Monday, December 21, 2015

When The Cat's Away, The Mouse Will Eat Tostadas

I'm finally getting out and about again... a bit. So, this morning San Geraldo had the pleasure of my company when he went out for coffee. We went to La Esquinita. Nestor (the bartender) said in Spanish, "Good morning," and then to San Geraldo, "The usual? Toast with butter and marmalade?"

Obviously, he had San Geraldo confused with someone else. The usual for us is simply cafe con leche. San Geraldo would never undo his healthy at-home breakfast by having a tostada, butter, and marmalade.

I began to say, "no," when I looked in San Geraldo's direction. The guilt was written all over his face. I indicated to Nestor that San Geraldo had just been busted. He laughed, apologised to San Geraldo for letting the cat out of the bag, and then prepared the tostada.

A TOSTADA — ON A LARGE DINNER PLATE.

In Spain, a tostada (which simply means "toast") is usually a loaf of bread sliced length-wise and then topped with something. My favourite is Iberian ham, olive oil, and a traditional tomato/garlic spread. San Geraldo's favourite (that he apparently had any day he went to La Esquinita without me) is butter and marmalade.

Marina (click here) then asked if we had ever had manteca colorá. We hadn't.

MANTECA COLORÁ (LOOK AWAY IF YOU'RE VEGAN OR WATCHING YOUR CHOLESTEROL).

"It's delicious and very Andalusian," she said as she pointed to my iPad and I looked it up.

Well, "manteca" is "lard." Manteca colorá (short for colorada) is "red lard," which is prepared by adding spices like bay leaf, oregano, and paprika and then cooking it with finely chopped pieces of pork. Marina brought us a bowl and then toasted some [more] bread.

It's popular as a breakfast dish. I had a taste and thought it was delicious. San Geraldo liked it, but didn't find it very appetising for breakfast.

The last time we were together at La Esquinita was shortly after I had written my blog post about Marina (and not taking Spanish lessons from her). When we arrived that next time, she ran out the door, returning a few minutes later with a beautiful poinsettia with a hand-written note attached. She placed it on our table, gave me a kiss on each cheek, and ran off. She made my day (again).

"ONLY A PERSON WITH A GOOD HEART
CAN DEDICATE SUCH BEAUTIFUL WORDS.
MANY THANKS. MARINA."

People like Marina make my heart 'more good.'

18 comments:

  1. And your heart is already really good, Mitchell. Add to it Marina, and lard, you've the best darn heart of anyone I know.

    Thanks for your loving words on my blog too.
    Hugs.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Robyn:
      Thank YOU. Sending you love and very sweet memories.

      Delete
  2. Did you go out wearing your plaids and stripes? I bet the MANTECA COLORÁ is very tasty.
    Good hearts are drawn together.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Wilma:
      I managed to change my clothes before heading out in public. I even shaved!

      Delete
  3. Santa won't want to hear about San Geraldo's morning escapades with tostadas!! Or maybe he will!! lol
    I would have to agree that the Manteca Colora may not be the best breakfast choice.
    Amazing how a simple gesture of kindness can make one feel. Lovely Marina.

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    Replies
    1. Jim:
      I'm sure Santa would approve. (He makes San Geraldo look undernourished.)

      Delete
  4. Probably wouldn't want this dish for breakfast, but I'd definitely give it a try. Take care.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Stephen:
      As a breakfast, I think it might be an acquired taste (hmmm, I guess one that I've already acquired).

      Delete
  5. I'll skip the red lard, but I am giggling at San Geraldo being busted.
    I can just picture his face ...

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    Replies
    1. Bob:
      They also have a white lard version (no paprika) if that would work for you. San Geraldo did it again this morning -- even after I gave him "the look."

      Delete
  6. I'll take the tostadas over the lard ANY day!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Ha! ¡Bustado! (close enough, eh? :)
    Red lard-- never, ever heard of it, but I'd try a teeny bit of it :)
    Love the photo of you and Marina. Happy days!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Judy:
      You can also get manteca claro, which doesn't have the red colouring. Marina tricked me into that damned photo. I had my iPad camera on and she reached over and switched it to selfie!

      Delete
  8. funny how some dishes in one country are the same dishes in another country. Lard on toast is a very old French Canada thing to have, especially if you are poor and can't afford anything else. I like it! Had it as a kid and it was ummm good!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Laurent:
      When I was young my mother (and grandmother) usually had a jar of chicken fat in the refrigerator. We would often use that instead of mayonnaise. And by itself on toast, it was delicious.

      Delete

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