Caldo Gallego or Kale Soup

In the beautiful Azore Islands, where my grandparents lived, this lovely kale soup was called couves. It is pronounced something like "kway-vish" and is a favorite in my family. I thought I'd share the recipe again, for those who missed it in the earlier posts. It is exactly the same soup you find in Spain, called Caldo Gallego.

You start with an inexpensive cut of beef. My grandmother used shank and short ribs back in the 50's but those have skyrocketed in price. Now, I look for a good chuck roast on sale.

You will also need some good olive oil, maybe 2 tablespoons.

Put the olive oil in a heavy pot and turn the heat on medium.

When it begins to smoke, put in the meat and brown it good on both sides.

When the meat is browned, take it out and let it rest on a plate.

Add a big cupful of chopped onion to the oil and cook them until they are clear.

Now add some minced garlic. I use about 3 fat cloves.

Add some salt and pepper and put the meat back into the pot.

Cover the entire thing with about 2 inches of water.

Bring to a boil, then simmer (covered) until the meat begins to fall apart.

Once the meat is tender, you will add some chopped potatoes.

I usually put in about 4 large potatoes, cubed.

While the potatoes are cooking, get your kale ready.

You will wash the kale and cut the center rib out of each leaf.

You can use curly or flat kale, it doesn't matter, but the flat is easier to handle.

You can also use collard greens, if you can't find kale.

Now make a stack of kale leaves, 

like this:

Then, beginning at a short end, ROLL the kale leaves into a very tight bundle.

Using a razor sharp knife, cut the bundle into very thin shreds.

This is called "chiffonade."

In Portugal, you can buy a little tool with a crank that shreds kale.

You could also put it in a food processor, but you'd need to be careful not to mush it up too much.

When the potatoes are done, pile the kale in, and cover the pot.

Let it steam for about 15 minutes, then stir the kale in.

Cook for another 10 minutes on low.

Now EAT IT!

YUM!

Be sure to add some crusty chewy bread to the meal.

This Kale Soup has Linguica in it instead of beef.
That is a great option if you can find Silva's Linquica!

Meeting Mafalda!

When I was in Barcelona last week, 

I had the wonderful opportunity to meet up

with one of my online felting friends, Marina Manas 

(There should be a tilde over the "n" but my keyboard won't do it!)

Marina and her beautiful daughter 

(also a talented felted) 

met me at my apartment,

and took me out for coffee.

It was so much fun meeting them in person,

and she gifted me with this sweet little sculpture

of Mafalda!

Mafalda is just adorable!

She has a cute little crocheted pink skirt

and two white Mary-Jane shoes.

The detail is wonderful.

From Wikipedia:

Mafalda is a comic strip written and drawn by Argentine cartoonist Joaquín Salvador Lavado, better known by his pen name Quino. The strip features a 6-year-old girl named Mafalda, who is deeply concerned about humanity and world peace and rebels against the current state of the world. The strip ran from 1964 to 1973 and was very popular in Latin America, Europe, Quebec, and Asia,  leading to two animated cartoon series and a movie.

What a sweet gift from a sweet lady!

Gracias, Marina!

Day 18 - to Palas de Rei

Next day, we walked to Palas de Rei, where we stayed at Pension Palas, a modern apartment type building with lovely clean rooms.  These are photos looking out my window.

This big building is Pension Palas. You can't miss it!

Note:  If you are interested in walking the Camino Santiago, 

but are not quite ready to go it alone, 

consider joining Annie

on one of our small, affordable Camino walks. 

For more information see our website 

at this link: AnnieWalkers Camino

Resting at Casa Morgade and on to Portomarin

The last photo are of Katie, Lon, and Patty enjoy a break at Casa Morgade. We picked up Lon and his daughter Katie in Sarria. They are a delightful addition to our walking group!

I had to take these photos if the dog begging one pilgrim for a bite if his bocadillo
while the other pilgrim dressed his sore foot.

After a short rest at Casa Morgade, 

we were off on our way to Portomarin,

where we stayed at Albergue Ultreia.

It is always sad to see graffiti on ancient treasures.

Makes me wonder if it's Pilgrims

or ignorant local children.

 This pilgrim has a good idea.

He's PUSHING his pack to Santiago!

We stop for lunch near Ferreiros.

Spanish tuna makes a great sammie!

This was a beautiful cross and tribute,

to what I'm not sure?

All along The Way 

we see many many crosses.

Some are decorated like this one,

by Pilgrims walking by.

Others are stark.

All serve as a reminder to the suffering

of a Pilgrim,

as well as other more religious reminders

to some.

This section of Spain is so pretty to me!

 A lovely cup of tea!

Tribute to the Pope.

My shoes are ready for a rest.

A horreo against a dark blue sky. 

These are made to hold grain, mostly corn.

They are protected by the government

and may not be dismantled.

Some are wooden, like this one.

Others are made of brick and/or stone.

 I just can't stop taking photos of the blue sky!

Our path today, in this section, is paved.

After a steep climb down into the river valley,

we see OLD Portomarin.

The water is very low.

This is the first time I've seen this many buildings

which were covered by water when the government

flooded the village in the 1950's.

We crossed the bridge to the village.

It was VERY high, 

and although stable,

when the wind blows,

you feel like you're going to be blown off into the water below.

It's a HUGE drop,

and even I,

who am not afraid of heights,

felt a bit woozy crossing.

I wish I had a photo of this bridge,

but do not.

I'll take one next year.

Most of us stay at Albergue Ultreia,

a wonderful place with both dorms and private rooms.

It is exceptionally clean and well-run.

Here is a wee photo of one of their private rooms.

You can see more photos on their website

at the following link:

Albergue Ultreia Portomarin

Once we settled in, 

many of the ladies brought food and drink

and we had a celebration out on the balcony.

These ladies know how to party!

Thanks!

Note:  If you are interested in walking the Camino Santiago, 

but are not quite ready to go it alone, 

consider joining Annie

on one of our small, affordable Camino walks. 

For more information see our website 

at this link: AnnieWalkers Camino

Day 17 - Sarria to Portomarin

We had a very foggy start but by 10 am the sun began breaking through.
I have walked the Camino three times in the Fall and thus is the coolest September I've seen.

The highlight of the day was the 'fogbow' we saw as the sun rose.
The rest of the day was a joyful walk.

Joe stands under the "fogbow"

Note:  If you are interested in walking the Camino Santiago, 

but are not quite ready to go it alone, 

consider joining Annie

on one of our small, affordable Camino walks. 

For more information see our website 

at this link: AnnieWalkers Camino