We heard rumors of the existence of a regional ham that one New Yorker calculated sold for more than what a person could expect to pay for crack cocaine. I'm not kidding.
Oh, there was ham! But I understate it-- please let me explain.
It is called Joselito, a special pig that is allowed to gorge itself on acorns... kinda like fois gras but for pork. There's I'm sure some middle portions that I missed, (including any cruelty that makes it dead,) and then the meat is cured until it develops a particular mold like a good cheese would. It can keep up to 10 years. It's allowed to sweat before serving, best at room temperature, and it got better and better with each bite. (I found a little something more here.)
Of course any edible additions to this would be a crime unto the pig, so we ate it straight. But with a traditional dry sherry that is made to accompany it. Wow. It did keep getting better and better.
That could have been enough. By all rights it should have been! but the meal does not end yet.
After this we had gazpacho, with fresh croutons and one perfect gambeta (shrimp) apiece. Garlic and peppers and apples, oh my.
Oh, and we were eating outside on the terrace... with a full moon. Just to picture this as it was.
I don't know what the meat was for the main course, but I'm making myself hungry again.
It was steak, rare, with a sweet dessert cheese on one side and a sauce that takes two days to make on the other. The name of it wasn't familiar, but I was told it was like a Hollandaise or Bechamel sauce. A side note with panache and character. So, so good.
Of course with this we had more wine. Chateauneuf-du-Pape. I needn't explain that.
I confess that I am glad I was sitting at the end of the table at the end of the group so there were fewer conversations to contribute to.
All I wanted to do was focus on the food! Unbelievable.
And THEN chocolate, from a very special chocolatier in Barcelona. Dark chocolate over slivers of candied orange rind, hazelnut bars, and semi-sweet samplers... with a dry white wine, naturally. Exemplary.
I'm a little bit jealous of my last night self, and I was there! What a way to go.
Llarga vida a Catalunya!
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3 comments:
Sounds absolutely wonderful ... sights, aromas, and tastes. Where does one sign up for this? Any photos coming or will this evening be captured on canvas?
Have mercy! What a delightful description of a gorgeous meal. Those europeans really know how to eat. Makes me think of that scene in Chocolat where they are all enjoying an alfresco dinner and it's so divine no one is speaking.
Absolutely. The tremendous revelation came this morning when we were invited to a "true" party to be held next weekend: a birthday/ anniversary party.
The birthday is a former owner and chef of a Michelen star restaurant in Barcelona, and the anniversary celebration is for is his parents.
Maybe I'll put the dancing to canvas!
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