Around Cartagena there is only one drink that goes with breakfast and that is an Asiatico.
This is a powerful concoction that is guaranteed to get the heart started and those wishing to be safe enjoy a couple each morning.
The origin of the local specialty is lost in the mists of history but one thing is certain – despite its name you won´t find it anywhere in Asia.
A plausible theory says that the name Asiatico originates in the hard days when Cartagena was a tough industrial city, with shipyards, mines and heavy industry. Work was also hard in the countryside with few machines to help with the back breaking daily labour. Sciatica is a very painful condition which affects the sciatic nerve along the back of the leg and it often results from unusual movements or injury. Sciatica is “ciático” in Spanish and the speculation is that the Asiatico was developed for ciático.
Anyway, today Asiaticos are enjoyed by everyone and they are available in all cafes. Usually, they are made in a special glass which helps the barman judge the quantities and they are made individually to order at the coffee machine.
An official publication describes how to make Asiaticos for a group of people.
One litre of expresso coffee
150g of condensed milk
Two sticks of cinnamon
Licor 43
Brandy
Ground cinnamon
Lemon peel
Sugar
Licor 43 is a famous local liqueur with a sweet taste made in Cartagena.
Brew up the coffee and drop the two sticks of cinnamon into it. Put in the rest of the ingredients and whisk together. Pour into glasses and sprinkle the ground cinnamon on top.
An ideal way to start the day.
***
©Phillip Bruce 2009.
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Doradas del Mar Menor
The beaches of the Mar Menor, Europe´s largest sea lagoon, are starting to draw sun worshippers who enjoy taking a dip in the warm salty water, doing a bit of work on their tan and then enjoying the fine local cuisine.
One favourite is Doradas del Mar Menor. A dorada is fleshy white fish which is much appreciated by local gourmets. With the fish eaten fresh only the simplest of cooking is required.
To make Doradas del Mar Menor, you need one fish per person. Cut off the tails. Clean and cut along the bottom discarding the contents. Remove the seeds from four large green peppers and chop. Heat a little oil in a frying pan and before it gets too hot add the peppers. When cooked, put the peppers inside the fish and then fry gently until cooked. Drain and serve while still piping hot.
***
©Phillip Bruce 2009
Handy sprays for mouth and ears
Sharon suffers from a very sore tongue and has tried all sorts of sprays and tablets, some needing prescriptions. However, she has now discovered a new, non-prescription spray, which she says is great.
One of her specialists speculates that Sharon´s tongue pain stems from the fact that the part of the brain that controls the tongue is very close to the area that was burnt out with her big cerebral hemorrhage. Maybe the signals are getting mixed up and, as well as the pain, the left side of her tongue is numb. He is trying her with a neuro pain blocker.
On a happier note, her favourite ordinary tongue and mouth spray can be found in chemists here in Spain and it doesn´t need a doctor´s note. The name is Fluocaril Spray Orale. It is made by Proctor and Gamble, so should be widely available in other countries as well as Spain. Well worth a try if you need it.
Sharon also suffers from blocked ears. A helpful chemist at Boots at Stansted recently recommended she try a nasal spray – as all those tubes in the head are connected. Again, Sharon finds this very useful and no prescription is needed. The name is Otrivin. When her Stantsted purchase ran out we went to the local chemist and were delighted that it was on sale there. Otrovin is made by another giant pharmaceutical firm, Novartis.
Sharon said: “It´s a big relief to find these sprays. I keep them with me all day long, especially when I go out.”
***
©Phillip Bruce 2009.
One of her specialists speculates that Sharon´s tongue pain stems from the fact that the part of the brain that controls the tongue is very close to the area that was burnt out with her big cerebral hemorrhage. Maybe the signals are getting mixed up and, as well as the pain, the left side of her tongue is numb. He is trying her with a neuro pain blocker.
On a happier note, her favourite ordinary tongue and mouth spray can be found in chemists here in Spain and it doesn´t need a doctor´s note. The name is Fluocaril Spray Orale. It is made by Proctor and Gamble, so should be widely available in other countries as well as Spain. Well worth a try if you need it.
Sharon also suffers from blocked ears. A helpful chemist at Boots at Stansted recently recommended she try a nasal spray – as all those tubes in the head are connected. Again, Sharon finds this very useful and no prescription is needed. The name is Otrivin. When her Stantsted purchase ran out we went to the local chemist and were delighted that it was on sale there. Otrovin is made by another giant pharmaceutical firm, Novartis.
Sharon said: “It´s a big relief to find these sprays. I keep them with me all day long, especially when I go out.”
***
©Phillip Bruce 2009.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Home of Hannibal
Sharon was out and about in the ancient streets of Cartagena this morning.
“I was following up the last bits of my paper trail at government offices near the main Post Office and Phil pushed me up a side street in the wheelchair to have a look at the archaeological dig going on there.
“Apparently, this is the Molinete Hill and it is stuffed with ancient remains, from the Carthaginians to the Romans. It was an important part of the city in Roman times, with bits of the forum and other public buildings there.
“But, more interestingly, is the belief that it was where Hannibal’s family home was. Hannibal was a member of the Barca family, a powerful Carthaginian clan. It was the Carthaginians who founded Cartagena, Spain, about 200 years before the birth of Christ. Hannibal was brought up here and gathered his armies and elephants to go off and cross the Alps to attack Italy. The Barca´s also founded Barcelona.
“The archaeologists are hoping to find remains of the family palace but they have been at it for a while and they know they have got many years to go. Let´s hope they find something interesting like treasure and jewels and not just piles of old stones.
“My friend Viv tells me that the next Hollywood blockbuster is due out in 2010 and it stars Vin Diesel as Hannibal. Should be a right ripping yarn and a real adventure film, with plenty of swords and sandals. I´m sure there will be moans and groans about its historical inaccuracy but I bet it will be a great adventure film. I can´t wait to see it. I wonder if they filmed my house? I shall be looking eagerly for places I know.
***
©Phillip Bruce 2009.
World´s healthiest breakfast
Scientists have recently announced that tests have proved that the world's healthiest breakfast is probably the toasted bread with grated tomatoes that is so much enjoyed in and around Cartagena.
Apparently, the calories in the bread, the cancer-fighting and vitamin properties of the tomatoes and the heart-friendly, olive oil that is poured over the top all combine to give mega health benefits and start the day off with an ideal amount of oomph.
The beloved “Full English” breakfast of eggs, bacon, tomatoes, black pudding, fried bread and so on doesn´t get a look in when it comes to the health scores – except at the top of the list of what is bad for you.
So, next time you are sitting down to breakfast in the sunshine at a pavement café, order a tostada con tomate. You will feel good all morning.
***
©Phillip Bruce 2009
Monday, June 1, 2009
Beach and tapas prescribed
Sharon visited her rehabilitation consultant last week and received an unusual medical prescription – beach and tapas.
A year and a bit after her near-fatal stroke she has learned so much from her physiotherapy, and worked so hard, that the expert is opinion is that she doesn´t need any more instruction, just practice.
Walking and staying active is vital to her recovery and she can now walk 10 steps on her own with her crutch, although still a bit nervous about doing so. She can walk a lot farther with a helping hand. “It´s all about developing confidence,” said the consultant. “Practice, practice, practice.”
He is a great enthusiast for water therapy and said that she must take every opportunity she can to go swimming. Apparently, just walking in the water is also terrific exercise.
Soon, Sharon will have finished all her tablets and medications. “The only prescription I can give you now is Beach and Tapas,” said the doc.
Sharon said: “Now that´s what I call a sensible medical man.”
***
©Phillip Bruce 2009
Kind people
Sharon says:
“I’ve been thinking about how nice and thoughtful people are. They so often help us when we must look as if we need a helping hand. Since I have been in the wheelchair I have noticed how so many people have been so helpful to me, offering their assistance whilst I have been getting in and out of the car, opening doors for me, helping us up and down steps and with other obstacles.
“Just this morning, I was getting into my wheelchair from the front passenger street of the car. Because we were parked on a slope the wheelchair wasn´t too steady and a passing man came over and held the wheelchair while Phil swung me round and into it from the car. He was just someone walking by and, obviously, saw us struggling a bit. It was good to feel that my wheelchair was held securely and would not roll back.
“So many people are like this and it means the world to me. I try to remember if I was as helpful to people before I became disabled. I only hope I was.”
***
©Phillip Bruce 2009
“I’ve been thinking about how nice and thoughtful people are. They so often help us when we must look as if we need a helping hand. Since I have been in the wheelchair I have noticed how so many people have been so helpful to me, offering their assistance whilst I have been getting in and out of the car, opening doors for me, helping us up and down steps and with other obstacles.
“Just this morning, I was getting into my wheelchair from the front passenger street of the car. Because we were parked on a slope the wheelchair wasn´t too steady and a passing man came over and held the wheelchair while Phil swung me round and into it from the car. He was just someone walking by and, obviously, saw us struggling a bit. It was good to feel that my wheelchair was held securely and would not roll back.
“So many people are like this and it means the world to me. I try to remember if I was as helpful to people before I became disabled. I only hope I was.”
***
©Phillip Bruce 2009
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)