CHORIZO A LA SIDRA (Spanish chorizo in cider sauce)

Ingredients (Serves 4)

-2 tablespoons of olive oil
-500 grs of Spanish chorizo (cut into 1 inch pieces)
-1 small onion (thinly sliced)
-2 cloves of garlic (thinly sliced)
-1/4 teaspoon of salt
-1 teaspoon of fresh thyme
-3 cups of cider
-Crusty bread for dipping

Put the oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Brown the chorizo one side for about 2 minutes. Turn to the other side to cook for about other 2 minutes. Add the garlic, onion, salt and thyme. Cook for 1 minute stirring occassionally. Add the cider and bring to boil. Reduce the heat and continue to cook until sauce has reduced in volume by about half (between 15-20 minutes), turning the chorizo occassionally to ensure even cooking.

Serve the chorizo with some crusty bread for dipping.
This is a tipycal dish from the nort of Spain (Asturias) where the chorizo and cider (sidra) are excellent. I tried this recipe here in Ireland with chorizo from the supermarket  and Irish cider: Brilliant!!!

PAN TUMACA CON JAMON (BREAD, TOMATO AND SERRANO HAM)

PAN TUMACA CON JAMON (Bread, tomato, serrano ham)

Ingredients (Serves 4)

-4slices of bread (for example ciabatta bread)
-2 cloves of garlic (peeled)
-2 ripe tomatoes
-200 gr. of serrano ham at room temperature
-Olive oil


Toast the bread. While the bread is still hot, rub the garlic over the toasted bread to give it lots of flavour. Now rub the tomatoes all over the bread making sure it´s completely covered. Add a slice of serrano ham on top and drizzle with olive oil.

This is the usual breakfast in the south of Spain that can be tasted in any "cafeteria" (coffee shop). It is normally used Iberico ham (the pigs are fed with acorns which make the ham absolutely delicious).

Serrano ham is available in most supermakerts in Ireland.