Looking through my mail the other day, I noticed a large green envelope all the way from Spain. Nuria, from Spanish Recipes had sent me a batch of Spanish Acorn ham. The gift was her way of saying thanks for some blog traffic I had sent her way! I was touched by her wonderful generosity and kind spirit and for sending me some of this “Spanish Gold”. Yes, it was pure heaven. Nuria, I just want to say a very big “GRACIAS” and I send you many besos from Down Under! I still believe the foodie blogging community is one of the best and most generous. I recommend you all head on over to Nuria’s blog, “Spanish Recipes” and check out some of her wonderful recipes that she cooks up in her home in Barcelona. You will not be disappointed at all!
Once the Xmas overeating hysteria had died down, I got thinking about what I was going to do with this beautiful jamon. I wanted to treat this beauty with the utmost care and respect it deserves. Nuria had suggested I serve it with “pan amb tomaquet”, the famous Catalonian dish of freshly squeezed tomatoes on crusty bread. And that’s what exactly I did! I made a little tapas selection with some black Spanish olives and enjoyed it all with a crisp chardonnay during this very warm post Xmas period.
Let’s see. Bread, garlic, olive oil, freshly picked tomatoes, olives, salt and jamon. I was in foodie heaven. I took small bites enjoying the rich full flavour of the Spanish ham savouring every moment. The “pan amb tomaquet” or tomato bread requires some good crusty bread at least a few days old. Slice it thickly and if you’re lucky to have a char grill, grill it for a few mins on each side until it’s nicely toasted. (if you don’t have one like me, use a grillpan on the stove). Once the bread has been cooked and it’s still warm, rub some fresh garlic cloves over it ensuring the flavour of the garlic permeates. Grab a cut tomato and proceed to squeeze and rub it all over the bread ensuring the pulp covers the bread. Sprinkle some sea salt and drizzle some extra virgin olive oil over it. Serve with Spanish Jamon and some black olives. Easy!
Thank you again Nuria! The tapas was sensational….I hope I did this justice.
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{ 27 comments… read them below or add one }
Nuria sent me some acorn ham some months ago and I also made pan amb tomaquet and it is a great tapas. The blogging community is indeed the best and Nuria is such a darling.
These look lovely. I think I want to try a lot more Spanish cooking this year. With all of Nuria’s lovely recipes, I think it’s possible!
What a nice surprise for you in the Christmas mail! You did it justice – the salt of the ham, the sweet of the tomatoes, bread and wine – nothing better!
spanish acorn ham – sounds fantastic!
Pete, if I could source good tomatoes this time of year…I’d follow your steps with the jamon Nuria gave me as well.
Hope you’re having a restful and fun Christmas holiday.
This jam looks fantastic! With tomatoes and a good oil it’s fantastic!
Ohhhh, I’m so jealous! That Nuria is a nice lady.
I bet the ham was absolutely scumptious.
I should change this to my proper name on here. Emiline is my nickname.
Nuria sent me some of this delicious acorn ham for our wedding, and it was wonderful! Beautiful photos as always!
That ham looks amazing! It’s really good to have foodie friends in faraway places.
One lucky sausage you!
I still have a few treasured slices of Iberian Acorn ham left. This would be an exceptionally delicious way to use up the last few tender morsels!!
Looks and sounds really yummy! Just wonder how did the ham go through the mail with the stringent quanrantine laws in Aus?
here’s wishing you and your family a wonderful 2009, dear peter.
Nuria is so sweet! So glad you enjoyed the ham, but I’ll tell you, the Spanish know food and know how to eat well! I loved my few visits there. Food always a main attraction. Your tapa looks delish, even tho it’s something I wouldn’t eat!
Hope you had a great Christmas!
Those tomatoes look so ripe! Have a great NYE Peter. See you in 09!
I love Iberico ham so much! What a wonderful thing for Nuria to do! I love your simple way of eating it, to highlight the deliciousness of the ham. Have a safe & happy NYE Peter!
Oh! I love those nifty little surprises… and that ham looks fantastic. Great work, Peter!
That sounds wonderful Peter! I think I might have some ham in the fridge that would go really well… hmm, might be something nice to make for tomorrow! Have a good newyears!!
Simone
the settings and styles are adored so much, P. i love the lights just dropped on some lines there, beautiful!
Fantastic Peter, what a great gesture from Nuria! I love bread and tomato Spanish style. Have a Happy new year!
What a great surprise! And it looks like you wasted no time putting it to extremely good use. Hope you had a wonderful holiday season. Have a happy and very healthy New Year Peter!
How lovely. Happy New Year Peter, I hope 2009 is the best year ever! xo, carol
Peter -
Wonderful food and wonderful blog! We have a culturally mixed home as well as love to travel, and I agree whoelheartedly that culture is both discovered and expressed through food. We recently spent a vacation in Basque Country and I discovered Tapas and went crazy! But then, I love food!
I look forward to visiting your food world here often! Cheers! and Happy New Year!
I am so touched by Nuria’s generosity. What a lovely gesture, and what a lovely creation on your end, Peter. Happy New Year, my friend!
What a great gift! The bread sounds simple and delicious I can’t wait till tomatoes are back in season here.
You couldn’t make more justice Peter!!!!!! A fantastic tapas set
. Pan con tomate (spanish) or Pa amb tomàquet (catalan) is the best companion… si señor!!!!
You cannot imagine how happy it makes me that you enjoy and appreciate the gift! If I were rich enough I would send you the whole leg ;D
I’m back to stay, chico!