'Seville for a Song' Extra-Special Promotion.

If you are planning a trip to Spain to celebrate the holidays or to bring in the New Year we have a special offer for a 3-night gastronomic stay in Seville only available during the months of December, January and February.

Day 1 - Arrival in Seville. Spend a delicious evening eating your way through 4 of the best Tapas bars in the city with your Tour Guide extraordinaire (who knows the city like the back of his hand).

Day 2  - Explore the picturesque Sierra of Aracena, a mountainous area north of Seville where the finest hams in the world are made - considered by many people to be the jewel in the crown of Spanish gastronomy. Then travel to the town of Aracena and enjoy a gourmet lunch at the best restaurant in the area. Savour the finest local produce accompanied by fine Spanish red wines.

Day 3  - Today´s excursion takes you to Sanlúcar de Barrameda, the second most important sherry town and one of the best places for fine seafood in Spain. Visit one of the bodegas (wineries) and explore the sherry-making process and savour tutored tasting of the different styles of wine. Enjoy a delicious lunch at one of the fantastic seafood restaurants and indulge in great seafood washed down with the finest manzanilla. There will be time to wander along the beach before returning to Seville.

What? 3-night gastronomic stay

When? December, January, February

Where? Seville at the 4* Petit Palace Marqués Santa Ana Hotel, located in the heart of the city centre

Why? Seville is the Tapas Capital of the World!

Price Tag? $1,205 Canadian Dollars per person based on double occupancy

How? Contact us to book now, this incredible offer is only available for a short time.

Foodie's Corner.

Recipes of the Month - Here are two delicious Tapas recipes from our very own A Taste of Seville (The Tapas Capital of the World) - they're both oh so easy to make and delicious.

Gambas Al Ajillo/Garlic Shrimp

24 shrimp, raw, large peeled

2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

3 cloves garlic, peeled, minced 

Sprinkle of red hot chili peppers

Sea salt to taste

Black pepper

Lemon Juice  Squeeze over afterwards.

Heat oil in large frying pan over medium heat.  Add the garlic first and then chili peppers second.  Once garlic just starts to brown slightly add the shrimp (a few at a time so that they don't 'boil').  Saute until the shrimp are pink - about 3 minutes and remove.  Let the pan reheat and add more shrimp.  Re-add all cooked shrimp to the frying pan, sprinkle with salt and cover immediately.  Serve with crusty bread.

Champinones Al Ajillo/Mushrooms in Garlic Sauce

5 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

5 cloves garlic peeled, minced

Sprinkle of red hot chili peppers

1 lb mushrooms, cut into thick slices

½ c sherry, dry

½ c red wine vinegar

Sea salt to taste

Black pepper

Parsley, finely chopped

Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat and add garlic and then red pepper flakes.  When garlic begins to brown, add the mushrooms all at once.  Add the sherry and vinegar and bring to a boil.  Reduce to a simmer and cook until tender but firm.  Add salt to draw the moisture out, add black pepper to taste, sprinkle with chopped parsley and serve. Serve with crusty bread for dipping!

Uncorked.

Gourmet Olive Oil -This month we thought we'd uncork olive oil, 'liquid gold.'

Now this may come as a shock, but the Italians do not own the recipe rights to olive oil. Olive oil is not just one flavor from one country. Olives are grown all over the world, with Spain being the largest producer of olives and olive oil.  Spain produces 30% of the world's olive oil and the Spaniards are very proud of the 'liquid gold'.  The majority of its olive oil is exported to Italy (to replace the oil that Italy exports to the world)! 

Here are a few pointers so that you can have your own Olive Oil Tasting party (a slick excuse for a party)!
All olive oils are different and each one, like good wine, has a unique flavour profile. Each region and each grower produces olive oils with unique character and appeal owing to soil, climate and type of olive. With so many olive oils on gourmet and supermarket shelves, a good and curious cook might want to compare various types and try to identify their characteristics in order to be able to make informed decisions about which olive oils are best for cooking, salads, drizzling on dishes or just dunking with bread. Olive oil is paired with food as wine is.

DIY Olive Oil Tasting Party...the latest trend in food tasting parties.
An olive oil tasting is conducted much like a wine tasting.

Olive oil is served neat in small cups or small saucers (5-7 olive oils from different countries).

Observe the clarity and color of the oils. Hues ranged from golden and greenish golden to grassy green.

Warm the cup of oil between your palms and breathe in its aroma picking up nuances.

Vigorously suck air through the oil while in the mouth and savour the flavour or dip bread cubes.

You don't have to swallow it, you can spit it out.

Set out palate cleansers, slices of green apple, water and cubes of country bread are all you need.

Four general taste categories cover the flavors of most olive oils - Mild and buttery, Fruity and spicy, Fruity and peppery, Full-bodied and earthy.

Take a Gourmet Safari 'Test Drive'

If you are in Toronto, Canada in October or November 2006 we invite you to test drive a culinary travel food adventure with us to Morocco and Spain. 

Moroccan cuisine is absolutely delicious with its exotic and alluring flavours.  Worlds away from ours, the country and culture has such mystique attached to it and we'd love to take you there on one of our newly launched culinary vacations. You will also 'travel' to Spain - the Mediterranean's culinary and wine star! 

Imagine learning how to cook with a Chef at a villa in a stunning oasis just outside of Marrakech, or rubbing elbows with an amazing Cook at a 4th generation family home of stone in Catalonia - the heart of the foremost red wine & olive producing region of Spain.  We'll take you closer to these 2 countries, and teach you HOW to make several authentic recipes.  The dishes will be paired with wines selected by a LCBO (Liquor Control Board of Ontario) Product Consultant.  One person will receive a Culinary Discovery Gift Certificate valued at $100 CAD off of the purchase price of a Gourmet Safari culinary vacation or cooking class.

Interested?  Contact us or pick up the LCBO Educational Program Guide - Autumn 2006 where you'll see the listing.  Come out for a drive!

Where? The following LCBO locations:

Kingsway - Thurs Oct 12th

Burlington - Tues Oct 17th

Maple - Mon Oct 30th

Summerhill - Thurs Nov 2nd

Bayview - Tues Nov 7th

Time? 6:30 - 8pm

Cost? Just $35 CAD to experience your own Gourmet Safari 'Test Drive' with fine foods and fine wines.

 

AND we are also featuring a Gourmet Safari Test Drive on Tues Oct 3rd at Viva Tastings, click here for further details. 

Gourmet Safari to Morocco Charity Event.
An exotic evening of magnificent food and culture in support of child nutrition programs.

The Gourmet Safari to Morocco charity event took off on September 10th. Guests travelled first-class and savoured sumptuous food as they experienced the 'cities' of Morocco whilst travelling from room to room and tent to tent. Moroccan Ground Beef 'Cigars' and Briwats, Vine Leaves and Hummus with Pita bread were served in Rick's Café. The spicy delight of the "tajine," savoury salads and couscous in the Marrakech Room. Barbequed Kebobs on the Nomad Deck, and finally Moroccan Mint Tea and pastries in the Sultan's Garden. A good time was had by all on our Moroccan food adventure and funds raised, thanks to the generous travellers, will ultimately provide nutritious meals to Canada's children. Thank you to those who came.

 

Win a Gourmet Safari for 2 in Italy!

It will be an experience of a lifetime...Satisfy your taste buds with real Italian Restaurant taste. 

 

CTV Television Inc. and Dr. Oetker Ltd. are holding a Ristorante Pizza - Real Italian Restaurant Taste Contest from September 11th to October 8th, 2006.  The grand prize is Gourmet Safari's week long Florence Cuisine & Culture culinary vacation for two. Watch CTV to view the contest spot, and to enter the Contest simply visit the Contest page by clicking here and submit your entry.

 

Buen Viaje y Buen Apetito!

To find out more about any of our culinary vacations please feel free to call me at 416.238.9987 (Toronto) or 1.800.839.5795 (in North America).  Email works well too at jackie@gourmetsafari.com.

Gastronomically, Jackie

Gourmet Safari supports BREAKFAST FOR LEARNING - proceeds from every culinary vacation go to this special charity.

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