Weekend In Royal Madrid

View of a tall and grand lamp post in the Palace. The Royal Palace facade and inside the Main Entrance.

On a weekend visit to Madrid a few years ago, we spent the morning visiting the Palacio Real De Madrid, the official residence of the Spanish Royal Family but only used in official State ceremonies. The Spanish Royal Family resides in Zarzuela Palace outside of Madrid. When in Madrid, never miss visiting this huge and grand palace to view the majestically decorated chambers  including the Throne Hall, the Oriental Room, the State Dining Room, all filled with works of art and fantastic furniture. Construction began in 1734 for 26 years. The gardens were designed by Francesco Sabatini. My favourite part of our visit was visiting the Spanish Armoury on the outer building on the left side of the Palace. Inside are all of the collections of the Spanish Armoury mostly from the 15th Century, considered best in the World that consist of full body armours, weapons and even armours for their horses. It is a collection not to be missed and truly amazing. 

The side facade of the Palace facing Plaza de Oriente.  Built in the Baroque and Classic style, this palace is very elegant with statues and columns built all around the facade.  On the North side is the Sabatini Gardens. 

Plaza de Oriente displays many statues of the Spanish Kings mostly from the medieval period until the 15C including the Equestrian statue of Felipe IV (above).  In Spain, it is best to just take your time and walk around. Plaza de Oriente has one of the best places to hang out to take in this majestic view. One of the  famous restaurants in Madrid Cafe de Oriente is located on this Plaza. The Cafe is elegantly decorated, serves one of the best Spanish food in the City and also has one of the best patios with this commanding view. I remember I bravely ate black squid ink Paella there with a glass of sangria. 

The Royal Guards with their horses going back to their Barracks near the Palace.

Spanish Kings from the Medieval time up to the 15th Century watching over Plaza de Oriente.  

One of my favourites during Spring time is the start of the Patio season. Here in Plaza Mayor in Madrid, everyone took advantage of the beautiful sunshine with some delicious Spanish food and drinks. Besides the Sangria, the other famous Spanish drink is the San Miguel Beer, which originated from the Philippines but  also produced locally in Spain. 

After our visit from the Royal Palace, we walked to the Mercado De San Miguel. The market is one of the best places to eat tapas, freshly made from all of the ingredients available inside. There are also Wine Bars inside to try different kinds of Spanish wines.

In the market are different varieties and sizes of Olives, the Spanish Serrano and Iberico hams and a variety of fresh seafood. We ordered some and also ate them right there in the market. There are tables and chairs available for eating inside the market.

From the market, we walked towards the Puerta del Sol, a huge plaza full of Spanish shops and more restaurants filled with locals until late in the evening. As you know, Dinner in Spain starts at 9 pm till later.  From the Puerta del Sol, we walked toward the Gran Via then back towards our hotel at The Ritz Madrid  which is located right beside the Museo del Prado. Above is a statue of Francisco Goya, one of Spain's great painters, located inside the Museo del Prado complex. But here in Spain, there is siesta after lunch, so we returned to the Hotel for our siesta...to save some energy for some Spanish feast and partying till late in the evening. Can't miss that for sure.


May you all have a relaxing weekend.

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Sweets Tour of Spain

Madrid's Plaza Mayor and display of sweets in the Patisseries around Madrid.
In Madrid there are chocolate truffle balls, yemas, almond and honey pastries and custards.

I have travelled all over Spain for many years that I just recently realised that I have accumulated a collection of  various photos of Spanish sweets and confectionery from different areas of Spain. Since I love sweets and comes from a family who loves different cuisines, I cannot resist taking a photo of these beautiful, colourful and delicious sweets displayed in Spanish Cafes and Patisseries. In my opinion, Spanish food and sweets are always under rated as Spain is always eclipsed by other European countries like the United Kingdom, France and Italy in tourism, in food, wine, shopping, culture and the arts. But when you get a chance to visit Spain, you will discover the rich and deep history of the country, its cultural heritage both Spanish and influenced by the Moors, its different geographical areas plus its variety of delicious food, wine and most of all these desserts. Come join me in a short tour of Spanish sweets from Barcelona, Madrid and to Granada in Andalusia. 

More baked sweets from Madrid. The empanada are like baked pies with fillings. The Huesos de Santos  combine the almond marzipan with sweet egg yolks in the centre. The Meringues are your common meringues made from egg whites. There are also the fried sweet honey balls called buñuelos.

Toledo

 A model of Toledo Cathedral all made from Marzipan. 

Toledo is a town near Madrid that combined the Spanish and Moorish cultures both evident in the architecture and also in the cuisine and desserts. The Moors actually brought the olive oil to Spain. Most of their fried desserts are traditionally fried in olive oil.  Toledo's speciality is Marzipan which is made from peeled, grounded almond nuts and sugar. The nuns in Toledo are the famous bakers in town. In the above picture, the nuns master skills in baking were celebrated on this display in a local Toledo patisserie.

Local Toledo sweets from Spanish cookies like the Paciencias de Anis, Vanilla wafers and Toledo's version of Yemas made from egg yolks then coated with white sugar. Yemas is the common confectionery in Spain commonly made from egg yolks. But I discovered that every city in Spain have their own versions of the Yemas. 

Segovia

View of Segovia town and Cathedral. For me, Segovia is such a romantic and beautiful town to walk around and discover its architecture. Declared by UNESCO in 1985 as a World Heritage City. Visit the huge baroque Cathedral, the Aqueduct, the Alcazar from which you will discover some Moorish architecture and also the view of the Castile countryside. Then try their famous Cochinillo Asado, a suckling pig so tenderly delicious, it melts in your mouth. 

Then for dessert,try the famous Yemas de Segovia which is on display and available all around Patisseries in the town.

Granada

In the southern City of Granada in Andalusia, hidden in these White painted buildings are more Spanish sweet delights.

We saw and tasted many different fruit tarts and palmeras covered in chocolate or just plain.

Barcelona

Here is Barcelona, in the Northern Catalan region, we discovered  abundant chocolates and different nuts in the St. Joseph Market which the local patisseries combine to make craquer (lower left photo). The local patisseries bake the chocolates whether white, milk chocolate or dark chocolates combined with usually large almond nuts to make the round cookie like shape. 

In this Barcelona patisserie, I remember seeing some ensaimadas topped with sugar and cheese (Spanish version of the French Brioche), polvorones and more yemas.

The best place to eat sweets, have some Spanish hot chocolate, teas and Spanish coffee, is Caelum, Latin for Heaven. In this Cafe, all of the sweets are heavenly produced by monks and nuns from all over Spain. Even the Menu is divided into Monastic Sweet Temptations and Monastic Sour Temptations. Caelum is located in Barcelona's Gothic quarter at De la Palla 8. Never miss visiting this place and bring home some Monastic yemas and polvorones. The polvorones are usually produced during the Christmas season. A polvoron is a crumbly shortbread made with milk, flour, sugar and grounded nuts. We consider a polvoron more as a candy like confectionery rather than a traditional shortbread cookie.

Guess what these sweets displays were made from?
A storefront display of sweet delicacies made from towels in a Kitchen Store in Barcelona.

I would like to share this best description of Spanish Sweets from Caelum Barcelona:

In the end, all the cakes and wines have a sacred air and every soul is collected in a chamber which Paracelsus called 'olfactory chamber.' Meanwhile, in monasteries are producing high quality wines with healing spirits made by wise monks that pray silently and keep their secret recipes inside the walls. And with three salves, one Our Father and the grace of a hand, a miracle which is dreamed by the Mother Superior is taken to the kitchen. Sweet pumpkin gives you blessed glory...

May you all have a sweet weekend!

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Inspiring Emerald

An Italianate Garden, Lake Como, Italy.

According to Pantone, Emerald is the colour for 2013. This is just good news as the Emerald Green  represents elegance, hope, prosperity, nourishment and a sense of well-being. That's a good start for the New Year to be more conscientious and to take care of our Environment. Here are some images to inspire us and to show the beauty of Emerald in our Environment, in Fashion, Accessories, Food, Drink and most importantly in our Homes.

"Lively. Radiant. Lush… A color of elegance and beauty                      
                        that enhances our sense of well-being, balance and harmony."
                                   - Pantone

A formal garden in the  El Escorial Palace, Madrid, Spain.

Gardens at the El  Escorial Palace, Madrid,Spain.
This year 2013 might inspire more Green gardens with a sense of formality, more structured and less flowers.

Cottage in Lake Rousseau, Muskoka, Ontario

An elegant table setting with Green Candle holders and vase.
Photo credit: Canadian House and Home Magazine

Green interiors for the home provides a sense of elegance and cosiness.
Photo credit: Elle Decor

A touch of Green. A side Chair upholstered in Green Louis Vuitton Monogram.
Photo credit: Elle Decor

Emerald tiled Bathroom.
Photo credit: Elle Decor

Asprey Croc Jewellery Box.
Photo Credit: Philippine Tatler Magazine.

An Emerald Gucci Gown. Isn't that so chic?

Reed Krakoff bag in Green.
Photo by Phil Oh

Prada in Green.
Photo credit: Tommy Ton.

Mulberry Alexa Bag in Green. 

Mulberry Bayswater Bag displayed in the Mulberry Brompton Rd. London Store.

Harrods Green. 

Vegetable Greens encourage us to eat healthy for our Well Being. 

Drinks in Green cans and bottles like the Canada Dry Ginger Ale and Perrier Sparkling Water.

Weekend Outfit:  Saint Laurent Black Wool Coat, Stripe Navy and White top and Green Cropped Pants from Joe Fresh, Green Celine Luggage Tote bag and Black leather Newbury Rag & Bone Boots.

May you all have a wonderful Weekend!

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A Blessed Merry Christmas to All!

 Holy Family "Belen" which is a Spanish tradition that Filipinos still follow.  This "Belen" shows Jesus birth, surrounded by his Parents Blessed Mother Mary, St. Joseph, the Three Kings that offered gifts of  Gold, Myrrh and Frankincense and the farmers  complete with sheep and camels.  Angels above witnessing the birth of Jesus. This is a Christmas tradition followed in our home every Christmas.





The "Belen"  in the Palacio Real, Madrid Spain showing the Birth of  Jesus Christ.
Photo credit: HOLA  Magazine

Jesus with Blessed Mother Mary and St.Joseph. The Angels Proclaim "O Come Let Us Adore Him."
Photo credit: Hola Magazine.



Wishing you all a Blessed Christmas!
It is the time of the year to Celebrate the birth of Jesus. Also important to celebrate this time with our families and dear friends.

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