Learning To Cook Pintxos

Very shortly after arriving in San Sebastián we had booked a "Cooking Pintxos" Class with the San Sebastián Food Company, so after all the recent tasting of so many wonderful Pintxos, we were really looking forward to this class.

So we headed off to their offices on the edge of the old town. When we got there we found out that there had been a mistake on our email...we were supposed to go to their new offices at the Hotel Maria Christina...no problems it was just a quick short walk along the river.

Here we met our lovely guide/hostess for the day, Lourdes, as well as the rest of our classmates for the day...Sissy, an Asian/Australian now living in London, Paul, a UK born journalist now living in Spain, and local girl Julene............so introductions done, we all headed off for a tour of the local market and to buy some food for the days class.

Hotel Maria Christina..Home Of San Sebastián Food

The Market With Inflatable Basque Character

Exploring The Local Farmers Stalls

The original old markets have all been closed down and replaced by a few outdoor farmers stalls, and a new underground permanent market.

One interesting butchers stall had empty shotgun cartridges in the display window....this means that if you are a licensed local hunter you can take your kill to them and they will skin and butcher it for you...never heard of that before!!

Local Hunters Butcher Shop

Lourdes took us around the market explaining all of the different fishes, meat cuts, and vegetables it was actually very interesting.

So Many Different Fish

Fresh Vegetables and Mushrooms

With ingredients in hand we all headed back to the hotel to pick up or mini bus that would take us to the town of Tolosa, the place that we would be making our Pintxos...about 30 minutes south of San Sebastián.

Walking To Our Class In Tolosa

Our Kitchen For The Next Few Hours

Here we met our chef for the day, Gregory. Originally from LA, Gregory has travelled the world cooking, working on organic farms, making wine.......and was a great character to have taking us through making Pinxtos.

Chef Gregory From LA

Colourful Kitchen

After telling us all about his experiences, Gregory sprung into action....he had prepared a Pumpkin and Coconut Soup, which he added another dimension to by blasting it out of a compressed air bottle usually used for whipping cream.........wow it was really nice. Lourdes, not to be out done, poured us some very tasty local wine wine.....Basque style...from quite a height, and did not miss the glass!!!!

Gregory's Whipped Soup

Lourdes Wine Pouring Style

Gregory and Lourdes made a great team taking us through a few cooking methods before throwing us into making our first Pintxos...The Gilda (pronounced Hilda) named after the character made famous by actress Rita Hayworth.........consisting of Anchovies, Green Guindilla Peppers and an Olive.

Caramelising The Onions

Making Our First Pintxos

Success!!

Soon Gregory and Lourdes were into full swing...telling us about Pintxos, taking us through recipes (which we have in our luggage ready to bring home and try out), showing us presentation techniques, and most importantly....tasting!!!

Yep, That's Octopus...He Has Not Hurt His Fingers

Preparing Squid

Ready For Tasting

Gregory also threw in some other Pintxos ideas like a very unusual, but very tasty Foie Gras and Fairy Floss combination.

Lesley Enjoying Tasting

Soon it was our turn to prepare Pintxos. They came up with the idea of Boys vs Girls....we were dead in the water!!! The girls burst into action grabbing ingredients left right and centre...hot plates were burning, pans were heating, ingredients were beinng prepared.......Well, at least we were enjoying the wine....Eventually we got a few ideas going ...the challenge was on.

Members of Team Evil...The Girls

The Other Member Of team Good...The Boys

Lined Up For The Judging

Gregory and Lourdes set about the tasting...we also got to taste each other's....our Pintxos were very good, nice tastes and textures....there was only one problem, the girl's were just so much more better...they won!!!

Paul Showing Gregory Why Our Pintxos Were Better

We finished of the day with day with some lovely local dessert and a local liquor....a great day had been had by all...thank you San Sebastián Foods, Gregory and Lourdes.

Preparing Dessert

Local Liquor Drink

At the end of a great fun class we headed back to San Sebastián. Back at their shop we bought a great recipe book full of classical Pintxos recipes.....going to be some great dinners when we get back home.

Later this evening we went down the road to Bodega Donostiara for a Bruschetta. What a great tasty meal...skewered meat and vegetables, cooked and well basted....then hung over am open baked potatoe that catches all of the juices...delicious!!

Well, the more we are in Spain the more we are becoming convinced that this is the place in Europe to come for good food...forget France and Italy...when it comes to great food...Spain rules!!!

 

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