The English-speaking community in France, Italy, and Spain

Spanish cuisine is one of the healthiest in the word, and it’s also one of the easiest to get into, even if your inner Domestic Goddess has left the building. That’s because most Spanish recipes revolve around no more than half a dozen ingredients, and one of the more common ingredients is paprika.

Gazpacho is the generic name for cold tomato soup, which originally came from Andalucia. The name possibly originates from the Latin for ‘crumbs,’ as true gazpacho is based on bread soaked in olive oil, garlic, vinegar and salt, but nobody is really certain. Today, gazpacho is thought of as gourmet food, but like many Spanish foods, originally it was a dish for the poor, based on bread and vegetables.

Aubergines – or berenjenas as they are called in Spain – belong to the nightshade family of vegetables and fruits which include tomatoes, potatoes and peppers. Botanically they are fruits, not vegetables, and they grow on vines like tomatoes. For culinary purposes, though, aubergines are treated as vegetables. They are widely available on the markets in Spain, easy to grow, and they’re really good for you.

Think of Spanish food, and you probably think of tapas, those great appetisers which may be provided free with drinks in some establishments, and are always available in Spanish bars and cafeterias. Even the smallest tapas bar will have a reasonable selection, including family versions of staples like albondigas (meatballs) and tortillas (Spanish potato and onion omelette).

Ordering tapas need not be terrifying for newcomers to Spain, or to the tapas way of eating. It should be fun, so don’t be afraid to try out your Spanish.

In light of the UK’s recent vote to leave the EU, Brits abroad are understandably nervous about their standing. We consulted with the people of Kyero to get their opinion

Most of the orange and lemon trees on the Costa Blanca are bare now, but there are, as always, plenty available in the markets and supermarkets at ridiculously cheap prices. Lemons are good for much more than seasoning paella or livening up your gin and tonic, so here’s an idea for you.

Summer’s here, and that means high temperatures here in Spain, which probably means you don’t want to eat a lot. If you’re starting to get fed up of salads, and feel the need for some protein, but not the sluggish feeling after eating a huge steak when the mercury is hitting the 40 mark, what can you do? Well, there are plenty of alternatives available.

The news of a Brexit will likely raise some questions for you as you plan your big move abroad. You may have already made the move and feel concerned that your rights as an expat are at risk. These questions are perfectly sound, given the uncertainty a Brexit has, and will cause, over the coming years.

We have covered the potential outcomes of a Brexit in our previous article and would like to reiterate that during the process of divorce from the EU – known as Article 50, your rights remain intact, and given the relationship the UK has with the EU, these rights could remain regardless of the outcome.

Before you make any decisions, let’s look at some of the facts and try to make sense of the uncertain times ahead.

If you were in Torrevieja in the summer of 2015, it’s quite possible you were on the scene to see cinema history in the making. Especially if you happened to be down by the Marina, watching the Blues Brothers strutting their stuff, closely followed by local comedian and drag artiste Stevie Spit, resplendent in a red chiffon gown and high heels. More alarmingly, maybe you were there when two guys on jet skis packing guns and wearing skeleton masks roared into the Marina demanding fuel. You didn’t dream it – you were part of the fulfillment of the 30 year dream of Billie Anthony Gaddess – actor, screenwriter, Torrevieja home owner and the driving force behind the community produced film ‘The Cucaracha Club.’

Europe – and particularly Spain – is much more motor home friendly than the UK. There are very few height barriers, and if you take up two or even three parking spaces, nobody seems bothered. Also, there are lots of places where you can pitch up for free – or ‘wild camp’ as it’s called in the trade. However, as with all things, there are people who will take advantage, and then the police will be called in to move them along, and maybe impose a hefty fine too.