Ronda Today

Albóndigas Claras (“Pale” Meatballs)

March 13, 2023 by Clive Muir

Pork has been a fundamental part of Andalucian cuisine for over six centuries, and it gained even greater significance during times of religious intolerance. When Jewish and Arabic people were expelled from Spain, Christians aimed to cultivate a cuisine that would be deemed offensive to the “infidels” who chose to stay. Fortunately, we now live in more tolerant times, and we can appreciate our culinary heritage with a clear conscience.

Albóndigas provide a quick and practical way to use up leftover family joint. Today, we can simply request minced pork from our local butcher, but in Andalucia’s recent past, before refrigeration and when religious observation forbade meat consumption on certain days, there had to be an efficient way of cooking up the last of the leg of pork – and albóndigas were the perfect solution!

Albondigas – Spanish Meatballs in Tomato Sauce – Classic Recipe

March 13, 2023 by Clive Muir

Albondigas can be found in almost every tapas bar in Ronda (and Spain) throughout the year, and are typically served piping hot, but cool down remarkably quickly outside of the pot. Albondigas – Spanish Meatballs in Tomato Sauce are available in almost all bars and they will have their own slightly different recipe.

Generally there are two types of sauce the meatballs are cooked in, the rich red tomato sauce, and the gravy style pale garlic sauce albondigas claras. It is important to realise that the words ‘tomato sauce’ do not do justice to the flavour of the sauce, this is not “ketchup”, it is a delicious tomato and olive oil based sauce that is quite unique to this recipe.

Gazpacho Andaluz

March 13, 2023 by Clive Muir

Gazpacho Andaluz is a cold soup that originates from the Andalusia region of southern Spain. It is typically made with a blend of ripe tomatoes, cucumber, green peppers, onion, garlic, and stale bread that is soaked in water. The soup is then seasoned with olive oil, vinegar, and salt, and can be garnished with chopped vegetables or croutons.

Gazpacho Andaluz is a refreshing dish that is perfect for hot summer days and is often served as a starter or appetizer. It is also a popular dish outside of Spain, and variations of the recipe can be found in many different countries.

Discover Juzcar

March 11, 2023 by Clive Muir

Deep in the green Genal Valley, but only a few kilometres from Ronda, lies the tiny village of Júzcar, almost invisible as the valley roads twist and turn along the length of the Genal River. Juzcar is small, and easily walked around in less than 30 minutes, you could blink and miss this little inland Andalucia village, but don’t or you’ll really kick yourself later.

A little bit about Juzcar. It really is blue? and Smurfs live there?

Juzcar is a small village located in the province of Malaga in Andalusia, southern Spain. It gained international fame in 2011 when it was painted blue for the promotion of the Smurfs movie. The village was chosen by Sony Pictures to celebrate the world premiere of the movie, and as part of the promotion, all the buildings in the village were painted blue, making it look like a real-life Smurf village.

The village was originally a traditional white Andalusian town, but after the success of the Smurf movie promotion, the residents of Juzcar voted to keep the blue color as a tribute to the famous blue cartoon characters. The blue paint used was eco-friendly and made with natural pigments, and it has become a tourist attraction ever since.

Natillas – A tasty Andalucian dessert

March 11, 2023 by Clive Muir

Natillas, a delicious dessert that is very popular in Ronda and everywhere else in Andalusia. Natillas is a sweet custard-like dessert that is typically made with milk, sugar, eggs, cinnamon, and lemon zest. The mixture is heated on the stove until it thickens, and then it is poured into individual serving dishes to cool and set.

Natillas can be served plain or with a variety of toppings, such as whipped cream, merengue, a biscuit, fresh fruit, or a sprinkle of cinnamon. Some variations of natillas also include a splash of sherry or brandy to give it an extra kick.

Natillas has a long history in Andalusian cuisine and is a staple dessert in many households and restaurants. It is often served during special occasions, such as holidays or family gatherings, but it is also a popular dessert for everyday meals.

In addition to its delicious taste, natillas is also a relatively simple dessert to make, which makes it a favorite among home cooks. It is a comforting and satisfying dessert that is sure to please anyone with a sweet tooth.