When I conceived Casa del Mar, I decided that it should be a place where diners would be transported back to whichever fantastic Mediterranean holiday they have just come home from.
The menu includes Greek salad, Spanish Paella, Algerian Sausages, etc...
The minted lamb draws from both North African and Spanish cuisines.
Just like with Pavlov's dog, smells and tastes never fail to ring a bell inside our memory.
One warm summer's evening back in the late eighties when I was still cooking at Seaton Carew, I walked across the road to my favourite seat by the paddling pool just as I always did before the evening service, to collect my thoughts and ready myself for the onslaught.
A couple of hundred yards down the sandy beach The North Sea felt peculiarly warm. Not warm enough for a late dip but it imparted a strong Mediterranean smell, a fishy smell, a smell I had only come across back in the tiny harbour where, as a youngster I went for evening walks with family and friends. A smell that conjured up many beautiful memories.
Suddenly, I was gasping for grilled sardines, simple olive oil and lemon dressing, a walk on a beach...
Whenever I see couples holding hands across a table at Casa del Mar, their eyes full of Rosé I know they are on a beach far, far away, listening to the gentle surf of a Mediterranean evening...
Mouth watering...
Desperate for inspiration?
Can't you think of anything for dinner?
When I was a student, I used to surprise Karen by making something out of nothing. Hunger drove me to sit down in front of the wide-open fridge, yoga-like, staring at the few ingredients in it. My eyes jumped from one almost-bare shelf to the next until the tiny germ of dish began forming inside my bubbling head. A quick visit to the cupboard completed the culinary creation. Out came the pan and within half an hour, I magicked something to eat.
The result was not always guaranteed though. On a few RARE occasions the concoction went straight into the bin while a quick trip to the takeaway saved the day.
This morning I stumbled this useful site which speeds up the process by analysing the ingredients inside your fridge and larder and spitting out (!) a series of dishes.
Cooking by numbers
Check it out! The results can be quite enlightening but sometimes hilarious!
One of the suggestions I got was Aubergines with Mozzarella! Strange! I have neither ingredient in my fridge...
