Madrid and the purchase of an ingredient...

This weekend, I went to Madrid with my friend Hannah for a short girly getaway. It's a really fantastic city, so brilliant that we were able to get over the scam that cost Hannah 100 Euro, and the girl I found with her hand in my bag, and the strange man who tried to grope us in the main square - we are pretty sure he was drunk.

Seriously, don't let that put you off, these were our personal unlucky moments and make for good anecdotal tidbits, it really is a great place for a short city break. For a start it's historic centre in particular is beautiful, with bendy streets and tall town houses, it has wonderful galleries and museums (we went to see Guernica, 'twas super) and above all, INCREDIBLE food. Yes caps, you see them! So good.

We were staying at an apartment round the corner from the Mercado de San Miguel, which is an absolute must if you like cheese, meat, wine, fish, sangria, cake, ice cream, fresh fruit, beer, especially if you like croquettes, coffee, bread...need I go on? You just go in, it is a re-furbed old building done out all nice like, and there are counters and tables in the middle and round the sides. You buy a drink, then wander contentedly ordering bits of tapas until you fall over from fullness, too much sangria, or sheer pleasure.

As well as this, there is Calle Cava Baja which is a street full of lively tapas bars (as long as you go after 10pm!) filled with locals and tourists alike, and generally you go into any of them across the city and order a drink you will be handed a little plate of deliciousness along with it. In the Chueca neighbourhood (which also has a great market, San Anton) there is a bar called El Tigre - it was packed and you don't just get a little taster with your drinks, you get an enormous plate! It's not the best tapas, but there is loads of it and they do huge cups of sangria :-)

Here are some links, if you are thinking of going

http://www.mercadosananton.com/
http://www.mercadodesanmiguel.es/
http://www.airbnb.co.uk/users/show/1424863
http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attraction_Review-g187514-d313698-Reviews-Cava_Baja-Madrid.html
http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g187514-d1829992-Reviews-El_Tigre-Madrid.html

 Giant Sangria!

 Hangover saving chorizo sandwich

 Inside and outside the Mercado   
                                                                                           de San Miguel

And so, you will see on my saffron on my ingredient list which I picked up from a lovely little deli just off the square - it's a bit cheaper if you buy it in Spain - and this will be what I use in my first recipe this weekend!