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Silver Travel Cook Club

April 2022 – Spanish Made Simple

This month’s Silver Travel Cook Club features a recipe for Galletas de Aceite (olive oil, raisin and lemon cookies) inspired by sponsor Sovereign Luxury Travel’s Canary Islands holidays.

And you could win a copy of Spanish Made Simple: 100 Foolproof Spanish Recipes for Every Day by Omar Allibhoy.

Spanish food can be incredibly easy to make at home. In Spanish Made Simple, Omar Allibhoy, the chef behind the Tapas Revolution restaurants, guides you through the basics of 100 key Spanish dishes. All the ingredients are available from supermarkets and you don’t need to be an expert cook.

Spanish cooking is characterised by deep flavours, vibrant colour and minimal ingredients so you will learn to make a paella that packs a punch without spending hours in the kitchen, cook up a tapas feast for friends, and even whip up a delectable Spanish dessert in minutes. 

Sunny and delicious, informal and every day, Spanish cooking is for everyone, from skilled chefs to complete beginners, and Omar tells you how.

Luxury Canary Island Holidays from Sovereign

Sovereign currently have lots of special offers in the Canary Islands. The Canary Islands have been a popular option for holidaymakers since the 1960s. This volcanic Spanish island chain sits off the coast of Morocco and has been shaped by the influence of North African and European settlers and centuries of Atlantic trade. All seven islands boast dramatic scenery, with black and white sand beaches, vast sand dunes and rugged rock formations.

Holidays in the Canary Islands are about relaxation. Relax beside the pool, wander in charming villages or enjoy a world class spa treatment. You’ll find excellent options for eating and drinking in most major resorts; from hearty local fare to international cuisines. Sovereign is a leader in crafting bespoke luxury.

How about Tenerife’s fives star Iberostar Grand Hotel Salome located near Costa Adeje on the west coast? Its attractive grounds overlook the ocean and feature a range of bars and restaurants. On Lanzarote, the Princess Yaiza Suite Hotel is a dreamy jumble of domes and minarets in Playa Blanca.

Call our Silver Travel Advisors to book your next trip to the Canary Islands: 0800 412 5678.

Recipe: Galletas de Aceite (olive oil, raisin and lemon cookies)

Ingredients (serves 4)

  • 125g caster sugar
  • 100g brown sugar
  • 150 ml extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 egg
  • 100g raisins
  • ½ tsp salt
  • Grated zest of 1 lemon
  • 250g self-raising flour

Method

  1. In a big bowl, vigorously whisk both the sugars with the olive oil for 2 minutes.
  2. Add the vanilla extract and the egg and whisk for another 2 minutes.
  3. Add the raisins, salt and lemon zest.
  4. Sift over the flour and fold with a spatula for no longer than 2 minutes. The mixture will lose its fluffiness and get firmer the longer you fold it, so don’t over do it. Chill the dough in the fridge for 30 minutes.
  5. Preheat the oven to 180C/350F/gas mark 4 and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  6. Roll the chilled dough into balls the size of ping pong balls and place on the prepared baking sheet, leaving at least 10 cm (4 inches) between each one to allow for spreading.
  7. Bake for about 10 minutes if you like them soft and doughy, or 9 minutes if you prefer them crispier.

How to win a copy of Spanish Made Simple by Omar Allibhoy


Everyone has a favourite Spanish recipe; there are so many to choose from, from classic paella to tasty tortilla.

Comment below to tell us about a Spanish dish you have enjoyed and where.

A winner will be chosen in early May 2022.
The competition closes on April 30th 2022.

  1. The Cook Club is open to residents of the UK, aged 18 years or over, except employees of Silver Travel Advisor and their close relatives, partners or friends and anyone otherwise connected with the organisation of the prize draw.
  2. There is no entry fee and no purchase necessary to enter.
  3. By entering, an entrant is indicating his/her/their agreement to be bound by these terms and conditions.
  4. This competition is not in any affiliation with any other company.
  5. The prize is as stated, and no cash or other alternatives will be offered. The prize is non-transferable and is subject to availability.
  6. If a winner does not claim their prize within one week, the prize will be forfeited, and another winner will be selected.
  7. By entering each entrant accepts that the winner’s name and city of residence may be used for promotional purposes by Silver Travel Advisor.
  8. No responsibility is accepted for entries, notices, acceptances, tickets, goods or other documentation lost or delayed in the post.
  9. Winners will be solely responsible for any tax liability incurred as a result of this offer. The organisers’ decision is final, and no correspondence will be entered.
  10. Entries will be accepted until the closing date as stated.

See all of our Silver Travel Cook Club recipes.

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39 Responses

  1. Vegetarian paella in the Los Faroles restaurant in Porto Pollensa, Majorca,

  2. Large plate of iberico ham,cheese & cava , Barcelona hotel breakfast.
    Starts the day very well.

  3. I love tapas and trying different ones I’ve never had before but my favourite has to be the Spanish black pudding with almonds

  4. My favourite is Zarzuela de Mariscos , a Catalan fish stew. My favourite place to eat it is in Sant Pere Pescador in the northern Costa Brava overlooking the beach

  5. We went on a boat trip to a beautiful sandy beach where the crew fried fish in a massive round dish, they were so fresh and tasty.

  6. When I was 18 years old (many, many moons ago!) I was studying Spanish A level at school and had the opportunity to stay with a Spanish family in Granada for 2 weeks. The lady I was staying with cooked amazing home cooked food and one day she asked me if there was anything in particular I would like for dinner so I asked for paella. I wanted to try a traditional version of this Spanish classic and it was ‘muy delicioso’!

  7. While in Seville a few years ago we walked over the Puente de Triana (P. de Isabel II) to the district of Triana (famous for ceramics) along Calle Bettis, that runs alongside the river. We were looking for the buildings with tile decorated facades and wrought iron balconies that we’d heard about; we found some which were very Art Nouveau in style and absolutely beautiful. Restaurants had tables and chairs set out under a line of trees and we luckily found a free one and sat down: we managed to order a selection of tapas with help from the waiter and although I can’t remember all the lovely dishes we had I do remember my favourite – Huevos a la Flemenca (Flamenco style eggs) – slices of potato, peas, onions and peppers plus chorizo in a tomato and pimenton sauce with an egg cracked on top and baked in an earthenware dish.. A memorable lunch with glorious views of Seville across the river.

  9. My mouth is watering with all these delicious tapas suggestions ! I’ve had some delicious tapas in Granada and Seville and the Basque Country in the north. Garlic king prawns are always a winner with me but I think my overall favourite Spanish dish would be a classic paella, especially after a busy day exploring one of Spain’s stunning cities or a day hiking.

  10. My son and his family live in Barcelona and, pre pandemic, I was a regular visitor. One of our favourite barbecue dishes is calcotada. Calcots originate from a variety of scallion, milder and less bulbeous than onions. Grilled over a high heat, peeled and eaten after dipping in romesco sauce. I’m salivating at the thought and looking forward to visiting in May!

  11. Just a simple grilled Espeto de Sardinas and a glass of Albarino watching the world go by along the Benalmadena-Torremolinos paseo. Heaven.

  13. Beautifully cooked Menu Del Dia in Almeria – To start home cured cold meats with local olives, followed by fresh calamari in tempura batter with a squeeze of lemon, rustic chicken stew with vegetables from the garden add a glass of local wine & I’m in heaven.

  15. On board a CroisiEurope ship on the Douro River we stopped and made our way by coach over the border into Spain and Salamanca. That evening to celebrate, the crew set up a huge pan of Paella.

  16. I enjoyed fresh cooked fish on the island of Lanzarote in the resort of FAMARA where everything is freshly cooked for you served with local baby canary potatoes with fresh salad from the island and spicy sauce red and green. All washed down with a local wine, what a way to spend a lazy lunch watching the waves roar in.

  17. The ‘Bermondsey Bomb’ may not sound Spanish, but we enjoyed it at Pizzaro, the restaurant of acclaimed Spanish chef Jose Pizzaro in, you’ve guessed it, Bermondsey. His tapas is an ironic twist on ‘La bomba de la Barceloneta’, one of the most popular tapas in Barcelona. Jose’s bomb was made with a ball of garlicy potatoes and stuffed with spicy pork before being deep fried and served with aioli. Simple but delicious.

  18. On our cruise we did an excursion in Valencia including Tapas, both sweet and savoury. They were all intriguing and I have no head for recipes; but one stands out. It was all local ingredients, bread, cheese, marmalade and a slice of orange. Sensational! The mix of the cheese with preserved and fresh orange was unexpected and a real taste adventure.

  19. A paella in Malaga with our son and daughter in law. It was well crusted on the pan. And we were half a world away from home.

  20. Paella made freshly in a beach shack whilst we watched the sunset. Amazing memories!

  22. A wonderful black olive tapenade on either fresh or toasted bread topped with fresh anchovies at a little bar in Cancelada on the Costa del Sol.

  23. The best tapas I ever had was late at night in a small bar in Santa Ponsa, Majorca. Such a delightful mix of seafood and then the Spanish guitar music that accompanied it was the icing on the cake.

  24. I enjoyed paella in The Crown Inn in Glentham, Lincolnshire. some years ago. The landlord was Spanish and the dishes were very authentic.

  28. My favourite Spanish dish was at the beach-side restaurant, Chiringuito Gali Gali in Fuengirola – the cocinas are very moreish.

  29. Sizzling prawns in garlic was our first treat on a visit to Tenerife many years ago. Loved it ever since!

  30. Memories if a beer and free tapas in the back streets of Nerja on a great Spanish holiday

  32. Our son and his family took us to our first visit to Spain, which they knew very well, and introduced us to tapas and shared eating. We visited two places, one was a gorgeous restaurant, on the balcony looking out to sea and the dishes were of such varieties and fresh and the second was the complete opposite – a little taverna tucked away down a side street in a town which again produced a wide variety of wonderful savoury and sweet dishes to eat. This is such a fabulous way of eating where we could be introduced to Spanish traditional food and to try such a variety, not have to select one dish.

  33. It has to be the class Paella – sitting in the town of Escorial, 25 miles or so from Madrid – went to see the monastery built and lived in by Philip II. Then discover the beautiful countryside

  34. Enjoyed a wonderful array of tapas dishes whiling away the afternoon in a lovely restaurant garden in the shade of the trees in Lanzarote quite a few years ago now – it was all the better for just having discovered the place by chance – wonderful memories.

  35. I always try menu-del-dia – like to get a mix of Spanish food – in the Costa del Sol many many venues!

  36. Sopa de Mariscos in La carihuela,Costa del Sol,with the sun shining and a glass of sangria.perfecto!

  38. Freshly caught sardines with garlic and parsley. Fried and served with bread and a side salad. Sitting on the waters edge at Es Grau in Menorca on a sunny day. Simple and exquisitely delicious

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