Food & Drink News ~ The search is on for the best sardines in M�laga

There are many things associated with the Costa del Sol, but one of them has to be it�s chiringuitos which serve the wonderful sardines cooked over the aromatic olive wood and enjoyed with a glass of tinto de verano.

 

This year is the first year for the Ruta del espeto competition, which takes place from the 26th May to 11th June. The aim of the contest is to find the best sardines espeto (sardines on skewers) in M�laga province. Over a 100 chiringutos and restaurants along the coast are taking part. The event has been organised by Diario SUR in colaboration with La Casera, famous for it�s ready made tinto de verano. Each participant will serve sardines espeto, which range from �4 to �7 along with a complementary glass of La Casera tinto de verano.  Diners can then rate the restaurants from one to 10 on the Ruta del espeto website between 26 May and 11 June. Their entry automatically  puts them into raffle which offers a three-day romantic holiday as its prize.

There will also be Professional food critics who will judge the restaurants based on the quality of their barbecues and, of course, the flavour of their sardines.

For more information on entering the competition visit www.rutadelespeto.es

Beirut Cafe Fuengirola ~ The best Lebanese food we have sampled in the province

The Beirut Cafe offers great Lebanese food, probably the best in Fuengirola and maybe even the whole of the province.

"... the mezza and the quality and variety here is second to none"

The set menu for a first visit gives you a good feel for the rest of the cuisine ~ however, our yardstick for any Lebanese Restaurant is the mezza and the quality and variety here is second to none and would be our recommendation if you are in doubt what to order - having said this the helpful staff here will happily guide you through the menu with their suggestions to match your palate. This is truly a vibrant and interesting restaurant and certainly one we will be visiting many times over.

At a Glance
Price Range: From �10 per head
Dress Code: Smart Casual
Ambiance: Casual/Family Friendly

Beirut Cafe
Avenida Ramon y Cajal 31 Fuengirola, M�laga, 29640
Opening Hours: Open Daily 12pm - 12am
Tel: 637 600 476
Find Them: Google Maps
More at: Beirut Cafe

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Food & Drink ~ M�laga province shines as the food hub for southern Spain

M�laga, is the food hub of southern Spain, in terms of produce and dining. Andaluc�a produces half of the world's olive oil, and most of it ends up being exported to Italy for bottling as Italian extra virgin. Andaluc�a has the best goat-breeders in Europe and unbelievably the French take 95% of the milk to make their cheeses. However, M�laga does keep it�s amazing sardines and anchovies and awesome shellfish. it also produces tropical fruits like mango and avocado and wonderful cane honey the last to be produced in Europe.

"M�laga, is the food hub of southern Spain..."

The landscape is very dry and steep and excellent for growing grapes for wine. It is the only region in Spain that produces red, white, ros�, dessert wines and sherries. Until recently, Andaluc�ans were almost ashamed to talk about their cuisine and offer it to visitors and it buried the old recipes, which they associated with the past, and with being poor. They have come to realise that this cuisine is part of their identity, their culture and their stunning landscape. These days many of the finest restaurants in the M�laga province offer the age old traditional recipes that use seasonal produce, which are a hit with locals and tourists alike.

Namaste Fusion Fuengirola ~ A true Taste of India with a twist

A true taste of India with a twist! There are Indian Restaurants and, there are Indian Restaurants and a trip to the Namaste Fusion will definitely not disappoint. Our recent visit was a joy and hosts Ravi & Anna made us feel extremely welcome. Namaste Fusion is a testament to their hard work and from our experience it is rare for any restaurant in Fuengirola or anywhere on the Costa to be so busy, as it was, at this time of the year.

" A traditional Indian with a twist "

We opted for a �tasting� menu to sample as much as possible from the varied and interesting menu. Our starters were an eye opener, beautifully presented, light, fresh and extremely moreish; accompanied by some of the nicest complimentary pickles we have had anywhere in Spain, thick raita and mango chutney and a tomato & onion relish which certainly packed a punch. For us a real highlights were the Vegetable Pakoras followed by the Chef�s Special ~ Chicken Malabar.

Can�t praise Namaste Fusion highly enough, great atmosphere, customer service and of course food and scores a well-deserved 8.0!

At a Glance
Price Range: From �15 per head
Dress Code: Smart Casual
Ambiance: Casual/Family Friendly

Namaste Fusion
Calle Gral. Rodrigo, 4, Fuengirola, M�laga, 29640
Opening Hours: Tues - Thurs 6.30 - 11.30 | Fri - Sun 1.00 -4.30 & 6.30 - 11.30
Tel: 952 637 181
Find Them: Google Maps
More at: Namaste Fusion

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Food & Drink ~ Olive oil the essential ingredient of the Mediterranean diet

In Spain, where olive oil is such an essential ingredient, like all over the Mediterranean, absolutely everything gets fried in this precious commodity Some of the tastiest Spanish cooking includes; crackling fried anchovies, crispy croquettes, and golden fried potatoes. Foods cooked in olive oil absorb less oil than if fried in other oils, this means that the oil goes further and makes the fried food less greasy. After all olive oil is an essential part of the authentic Spanish flavour.

" ...the essential ingredient of the Mediterranean diet "

Fish or chicken need to be lightly coated in flour or some kind of light batter, but starchy foods like potatoes don�t need any coating.To fry in olive oil the ideal temperature needs to be 180�C / 360�F. The oil will be hot, but not smoking. At this temperature a crust forms around the food so the oil doesn�t saturate the food and also means it doesn't brown too quickly, allowing the interior of the food to cook thoroughly. Ideally cook the food in small batches to ensure that it is all cooked through and evenly.

Food & Drink News ~ Hosbec fights back at bogus food poisoning claims

Hosbec, the Benidorm hotel association is spearheading a fight-back against tourists making false claims that they suffered from food poisoning. Although British tourists are being highlighted, they are not the only ones responsible.

" the �scam� has reached epidemic proportions "

The Association's President, Antonio Mayor is quoted  as saying that the �scam� has reached epidemic proportions and says that not only the Costa Blanca is suffering ~ he is demanding that tourists should have to produce a formal prescription to prove that claims are genuine and has blamed the increase in no win~no fee lawyers who are have been running workshops on how to claim for food poisoning.