Spanish Dinner Party

Saturday was another one of those cold rainy days where it's half gone before you realise it. It had got to 3.30pm and looked like a wasted afternoon, until we decided to think up something fun to do for tea.

Miss Fab said, what about a restaurant? So it was decided we should make a "restaurant" at home.

But what kind of restaurant? We considered Scottish (but didn't fancy haggis) and Italian, then Miss Fab shouted, "I know! A restaurant in Spain!"

She was keen to get dressed up in her real Spanish flamenco dress - a birthday present from Nan who brought it back from her trip to Spain.

So we dug out a sombrero from the dressup box (is that Mexican?? - oh well!) and we all dressed up in red and black and yellow - even baby Scrag.

Mr G went to Pak'n'Save for some provisions and came back with roast chicken, smoked fish, a baguette, olives and chorizo sausage. Meanwhile I made spanish (?) yellow rice, with sultanas and Spanish roasted peanuts.

We used a red sheet for a tablecloth, found our brightest coloured plates and bowls, some red and yellow flowers (left over from the fairy party) - and we had ourselves an occasion.

Dash wanted a beard and moustache and then Mr G decided all the men should have one - including the baby(!)

I don't know how authentic it was but we all said "Ola" to each other and "Gracias a Dios" for the dinner... and a dreary Saturday afternoon was definitely brightened up (in spite of a few moments of drama about hair accessories from a very fussy flamenco dancer we kow. Sigh.)

Click Here for my delicious Sangria Recipe...

YELLOW "SPANISH" RICE

1 cup uncooked Jasmine rice
2 teaspoons chicken stock
1 teaspoon curry powder
Handful of sultanas

2 handfuls of Spanish roasted peanuts (add after cooking)

Combine in a microwave bowl; add water until it comes up to the first knuckle on your index finger above the rice. Microwave on high for 18-20 minutes (or until rice is cooked). Stir in a couple of handfuls of Spanish Roasted peanuts. Yum!