Food, Music, Food, Music, Foood, Music... Ad Infinitum

By the time you read this post, here in the UK footie fans will know which of the Spanish sides that played against each other in the semis, Barcelona or Madrid, will be representing la madre patria in the forthcoming Champions League final. Enough reason for me to go for a traditional recipe from that European nation. I just wish I could cook it more often at home, were it not for the fact that my family doesn't like seafood. Luckily, I can still enjoy this delicious dish on my own.

Crisp fried squid

Ingredients:

vegetable oil, for deep-frying
500 g squid, cleaned
Spanish frying flour
generous pinch sea salt
1 lemon, cut into wedges, to serve

1. Preheat the oil in a deep fat fryer to 180C. Rinse the squid and carefully pat dry with kitchen paper. Cut the squid into 1.5cm rings and set aside, with the tentacles.

2. Tip plenty of flour (or mixed flour and breadcrumbs) into a large bowl. Toss a large handful of squid in the flour to coat, gently shake off excess and then carefully add to the hot oil. Deep-fry in batches for 3 minutes or until crisp and golden.

3. Remove the squid and drain on kitchen paper. Repeat this, cooking the remaining squid in batches.

4. As soon as all the squid is cooked, sprinkle with a little salt and lemon juice. Serve with the remaining lemon wedges.

The recipe is very simple, ergo, the music should also be, ideally, uncomplicated. That's why I'll open with Chumbawamba and 'Tubthumping'. This melody still sounds fresh after all these years, just like cleaned squid. Also, how often do you see female trumpeters in pop bands?



And now, for a little bit of mindless musical frippery. Whigfield with 'Saturday Night'. Are you really going to sit there with a straight face and tell me that you never grooved to this? Oh, please, do us a favour, luv, get your dancing shoes on and join me. We're going to paint the town red.



We're celebrating Spanish football and I haven't yet uploaded any clip of a Spanish singer? Shame on me. Step forward, then, Concha Buika, one of those performers for whom the word 'star' was invented. This is one of the more imaginative and heart-rending versions of 'Volver, Volver' I've ever heard in my life. Enjoy.



© 2011

Next Post: ‘Sunday Mornings: Coffee, Reflections and Music’, to be published on Sunday 15th May at 10am (GMT)