Years ago we had gone to the Canary Islands, the island of Fuerteventura to be precise. It was a beach vacation, and I can’t say I remember any more than that, so I was not expecting much from our stop at Tenerife. Wrong!
A view from our coach as he headed to Anaya.
We docked in Santa Cruz, the island’s capital, but soon were on our way to the northern corner of the island and the Anaya Rural Park, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. The drive was spectacular, both for the views of the coastline below and for the lush greenery of the rainforest. Most notable was the so called “candelabra cactus” which is not a cactus at all but which has upright arms that spring from its base and can reach a height of ten feet or more. (Sorry, neither Vann nor I got a good photo, but you can Google it.) The area has a microclimate that favors the growing of a variety of vegetables and fruits to include grapes for wine. Our tour made a wine stop (no cork and no label, but it wasn’t bad.)
The town of San Cristobal de La Laguna is a jewel! Once the capital city of the Canary Islands, this UNESCO World Heritage site features colonial architecture, ornate churches (and a convent of cloistered nuns), rich history, and a vibrant university and cultural life. On the day we visited, folks were gearing up for their annual book festival to be held the following day.
Given a bit of time to explore on our own, we took our guide’s advice and slipped into a nearby cafe for the locals’ favorite drink, a barraquito.
To make one, slowly pour the following into a juice glass, in order, trying to keep them in layers: (Pouring over the back of a spoon might help.)
A Tablespoon of condensed milk
One ounce of liquor (They use Licor 43, but Tia Maria or Cointreau are alternatives)
Two ounces hot espresso coffee
1.5 ounces whole milk, frothed
A dusting of cinnamon powder
A zest of lemon peel, yellow part only
Serve immediately with a spoon to stir before drinking, mixing the layers for a balanced flavor of sweet, creamy, citrusy, and coffee notes. Muy buono!
No comments:
Post a Comment
If your comment asks to subscribe to our blog, please send me an email; address is in my profile at the bottom of the blog. I need your email to invite you to subscribe. Happy to have you along!