Travel the Spain #4 catch the wind with the best company in Guadalest, Alicante

 Milda catching the wind. Luis and me ready to rock the road and all together.

Pr-history sometimes you need to meet people at the right time for the best reasons. And how it was with one of the greatest guide I ever had who show some nice places around Alicante for one of my best friends who came to visit me at Easters holidays from Lithuania and for me too. So on sunny Saturday morning (which I insisted to schedule) after egg cake which I baked again for breakfast to my travel team we went to the trip around Alicante (at the first beginning we didn't even knew where we going, because all was organised by Spanish guide) after singing and making funny videos in the car we reach our first destination of the day GUADALEST (click to see the roat). 

About the place Guadalest is locates in a spectacular setting at 600m above sea level in a rugged mountain range. It is one of the most visted village in Spain. There are few museums, a castle, church, restaurants and small local shops too. One we visited is Municipal Museum. It is the house of the Orduna family which was built after the great earthquake of 1644. After looking around the house you can follow the steps up to the Castillo de San Jose. But trust me it is not about any museum, shops or even castle in there. It is about the view. Especially that one you do not expected too see where you see the lake in the middle of mountains just when you turn around after walking in narrow street straight to the castle.

Let's have a look... 

   

All day was about trying Spanish things - first try of sweet Spanish vine.

This is the corner I was talking about lately

Just for a moment - finally enjoy the view and not making photos.

Review  This place was something I knew about but  still when I saw this view I started to scream. Not like scared but with that feeling when you see something magical. For my friend who is big fan of mountains this place left big impression too. I suggest you all to visit this small village if you are around. For one small tip maybe it is better to do in the morning when you can skip all walking with big crowds of tourists. Even if you are not big fan of museums or castles you can just drive by to enjoy the view and have a coffee in front of the magic nature. 

For me it was really good first destination we reached that day. I sure you that I will write posts about other place we visit on the same day (BENIDORM) and also about the place we had dinner at night with maybe not so traditional but really Spanish food in amazing restaurant. 

Hope you all have wonderful days this week

In Alicante is almost summer and I have to prepare for exams. 

Such a shame. 

Enjoy the smell of the spring and travel travel as much as you can!!!

Moni

xx

Dinner Time #3 Roasted Chicken with Rosemary and Lemon

It took me so long to come back on track with all blog posts. I have million ideas in my head about what I wan to share with You all. These two week was really amazing !!! 

So first of all I would like to share easy and really tasteful recipe of roasted chicken I made for my little ERASMUS family on Easter dinner. It was way too much for 8 skinny girls (maybe of desserts and snacks too), but I hope all of them was happy and content. Easters are Easters no matter where you are. 

Recipe: Roasted Chicken with Rosemary and Lemon

 

Summary: While in my country was snowing on Easter day my home in Spain was full of rosemary smell. 
When I thought about making the dinner for Easters first idea was roasted chicken. Back in my home it is usual dish with all marinates for night and mustard or mayonnaise mixtures what I don't fancy at all. This time I wanted something fresh, simple and quick to make (also more healthy). And suddenly it came to me this idea about rosemary and lemons! Trust me - this combination of lemon, rosemary and garlic is perfect for roasted chicken and it is so healthy too (without extra fats or carbohydrates).   

Ingredients:

• 10 Chicken quarter (about 4-5kg);
• 4-5 big Lemons;
• 1 big Garlic;
• 1 Onion;
• Fresh Rosemary leaves;
• Pinch of herbs de Provence and Rosemaria;
• Sea salt;
• Black peppers;
• Fresh grounded black peppers; 
• Olive oil;

Instructions:

1. Prepare all your ingredients. Cut chicken quarters in two peaces and clean them really good. You can take the skin off if you don't like with it. Also cut your lemons in quarters and leave one just to squeeze juices from it on top of prepared dish before putting it in the oven. Cut the onion, mince and mash the garlic.
2. In a baking pan put peaces of chicken that you prepare before. Splash olive oil, salt and peppers with herbs on it. Also put the onion and garlic and squeeze the lemon. Then with hands mix and mash it into the skin of chicken and leave it for an hour.
3. After just put fresh rosemary and quarters of lemon all over the dish. Splash some herbs, salt or peppers if you like.
4. Preheat your oven until 180 C and put baking pan there for 45-55 minutes or until then the chicken will be baked and the skin crisps.
5. Wait for 5 minutes and remove lemons. Serve with salads or roasted vegetables and enjoy with your friends and family.

Quick notes: During the baking always check if it is not burned. Don't be afraid that lemons will burn - you need to be sure that chicken is ready.
Variations: You also can cook whole chicken and put all ingredients inside or under the skin. It is really good possibility to put some vegetables as carrots, potatoes, tomatoes and roaste together too.
Preparation time: 30-45 minutes (+1hour waiting).
Cooking time: 45-55 minutes.

Diet tags: Hight in proteins as all my dishes I post here. No extra fats like in other kind of marinates just a olive oil. And u can serve it with fresh salads or roasted vegetables that is really healthy too.

Number of servings: We prepared it for 8 girls, but all get some lefties for next day lunch ( I felt like my grandmother putting all in the boxes for my girls). It is way too much for that amount of girls, but I think boys would not have a problem with that at all - especially on the Easter dinner.
My rating 5 stars:★★★★
Friend(-s) rating 5 stars:★★★★

Prepare it for your family on Sunday dinner. It is really easy and not too expensive. I am sure all going to like it for sure. Write me what you think and how you succeeded on preparing this dish.

 

What You cooked for your Easter dinner?

Hope You all having amazing week after holidays.

Moni

xx