SPANISH COOKING ADVENTURE IN ANDALUCIA
with Kim Schiffer and Peggy Markel
October 20-28, 2011

In the Alpujarras mountains of Spain, in the village of Ferreirola, lies the beautiful country house and retreat center of Casa Ana. On this culinary adventure we invite you to celebrate the abundance of the harvest. We will gather herbs on mountain walks, harvest vegetables from the garden, cook wild asparagus in casuelas, make authentic paella, feast on tapas, make romesco sauce for spring onions, roast a seven hour lamb w/pistachio pesto, taste wonderful Spanish wines.
We’ll explore the culture of Andalucia with visits to the fabulous fruit and vegetable market in Malaga and in the bodegas of the Sierra Nevada mountain villages. Lastly, we will spend two days in the historic city of Granada including a visit to the fabled Alhambra Palace.

The Detailed Program
Note that guests arrive on 10/19 and spend one evening at a hotel of their choosing in Malaga. The program begins the next morning, on 10/20. 

DAY ONE: Mercado, Museum, and Trek to Alpujarras destination of Casa Ana.

Morning: You will meet Kim Schiffer and Peggy Markel, your chefs and cooking teachers and Anne Hunt, owner of Casa Ana. They will be your guides around the fabulous Malaga market where you will buy fruit and vegetables, meats and fish for the program.
Afternoon: Malaga was the birthplace of the great artist Pablo Picasso. We’ll visit the Picasso Museum, an old palace that houses a permanent collection of his work.
From there, we’ll take the scenic drive along the coast then up into the mountains to Casa Ana. We will stop in a seaside village for a taste of local seafood along the Mediterranean first.

DAY TWO: Hike and Afternoon Baking Class

In the morning Anne will take you through the almond groves to a hidden natural spring where we can collect pure mountain drinking water. We will also have our first glimpse of the ancient terraces and mule paths, built centuries ago by the Moors, and the traditional village threshing grounds that dot the hillsides.

We will have lunch at Casa Ana and in the afternoon. Kim and Peggy will teach a baking class with culinary treats such as Almond-Olive Oil Cake w/Candies Kumquats and Tangerines, Port Scented Flan and Anise Cookies.
Dinner at Casa Ana.

DAY THREE: Cooking Class

In the morning, Kim and Peggy will give a short demonstration cooking class making food we will serve at lunch.
In the afternoon chefs and students will prepare a sumptuous Spanish dinner. Seasonal specialties might include Chicken w/Saffron, Peppers w/Maldon Salt, Albondigas with Almonds Sauce, Cheesecake w/Pine Nut Glaze.

DAY FOUR: Herb Walk and Cooking Class

In the morning, renowned herbologist Julio Donat will take us into the mountains to pick wild herb for our cooking. He will also tell us about the uses of herbs in traditional medicine.

In the afternoon we will cook an exciting variety of Tapas.




DAY FIVE: Field Trip and Picnic

In the morning we will go to the village of Pampaneira in the Poqueira Valley. We will visit the wonderful bodegas there to sample the local cheeses, fortified wines and Jamon Serrano for which the area is famous. From Pampaneira we will take a picnic lunch to the beautiful Poqueira River gorge. Lunch could include a Fig and Walnut Tapenade with cheese and local bread, Two Bean and Olive Salad, and an Almond Torte.
Dinner at Casa Ana.

DAY SIX: Cooking class

A free morning or come with Anne on a two-hour hike.
In the afternoon, Francsco Lillo will take you out onto the terrace to cook the perfect paella on an open fire. We will sample traditional side dishes as well. After dinner we will relax to the beautiful music of flamenco guitar under the stars. Live performance.

DAY SEVEN: Granada, Hammam and Francisco’s Bodega

After breakfast we will leave Casa Ana and travel to Granada. We will check into our hotel, shop and explore and meet in the afternoon at the traditional Arab Baths. As we soak in the relaxing hot baths, we are soothed by the scent of neroli oil and soft Andalous style music.
In the evening, Francisco Lillo invites us to dinner at his bodega, ‘La Oliva,’ with an opportunity to sample a wonderful range of gourmet delicacies, olive oils, cheeses and wine.

DAY EIGHT: Alhambra and Wine Tasting

After breakfast we will head to the fabulous 13th century Alhambra (Red Castle); the last stronghold of the Moorish rulers in Spain, with its palaces, fountains, shady courtyards and gardens- a feast for the soul and one of the wonders of the world.
We will have lunch nearby. There will be time to explore the old city of Granada with its shops and squares, cathedral and Moroccan quarter.

In the afternoon we will visit La Carte des Vinsbodega where Juan Antonio Barato will offer a wine tasting with great wines from several regions of Spain.
Our last meal together we will celebrate at a local tapas bar.

DAY NINE: Departure Day
We will provide transportation in the morning to Malaga. Drive time approximately 90 minutes from Granda to Malaga.

PRICES
Price: EUR 2,975 including accommodations (based on sharing a room with one other person), meals and wines, tuition, excursions and airpot transfers.

The price does not include: flights, airport transfer on arrival day, hotel or dinner on arrival day. Single accommodations are available for a supplement- please contact us for prices. Numbers will be limited to 12 so don’t hesitate to sign up!

HOW TO BOOK
To book a place on any of our cooking holidays or for more information contact:

Peggy at Peggy Markel’s Culinary Adventures at peggy@peggymarkel.com Or Kim at kimschiffer09@gmail.com.

Consider dovetailing your Spain trip with Morocco.
This year they are back to back!
Spain October 21-28.
Morocco October 31-7 November.
www.peggymarkel.com/morocco