A couple of decades ago a junior chef working in the kitchens of the Ritz in London got disgusted with the amount of waste coming back from the salad bowls presented for free at the tables of the rich and powerful in the restaurant. He was not a TV so called celebrity chef but one of those who actually wielded a real knife on a real chopping board and produced something really recognisable and really tasty. To present food well is one thing. To torture ingredients to make them look like something growing on Mars is arrogant and plain stupid. A carrot is a carrot after all and no amount of sculpture is going to make it taste of anything but a carrot. When the Roux brothers started using snails eggs for fish dishes decoration I drew the line and relegated their books under a real pile of real unidentified bin bags containing real unidentified matter in the attic. Meanwhile our young chef at the Ritz was picking the left over lettuce leaves from the returning bowls. Once the dressing is put on the leaves quickly wilt as anyone who bothers to dress a salad knows. Good dressing by the way: 4 tablespoons of olive oil, one of balsamic or cider vinegar, one teaspoon of runny honey, the same of mustard and freshly ground pepper. Stir well and taste. Add salt if need be. So there he is, in those vast kitchens in the basement of this once upon a time immigrant’s emporium and he had an idea. He placed those limp leaves between that famous thin bread and put it through the machine that turns an ordinary sandwich into those perfect little squares dowagers love to quaff with their little finger up. Any dish written in French seems to be more authentic than it is so our young chef offered “petits paves de pain de froment rustique a la laitue fatiguee”. To you and I: small brown bread sandwiches filled with tired lettuce. It was an instant success and nearly deposed the traditional cucumber king from its British throne. At the last count the Ritz is still serving them in London. I can’t check that one out. The last time we were there we had to produce some plastic to pay for two Champagne cocktails. In the mean time Cesar Ritz is laughing in his grave. Not bad for the son of a poor Swiss goat farmer. The food waste coming out of an ordinary household is appalling. The well-known woman’s monthly magazine in UK (tried, tested and trusted) conducted an experiment not very long ago. They monitored a family with 3 children over a week. The wife is a homemaker so it would seem that even with three children she has the whole day to simmer a casserole. But obviously not. At the end of the week that “homemaker” had binned 8.50 kgs of food. Amongst other things she threw away 500gms of cheese (for goodness sake!), the same weight in croissants and vanilla custard, nearly a kilo of salad stuff, more than 3.50kgs of left-over food and fed her dog more than a kilo of fresh meat. There were other items to bulk up that sorry list. She is not a homemaker. She is a home buster. Her excuse is that she buys foodstuff she thinks is good for the family; the family has other tastes so she throws away what they don’t want when the sell-by-date has expired. Stupid woman. There are a couple of issues in her case. First, the family must eat what is on their plates. Don’t like it? Tough. Go with an empty belly. Second, she can go with the family tastes and let them rot their teeth with fizzy drinks and get obese on MRM (mechanically removed meat) hamburgers. Option three is to ignore the sell-by-dates and keep the food stuff and meat in good condition in the fridge for a few more days. Or cook it in the form of a casserole. That infamous date is only a guide line. It is also a shield for the supermarkets against any possible court case involving food poisoning. To throw away a pound of cheese is madness. Even the hardest of cheese can be grated; think of Parmesan. Grated cheese can be added not only to pasta but to soups, potatoes, vegetables, roasted chicken pieces, pies and so on. Vanilla custard and croissants would have made a trifle with any jam lurking in the cupboard. In the meantime that brainless woman bought some ready made puddings for her family… What a dingbat!. Salad stuff (a kilo!) can be blended as a soup with the addition of a little milk, some water with a cube of stock and, if any, some left-over cream. She also threw away some squashy tomatoes. It is very simple to use those. Just fry a couple of onions in olive oil; roughly chop the toms with their skins on. Add a pinch of whatever herbs you have on the shelf, a half cube of stock, a teaspoon of sugar or honey, the same of vinegar and freshly ground pepper. Add a little water so it does not stick at the bottom of the pan. Simmer for about 10 minutes. You have a marvellous sauce for pasta, meat or vegetables. Check seasoning. Left-over pasta will reheat well in the oven. Add a little white sauce, or cream, even just milk. Mashed potatoes mixed with left-over flaked fish and a little flour will turn into scrumptious fish cakes that will beat the chemical pathetic offerings from that dirty old man wearing a paper captain cap on the well-known packet of frozen rubbish so common in lower grade supermarkets. I know. It takes a little time but why not cut on the hours wasted watching some inane soap on TV? Get going in the kitchen with a glass of wine. To make a casserole or stew for ten portions does not take longer than to make is for two. Freeze by portions. Some of the margarine or yogurt tubs are strong enough to be washed and used as containers with foil on top. Always put a label on anything that you will store in the freezer. No need to spend money on special bags, special labels, special pens that the supermarkets sell at a vast profit. Your local stationary shop has got adhesive labels. The ordinary felt tip pen you use daily will do the trick and if you keep the clear plastic bags that the traders are so fond of using you are all set to pack your freezer. That woman also threw a whole loaf of bread in the rubbish. In France bread was sacred in my days. For large families it came in 3 kilos loaves. By law it had to be weighed by whoever sold it. If it was short in weight a piece was cut from an already used loaf with a bread cutting machine which is collector’s item now and added to the loaf. This odd piece was the perk of whoever was dispatched to get the daily bread and was promptly eaten on the way home. Before cutting into the new bread my grandmother used to draw a cross with a knife on its underbelly. Odd, considering that we were a totally atheist family. Nevertheless throwing bread away was not even thought of. It was grated to make crumbs, toasted to be spread with lard (cholesterol had not yet arrived on the scene), cubed and roasted in the old range oven to add to soups or vegetables. If, on its last leg, there were some signs of greenery on it the dogs, cats or chicken were happy to gulp it with a bit of sour milk or the last dredges of last night sauce from the casserole. Or water. No human or animal could afford to be fussy in those days. Times are a-changing. I know; but times have got a habit to come full circle. Me thinks that a circle is about to close up. Anybody who throws bread or any other edible matters into the bin should carry a government warning on his/her forehead. Because otherwise it will be going into that big landfill. Once going it will be gone. The circle will be complete.

APOLOGIES TO WRITERS -  On the website articles were published under the wrong names, because of a glitch in the new programme. We apologise for the inconvenience and trouble caused by this error. The problem has now been rectified. 

CHIPIONA, CADIZ Take a peek at this lovely, artistic town west of SanLucar, tucked away in a corner at the mouth of the Guadalquivir River. It has a 13th century castle, Roman ruins nearby and lovely clean beaches with huge lighthouse at the end of one. Enjoy a browse round town, a great seafood lunch with a glass of the famous Moscatel and then swim or stroll on one of the beaches. LOS INFIERNOS DE LOJA The town of Loja on the Genil River has some hidden delights. Enjoy a walk round the old part to see the octagonal tower of the Church of Santa Maria de la Encarnación, the baroque Hermitage of the Virgin of Caridad and the Alcazba before heading out to Los Infiernos de Loja, very pretty rapids and waterfalls with prehistoric sites nearby at La Esperanza and Manzanil. You can take your car or walk the 13 kms if you are feeling energetic! ALMUÑECAR CASTLE POTTERY Spend a lovely morning exploring the town and visit the Alfareria del Castillo (the castle) where you will find the town´s last pottery. They specialise in chicken and fish shaped dishes. Admire the views while there! Open Mon to Fri 11.30 to 2, 4 to 7pm There´s a History Museum too then after a scrumptious fishy lunch while away the afternoon on the beach. The coastline here is lovely with coves and headlands to explore. MONDA Delightful, historic Monda, set on the sides of a small hill upon which perches the castle (now a luxury hotel) is surrounded by olive groves and farmland. The Museum Mari Gloria was a bakery for many years and now houses utensils and furniture and artefacts from the past. The 16th century Parish Church was restored a few years ago and is worth a visit for its chapels and a baroque vault. The Fuente de La Jaula is a covered public washing place with open archways at the front and a permanent flow of water feeding it. Try lunch in Monda castle or even clay pidgeon shooting at tthe Marbella Gun and Country Club. Tourist Info in the Town Hall on C/ Jose Macias. CARCABUEY, SUBBETICA While away an enjoyable time in the lovely town of Carcabuey. Walk the walls of the medieval castle for stunning views and the Hermitage of Virgen del Castillo with its beautiful cupola. See the Fuente de los Caños made out a single piece of rock. Visit the renaissance church of La Assunción for the baroque statues and Tuscan pillars. Don’t miss the Pieta in the 18th century Temple of Angustias or the 17th century church of San Marcos. In the centre of town is the Hermitage of Santa Ana which is home to Virgen de La Aurore celebrated in the Fiesta del Toro Cuerda in August. Taste local potato dishes, Scrambled Eggs, Gazpacho, Porra and Migas with Orange. From the A333 to Priego de Córdoba take the A339 to Carcabuey. CAC MALAGA Need a break from the sun and sand, then visit the CAC Malaga in C/ Alemania for an exhibition of work by German artist Daniel Richter. His oil paintings are abstract based on a critique of society, history and politics. Something a little different. Open Tues- Sun 10am-8pm till 13th July. NEW MUSEUM IN CAMPILLOS Newly opened in April, the Centro de Interpretación de Campillos is an exhibition on the history and culture of the villages in the Guadalteba area. It compares past rural and urban life and work with the present in the form of photographs, displays and hands-on artefacts. It also focuses on the work of women and children´s games ISTÁN Set between the coast and the hills of Ronda, Istán is a place of water and light! Fountains and aquifers cool the air as you take a tour. There´s the Church and Hermitage of San Miguel, lots of lovely fountains and, best of all, several lovely miradors each with its own views. Enjoy a meal in a bar or restaurant where they serve Cod, Rabbit and Cabbage Stew. ST. JOHN´S NIGHT ON THE COAST This is a great celebration to join in if you are on the coast as bonfires are lit on the beaches, stuffed cloth figures are burnt at midnight and there is music, dancing and feasting. The Fiesta dates back to the pagan festival of the Misummer Solstice. When the fires have died down, people jump over them. According to tradition, St. John´s is magical and they say if you swim in the sea or wash your face with sea water at midnight you will be eternally beautiful! PATIO FESTIVAL IN CÓRDOBA This annual event offers the chance not only to see some wonderful patios filled with the most beautiful flowers and scent, but to enjoy flamenco, guitar and dance concerts in patios, squares, churches and parks. The Festival runs from 7 to 18th May. Get details from the Tourist Office or from the internet where patios and events are listed. There is also a Flamenco Festival ´Cruzando El Rio´on 16th and 17th May in Parque de Miraflores at 11pm. Nigüelas (Lecrin Valley) Off the N323 Granada to Almuñecar follows signs for Dorcal then Niguelas. There are good walks from the village, into the national park. A good walk can be found down in the valley, across the river towards the head of the gorge. You can take a route to the Alpujarras town of Lanjaron from here which is about 4,5 hours. The “Almazara de las Laerillas”, olive mill from the 15th century is well worth a visit. Also the church “San Juan Bautista” in a mudéjar style at the end of the 15th century, Nigüelas town hall is an old mansion from the 17th century and has a beautiful garden named “Jardín Romantico” where you can rest and step back in time with the fountains and pine trees. There are other Moorish buildings like the “Aljibe” (rainwater reservoir), Break the day up by going to the outskirts of the village on the road towards Durcal for lunch in a picturesque old water mill, converted to a restaurant called Alqueria de los Lentos for good food and a friendly atmosphere. PEPIS REFUGE CAR TREASURE HUNT Saturday 24 May Starting from Fuente de Piedra at 11 am. 10 euros per person. Including Lunch A choice of main course and dessert + coffee For more information and to reserve tickets, please come and see us at one of our Book Stalls at:- Tuesday Farmers market, Velez Malaga, Wednesday Market Saydo Hotel, Mollina to book BY telephone call: Pat 952 03 18 21, Lynda 658 14 72 91 or Hilary 952 73 61 56 All proceeds raised go to looking after the 51 abandoned dogs currently housed at the refuge.

APOLOGIES TO WRITERS -  On the website articles were published under the wrong names, because of a glitch in the new programme. We apologise for the inconvenience and trouble caused by this error. The problem has now been rectified.