Flip flops, nerd immunity, and suggestions for a beach picnic
 |
| Pronto para praia!!! |
The British government are allied to holidays in the sun as they are known by the footwear of holidaymakers, they flip flop from one thought to another, one decision to another, one muddled and failed strategy to another.
Road maps to recovery, U-turns, Red, amber, green. Why not add pink, brown or black (though those colours may give rise to complaints on the back of of the infamous description of Muslims dressed like letterboxes).Treaty or no treaty, times change but traditions do not. The Algarve remains the preferred holiday destination for many and most certainly the Portuguese themselves. Like any other Mediterranean country the population of the north migrates to the southern coast for the months of July and August. During these months it can be difficult to find a space to extend your towel on the sand. Sometimes when you arrive at the beach during these peak months it is like witnessing the social behaviour of sheep. Sheep display an intensely gregarious social instinct that allows them to bond closely with other sheep and preferentially to related flock members. Flock mentality movements protect individuals from predators. But in the southern region of the country, not all the beaches are full of tourists. All it takes is a short walk along the beach and you will be in your own safe haven, where you´re uninterrupted and there´s no intrusive television screening incessant football on each and every channel.
 |
| um pouco de tempo no sol para dar-lhe um bronzeado dourado. |
There are beaches in the Algarve that are a true paradise and rarely visited by travellers. Without having to travel many kilometers you can find sandy deserts, surrounded by nature and far from urban areas. Most of these deserted beaches have no infrastructure and support services. The access path is often difficult and conditioned. If you are a naturist you will definitely love these little paradises.
 |
| "Tudo azul" |
So in anticipation of the most thrilling summer of the century, a beach trip
this summer, even a single day on the sand seems so dreamy that we’d
happily drop everything for a hit of sun and saltwater. Of course, a
truly enjoyable day at the beach requires a bit of forethought and
packing, lest one settles in and realise you forgot proper shades, a good book, even sunscreen. First off a bag that fits sunglasses, a book, sunscreen, and even your water bottle, and
protects all your special items from sand. And what kind of sustenance do you pack in there? Good
snacks are essential, too. Cherry tomatoes, grapes, cherries, peaches water, biscuits, nuts are standard
beach fare. Muslin or linen wraps work as great alternatives to bulky towels—they look chic and take up way less room.
Water, water, water. As we all try to be more responsible, lose the plastic, and invest in a long-term solution one item has suddenly become a must-have, whether you're picnicking or heading to the beach: a reusable water bottle. It's
not just that plastic water bottles are bad news for the environment,
though. Staying hydrated is an important part of staying well on the go. Oh believe me we know how to make a day on the beach seem like a millionaires holiday.
As blissful as a warm beach day can be, it can also come with stress factors. Applying sunscreen
evenly, finding a parking space, and generally ensuring that your budgie smugglers
stay in place can all be enough to make our temperatures rise. So when
sand happens to sneak its way into your freshly bought food, it's only natural that we tend to react like a foghorn.
Instead of waiting until you're steps from the waves to buy lunch—which is either stored in flimsy foil takeaway boxes or open to the elements—pack a few items
that can be easily stowed away until you're ready to eat. I've picked
out some easy and practical foods to take to the beach, complete with recipes that you
can re-create with a little planning and a trusty cooler. Once other
beachgoers see your delicious spread, they may wish for a seat under
your umbrella. So what do super beachgoers pack in their bags? Polarized sunglasses are a must so that you can take in the incredible colours of
the sparkling sea. And a solar phone charger to avoid running out of power while on your sun lounger.
A small handy cool bag is essential, not a chest that has to be carried by two people; Freeze water in large Ziploc bags so you have slow melt chunks
of ice to cool things down. Inside your cooler are pre-made Aperol Spritz
and cucumber pepped Perrier or Pellegrino, a Hydro Flask with fresh water for your pooch, if relevant.
Packing food for a picnic in the park is pretty easy. But when your picnic happens to be on the beach, there’s a new set of rules and a few more factors to
consider before filling your basket or cooler. For starters, as I have already mentioned there’s the sand. It’s totally obvious, but no matter how hard you plan and how many precautions you take, it inevitably ends up everywhere, including in your sandwich. There’s also the wind — the beach can be
breezy, which means that sand and salt swirl around, attaching
themselves to anything that’s remotely sticky, wet, or, let’s face it,
edible. So pack finger food and salads in lidded containers that can be eaten from directly with a fork.Save yourself time on the day by preparing the majority of your food the day before. Pasta can be cooked, scotch eggs can be prepared. Pataniscas, croquetas and meatballs can all be fried the day before. Tiramisu or trifle benefits from an overnight stay in the fridge. I´ve picked
out some easy make in advance transportable foods to take to the beach,
complete with recipes that you can re-create with a little planning and a
trusty cooler. These all happen to not require utensils, or for that matter,
plates. Put them all in a container and serve them from there—it's that
simple .
 |
| Arancini |
Pataniscas originated in the Algarve:
There are a few versions around,
but this is certainly the sort of salt cod dish you can modify.
I have put a certain Thai stamp on mine.
500g flaked salt cod, desalted and reconstituted
6 kaffir lime leaves, finely chopped
or 1 stalk lemongrass finely chopped
1teaspoon Nam Pla ( thai fish sauce )
Handful of fresh coriander leaves
2 small hot red chillies, de-seeded and finely chopped
3 spring onions finely chopped
75g fresh bread crumbs
a little flour
oil for shallow frying
Put the fish, Kaffir lime leaves or lemongrass, if using, fish sauce, coriander leaves, chillies and spring onions into a food processor.Blend briefly then tip into a bowl and stir in the breadcrumbs and enough flour to bring the mixture together, it should be firm enough to be able to shape into flat cakes or balls. Mould the mixture with your hands into patties, cakes or balls, to the size you require. The above quantity will make 12 5cm patties. Dust these with a little flour, then fry them in shallow oil till crispy and golden about 3-4 minutes each side.
Serve as a starter, canape or snack with a pot of chilli dipping sauce
 |
| Octopus salad |
Comments
Post a Comment