DECEMBER 21, 2012 END OF THE WORLD SUNRISE ON CUMBRE DEL SOL

CHRISTMAS ON THE COSTA BLANCA

CUMBRE DEL SOL

A GRAND DECEMBER DAY IN DENIA

Never get tired of this view of Cumbre del Sol ;)

EARLY MORNING BEE ON CUMBRE DEL SOL

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SPANISH GARBANZO LOAF

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Living on the Costa Blanca means learning to cook with the ingredients at hand. If you are spending any time here, holidays or snowbirding, you many want to do your own cooking. Why not try this recipe?

One of my favourite places to food shop is a supermarket called Mercadona. They have their own branded products which are generally a lot less expensive than other brands. Their supermarket brand is called Hacendado. They have the pre-soaked chickpea in a glass jar and the spices you will need for this recipe.

My Spanish Garbanzo loaf is easy to make and can be a side dish, picnic favourite or we like it with a spread of low fat cream cheese on top and a salad for lunch or dinner.

Enjoy, Karla Darocas

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INGREDIENTS: 6 servings

•570 g. - 1 jar of pre-soaked chickpeas

•3 large spoonfuls of perejil - parsley, dried

•1 Large onion, chopped 

•6 or more garlic cloves, chopped

click on photo to enlarge1 small red pepper chopped

•4 large mushrooms chopped

•3 Large eggs

•1/4 cup of olive oil

•2 teaspoons of baking powder

•1 1/2  teaspoon of cúcuma - cumin

•1 teaspoon of jengibre - ginger

•1 teaspoon of salt

METHOD:

1.Chop all your veggies and place in a bowl and cook in the microwave for 15 minutes on high until all the water is gone from the veggies and they are soft.

2. Add the chickpeas (make sure you rinse them well first)

3. Add your spices, eggs, oil and baking powder

4. Blend till mixture is smooth and all the ingredients are well combined; transfer to a loaf pan

5. .Bake at 210C oven for 45 minutes or until a knife inserted in the loaf comes out dry. 

Let stand and serve at room temperature or cold from the fridge - either way... it really melts in your mouth!

xx

SUPER RESTAURANT WITH A SUPER VIEW

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We really enjoyed our night out with our visitor at the Mirador Restaurante Bar Attico. We had been told by friends that this landmark Jávea Port restaurant, sitting on top of the Jávea Hotel, was now under new management. Our friends had been very impressed by the food and service, so we decided to give it a try.


It was adorable!! The dining room is very quaint, comfortable and white. The views were breath taking, stretching out over the Jávea Port and around the horseshoe shaped bay.

We decided on their Menu of the Evening but we added to the starters with a big bowl of mussels to share. We also had a gin and tonic cocktail that was larger and stronger than we expected.

The food was prepared and presented with flare. It was all very easy to enjoy. The new manager was floating around asking everyone if they were enjoying their meals. I asked him if he would pose for a photo and he was not shy.

As night approached, the lights of the Port, the streets and the bay were spectacular. To have the sunset during the starters and the glowing lights during dessert was an entire experience.

When we left, he gave us some business cards with hand written offers of free drinks and tapas if we tell our friends or if we would like to come back. We will go back, as soon as we have another visitor to impress and have some fun with!

DOWNTOWN DÉNIA OFFERS FABULOUS FISH BBQ

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When the beach areas are bounding with tourists, we like to escape the lunch crowds by visiting the older parts of different regional towns.

Dénia has a really lovely old town and parking is so easy and cheap at the public underground lot.

Since Dénia is a famous fishing port, you would think that finding a fish restaurant would be simple - no so!

On first view, Bar Dianense Diego is all rice. Well, do not let the big sign out front fool. This family run business does not have anything fancy about it. The interior is as plain as the exterior. However, for a fresh bbq fish feast, it is the place to be.

Diego also boasts the only place that creates a unique chopitos surprise with herbs and garlic. And, on the side, you can never go wrong with a variety of fresh veggies "a la plancha" - grilled to perfection.

All of this freshness and flavour comes in at a very reasonable price too!

TRIP TO La Bodega del Garroferal - the home of PETER ARNOLD WINES

We visited a lovely couple of entrepreneurs out in Murla, Alicante who have a running bodega and offer a tour of their vines and wine cellar = followed by wine tasting of their own brands and tapas = yummy!! Thank you to Helen and Peter Arnold for their hospitality and sharing some great stories and friendship. xx

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FILMS SHOT IN DÉNIA

The starting point of the Film Route in Dénia is a building built on a former movie theatre, it's La Rosaleda. This is the first of the thirteen stops you will visit if you join the adventure to discover the city through their film locations.

El Muelle del Martell would be the following itinerary, next to the Tinglados (sheds), where they have reconstructed historical scenes like the murder of the Buckingham Duke (1628). The author of Quixote, Miguel de Cervantes, was also in Dénia. In fact, he landed in the city after spending seven years in captivity in Algiers. In 1966 was filmed the international production Cervantes which chose the marina of Dénia as setting for some scenes. The current Raset terraces also served as locations for the filming of The Three Musketeers (1973) and The Four Musketeers (1974).

In 2000, the director Bigas Luna recreated in the capital of the Marina Alta the Mediterranean world of the writer Manuel Vicent with the adaptation of the novel Sueño de Mar. And Placeta of San Antoni became a town in Scotland for the Captain Jones. Of course, the Castle of Dénia has made appearances on the cinema in both panoramic views and inside the castle. In Amanece como puedas (1987) and Sea Dream (2000), the castle is an element of the landscape. The City Hall, the Plaza de la Constitución, Cop and Marques de Campo streets, and the Plaza del Convento have also been shown in international films.

JULY 1ST LIFE IN JAVEA PORT

FOOTBALL FEVER IN JAVEA PORT AND BEACH * IT IS THE BIG DAY!

EARLY MORNING BEACH LIFE IN CUMBRE DEL SOL * PLAYA MORAIG

EARLY MORNING BEACH LIFE IN CALPE

We went for breakfast on the beach in Calpe and discovered it teaming with yoga, walkers and even swimmers. xx

FOOTBALL FEVER IN CALPE

JAVEA BEACH LIFE & BREAKFAST

BEACH LIFE AT EL PORTET * MORAIRA

We have Thai Massage women roaming the beach this year offering a full workout on the upper body for just 10 euros. Many of the seniors were taking these strong women up on their offer and stripping down to get a deep massage. In the photo on the left, you can see the energy radiating from the Thai women's head as she works on her clients neck.

COSTA BLANCA WOMEN ARTISTS FEATURED AT DIAMOND JUBILEE TEA PARTY



Three of the Costa Blanca’s most popular regional artists have been invited to present their art works at a Diamond Jubilee Tea Party in honour of the Queens’ special day.

Saturday 2nd of June at 3:30pm will be marked with a grand Tea Party with all the trimmings including an assortment of sandwiches and quiches, delicious scones and jam, bread pudding and Bakewell tart.

There will be an outdoor artist’s courtyard with umbrellas for visitors to come and meet these Costa Blanca artists.

Sheryl Pape is from Javea and works with bright colours and fantasy figures and flowers, which bring joy to all who view them.

Patricia Ropohl is from Benissa and has worked and experimented within a myriad of art forms including graphic design, furniture design, sculpture, ceramics, illustration and painting.

Karla Darocas is from Benitachell and enjoys painting the wondrous landscapes that are all around her on the Costa Blanca

There will also be a contest for creative people who wish to design a mad hat and wear it on the day.

This event is happening in the Les Fonts urbanization between Javea and Benitachell at Tasca Les Fonts Tavern and Restaurant.

More Info & To Reserve a Tea Table: 609 477 476
http://www.tascalesfonts.com/

VISIT TO THE MARNES IRIS MECCA

A short drive up into the top of a mountain behind Benissa is the magical Iris gardens of Marnes.