where the hotel is holding a 3 night "Beatles" special themed menu put together by chef, Richard Etherington.  The menu comprises:
"Twist and Shout"
A non-alcoholic gin & tonic with whitebait

"Back in the USSR"
Steak tartare

"Octopus's Garden"
Warmed salad from the vegetable plot, with octopus and roasted sweet potato seasoned with a sauce of parsley and coriander.

"Yellow Submarine"
Seafood mousse with saffron and calendula covered in a prawn stock and 5 spices.

"Sergent Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club"
Sirloin of lamb with green peppers and lavender

"Stawberry Fields Forever"
Carpaccio of strawberries with Flor Electrica, a balsamic reduction and white chocolate cream.

Corona Holidays can offer accommodation at the Rural Hotel Victoria in La Orotava - just give us a call or send an enquiry.  The hotel runs many themed nights thoughout the year.

Potatoes are on the Menu

If you are on your holidays in Mallorca and are in the area of Sa Pobla on the 4th and 5th June, then Corona Holidays suggest that you take advantage of the 2nd Potato Gastronomy Night Fair when local bars and restaurants will offer more than 40 potato dishes for between 1-3 euros.

This is mainly taking place in the Plaza Major in Sa Pobla [approximately 8km from Alcudia, Playa de Muro and Pollensa].  Click here for a menu which sets out the bars and restaurants which are taking part, the dish being served and the price.  A great few nights out for the potato lover!

Spanish Food Website

I read an interesting article in the spring edition of Living Spain magazine concerning a new website which is dedicated to Spanish food.  

The company - Riquisimo Spain - is based in Swindon. Once products are ordered online they are delivered to your door within 48 hours.   Delicacies such as Jamon de Conejo [rabbit ham], paella rice, cheeses, olive oil, seafood conserve, chorizo, spices and coffee can all be ordered on their website. 

So if you are a lover of Spanish food then take a look at www.riquisimo-spain.co.uk

Victoria Hotel, Tenerife - Michelin's 2010 Guide

The Victoria Hotel in the resort of La Orovata, Tenerife, has been included in Michelin’s Guide 2010 edition for Spain and Portugal.

Located in the picturesque old town of La Orotava, just 4km from the resort centre, this 16th century stately home comprises 4 floors with a total of 14 rooms of which 1 is a suite. The Victoria Hotel has been well known for quite a while for its superb cuisine and Chef Richard Etherington heads up the kitchen with several gastronomic events arranged throughout the year; promoting the best of La Orotava’s vineyards.

The old town of La Orotava is well preserved and has fine churches and lovely mansions. One of the most photogenic features on your Tenerife holiday are the elaborate wooden balconies. Visit in late May or early June to see the Corpus Christi Festival when the square in front of the Palacio Municipal is decorated with carpets of flower petals and volcanic sands depicting religious scenes.

So if you would like to stay at the Victoria Hotel, just give us a call on 0800 5 677688 or send us an enquiry.

Garlic Prawns

A typical Spanish tapa is garlic prawns - normally served in a terracota dish, sizzling straight from the pan.

Ingredients [serves 4]
125ml [4 fl oz] olive oil
4 finely chopped garlic cloves
2 deseeded and finely chopped fresh red chillies
450g [1 lb] cooked king prawns
2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
salt and pepper
lemon wedges for garnish
crusty bread to serve

1.  Heat the olive oil in a large, heavy-based fying pan over a low heat and add the garlic and chillies and cook, stirring occasionally for 1-2 minutes or until softened.

2.  Add the prawns and fry for 2-3 minutes or until heated through and coated in the oil and garlic mixture

3.  Turn off the heat and add the chopped parsley, stirring well to mix.  Season to taste with salt and pepper.

4.  Divide the prawns and garlic-flavoured oil between hot serving dishes and garnish with lemon wedges.  Serve with crusty bread .... and a glass of wine of course.

Michelin Star Restaurant in Tenerife

The MB Restaurant at the Abama Golf and Spa Resort in Guia de Isora, Tenerife has been awarded its first one Michelin star by the Michelin Guide for Spain and Portugal - a guide on places to eat, scoring the quality of restaurants from one to three stars.

The Abama Golf and Spa Resort's MB Restaurant is one of 14 restaurants and bars avaialble at the hotel which is a 5 star luxury retreat in a quiet and privileged location and only a 5-minute walk from the beach.  The restaurant is run by renowned Basque chef - Martin Berasategui - and the head chef is Paolo Casagrande.  Martin started to learn his trade at the young age of 14 while helping out at the San Sebastian fish restaurant owned by his mother.

Olives with Orange and Lemon

With Christmas around the corner, olives are always a popular "nibble" and here's a Spanish tapa for you.

Ingredients:  [tsp = teaspoon / tbsp = tablespoon]
2 tsp fennel seeds
2 tsp cumin seeds

225g green olives
225g black olives
2 tsp grated orange rind
2 tsp grated lemon rind
3 spring onions, finely chopped
pinch of ground cinnamon
4 tbsp white wine vinegar
5 tbsp olive olive
2 tbsp orange juice
1 tbsp chopped fresh mint
1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley

Dry-fry the fennel seeds and cumin seeds in a small, heavy based frying pan, shaking the pan frequently until they begin to pop and give off their aroma.  Remove the pan from the heat and set aside to cool.

Place the olives, orange and lemon rind, spring onions, cinnamon and toasted seeds in a bowl.

Whisk the vinegar, olive oil, orange juice, mint and parsley together in a bowl and pour over the olives.  Mix well and then cover and allow to chill for 1-2 days before serving.

Tenerife Tapas Route

Residents in Puerto de la Cruz, Tenerife as well as visitors to the area have been enjoying the Tapas Route event which was organised by the council, the regional Chamber of Commerce and local business associations in the hope to stimulate the restaurant trade in the area. 

The Tapas Route invites people to visit each restaurant which is taking part in the event in order to try their particular "tapa of the day" with a glass of wine for just 2.50 euros. People taking part also have the chance to win prizes by collecting 10 stamps on their Gastronomic Passport which has been produced especially for the event.

We have lots of accommodation available in Puerto de la Cruz - just contact us if you would like a quotation.

Recipe for Rioja Potatoes

The region of Rioja is best known for its wine.  However, it also has a reputation for its cuisine.   Rioja potatoes is an ideal dish for the winter months ...



Ingredients :
1 kg potatoes
Chorizo
2 cloves of garlic
1 hot pepper
1 large onion
1 red or green pepper
Bay leaf
Paprika
Olive oil
Salt

Preparation :

1. Finely chop the onion and pepper and place in a saucepan with a little olive oil on a low heat until the onion is amost transparent.  Add the finely chopped garlic and the bay leaf and cook for a further 2 minutes.
2. Peel the potatoes and cut into pieces and add to the dish with the sliced chorizo.
3. Cover with water, add a pinch of salt and paprika and the hot pepper [if the chorizo is spicy, you may want to leave out the hot pepper].
4. Once boiling, lower the heat and leave to simmer for 40 minutes.
5. Adjust the seasoning as necessary and serve.

Bahia Palma Nova

Going to Palma Nova in Mallorca next year?  Why not stay at the 3 Star Bahia Palma Nova?

This is a very popular hotel located on the beach promenade overlooking Palma Nova beach and just a 10 minute walk to the centre of Magalluf.   We have an excellent offer available for next May flying from Gatwick [other UK airports are available] on a half board basis at just £298 per person for the week.

You will find the Restaurante Bahia Palma Nova at the front of the hotel - specialists in paella and fresh seafood.  Sit on the covered terrace, enjoy the views over to the beach and relax.   I have eaten at this restaurant on 3 occasions now, and cannot fault any of the food and the service has always been excellent.

If you would like us to look at a stay at the Bahia Palma Nova or another hotel in Palma Nova just give us a call or send an enquiry.

Pa amb oli - Bread with olive oil

When visiting Mallorca, one of the most popular dishes is Pa amb oli - bread with olive oil.  This can be served for breakfast, as an aperitif or between mealtimes. 

The following recipe serves 6-8 people and firstly you will need to buy:

• 8 slices of pan moreno approximately 2cm thick
• 4 tomatoes
• 1 clove of garlic [according to taste]
• best quality olive oil
• salt

Toast or bake the break and drizzle with olive oil and rub with half a tomato.  Salt, and drizzle on a little more oil.  Serve at once.    This is how pa amb oli is most commonly served, but other versions should be tried.

Pan moreno - the dark, unsalted mixed-flour bread, is the best basis for a pa amb oli.  However, there now follows the question which is much talked about by Mallorcans ... should be bread be first drizzled with olive oil and then rubbed with a sliced tomato, or should the tomato be rubbed in first and subsequently drizzled with olive oil?  Then there is the view that the first thing to come into contact with the bread should be a peeled raw clove of garlic - rubbed over the bread.    Try different variations and make up your own mind which is best.

For holidays to Mallorca - visit our website, give us a call or send an enquiry.   We have lots of options available for you.