¡El vino tinto es salud!

Son muchos los estudios que se han publicado sobre los beneficios del vino tinto: es bueno para las dolencias cardiacas, enfermedades mentales, colesterol alto y cáncer de intestino.

El vino además de ser una agradable placer para el paladar, es salud pero siempre si lo tomamos con moderación.

¿Por qué el vino tiene tantos beneficios? Porque las uvas rojas contienen resveratrol químico y parece que esta sustancia retarda el proceso inflamatorio del cuerpo humano y de esta forma favorece el retraso del envejecimiento en general e incluso puede prevenir la sordera. 

Así que podemos seguir tomando vino tinto  (uno o dos vasos al día) y nuestro cuerpo nos lo agradecerá. 

www.macarenasdelicorner.com

Camino la Ermita, el queso artesanal de toda la vida

Hoy os queremos presentar una quesería artesanal ubicada en la cuna de la Ribera de Duero: CAMINO LA ERMITA. Esta quesería nace en 2011 con la intención de diferenciarse del queso comercial ya que se elaboran a partir de la leche de sus propias ovejas. 

¿Conocéis el proceso de elaboración de este queso?

Como os he comentado Camino la Ermita utiliza la leche de su propia ganadería que una vez ordeñada y refrigerada se traslada a la quesería y se vierte directamente en la cuba de cuajar. En esta cuba la leche se calienta al baño maría y se le añade el cuajo, reposa durante 30 minutos y se transforma en "cuajada". 

Cuando la leche está cuajada se corta en pequeños pedazos del tamaño de un grano de arroz y a medida que se va cortando la cuajada se va desuerando (es decir, se separa la parte sólida o cuajada de la parte líquida o suero). La eliminación del suero es muy importante en la elaboración del queso de pasta ya que si el suero se acumula en la pasta las características organolépticas podrían verse alteradas.

Una vez la cuajada está cortada y desuerada se mete en los moldes acompañados de unos pañuelos que ayudan a formar la corteza, se prensa durante unas horas a una determinada presión para que el suero que aun se retiene entre los granos de la cuajada se eliminen y así el queso quede compactado y libre de suero. 

Una vez finalizado el proceso de prensa, los quesos se salan de forma manual por todas las caras y se introducen en la cámara de oreo a una temperatura y humedad determinada para que absorban la sal y formen la corteza.

El proceso de elaboración finaliza con la maduración que es en la fase en la que más cambios se producen en las propiedades fisicoquímicas del queso y que es la que proporcionan las características organolépticas. La maduración se lleva a cabo en unas cámaras a unos 12ºC y 85% de humedad. 

Y este es el resultado.... 3 variedades de queso que harán las delicias de los paladares más exigentes:



El queso semi-curado madurado durante, al menos, 3 meses y que conserva cierto frescor y suavidad de su juventud, pero que nos anticipa lo que será en unos meses, cuando se convierta en curado, dejándonos una persistencia en la boca provocada por la intensidad de su sabor y un regusto picante con matices de leche madurada, recordándonos a ese cuajo de cordero.




El queso curado de textura entre mantecosa y harinosa de intensidad media-alta con aromas a leche madurada; matices a leche condensada o a mantequilla, a su vez, mantiene cierta frescura motivada por sus aromas a frutos secos verdes como la nuez y ya se van vislumbrando los torrefactos, síntoma de el añejado y por ultimo nos deja un postgusto y una persistencia difícil de olvidar, marca del queso curado Camino La Ermita, el cual ha sido afinado durante al menos 7 meses. 

 

Del queso añejo y del aceite virgen extra nace el queso en aceite Camino la Ermita , de entrada suave y final potente hacen de este un bocado lleno de sensaciones

¿Sabéis dónde podéis adquirir alguno de estos productos? Pincha AQUÍ  y Macarena's Delicorner te los lleva a tu casa con tan solo unos clics.  Además si te registras ahora en nuestra web, obtendrás un vale descuento de bienvenida por un importe de 5€. ¿Te vas a quedar sin queso? 

www.macarenasdelicorner.com 

Ribera de Duero Wine Region

One of Spain's truly legendary winemaking regions, the pristinely rural Ribera de Duero in central Spain is home to some of the world's best and most exclusive red wines and an alluring destination forwine tasting tours. Laid out on a sprawling plateau along the banks of the Duero River, just 120km north of Madrid, Ribera del Duero is a land of extremes. Biting winters, sun-bleached summers and high altitudes work hand-in-hand with clayey, silty and limestone soils to create the ideal conditions for Tinto Fino, the local name for the Tempranillo grape, which makes up 95 percent of wine production

The heart of the Ribera del Duero is the Milla de Oro, or Golden Mile, a short strip of land hugging the Duero River (which runs west toward Portugal, slicing through the Spanish wine regions of Toro and Rueda before becoming the Duoro and nourishing Portugal's Duoro and Porto regions).

If you're searching for bold reds, look no further. Ribera del Duero answers the call with aromatic Tinto Fino wines that seduce with their intensity and balance. Miniscule quantities of Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Garnacha, Malbec and Merlot are also grown, although these varieties are used almost exclusively for blending. You can expect a top Ribera del Duero to be above all structured, with good body and powerful fruit flavors that rub shoulders with none-too-subtle woody notes. 

Wine has been made in the area since the Roman era, but in a story repeated throughout the world, it only became widespread with the arrival of monasteries. Although producers have been making world-class wine here for more than a century, the region's true winemaking boom did not come until the late 20th century. These days, however, the region has a sealed reputation for outstanding quality and good value. 

Although Ribera del Duero is above all a rural region, with vast swaths of vineyards standing between each town, several lovely villages are scattered about. Winemaking is centered in the towns of Peñafiel, Roa, Aranda de Duero and San Esteban de Gormaz, which all sit along the banks of the Duero. The region straddles four historic Spanish provinces: Burgos, Segovia, Soria and Valladolid, so monuments including medieval cathedrals, Roman-era constructions, fortresses and castles are within easy driving distance to the vineyards and winemaking villages. Throughout the region, you'll find the hearty countryside cuisine central Spain is famous for: rich pork dishes and delicious cured Spanish Ham, flavorful sheep cheeses, roasted lamb and wonderful stews.

There are some 250 wineries spread across the region's 20,000 hectares of vineyards.

Source: Cellar Tours

Visit www.macarenasdelicorner.com and find out our selection of Ribera de Duero Wines. 

Dry-cured Ham (jamón) and Ham Shoulder (paletilla) , what's the difference?

The important thing is to distinguish between what is a Ham Hind Leg and a Ham Front Leg:

To distinguish the differences in the choice of a dry-cured (pata negra) ham leg you should observe the shape of a ham (hind leg) or shoulder ham (front leg). If you know the differences, you can understand what type of product you are buying.

Ham is a dry-cured hind leg bigger than a Ham Shoulder, with more amount of meat and with more contrast of flavours and taste. It is more expensive but it is worth to pay as it is a premium product. An average weight of a Hamis 7,5 kgs which produces throughly 33 portions of 100 g each of sliced ham. 

A Ham Shoulder is normally more difficult to slice as the ratio meat/bone is smaller therefore you should be a good master slicer to avoid waste. Nevertheless, the ham shoulder it is an excelente product. It is a good solution for a consumption at home because an average weight of a ham shoulder is 4,5 kgs which produces throughly 15 portions of 100 g each of slice ham shoulder, which means to consume a portion each couple of days, and the whole piece in a couple of weeks.

Both are delicious. Don't miss the opportunity to taste them. 

Buena reflexión sobre el vino

Si quieres disfrutar de vinos de la Ribera de Duero, visítanos en macarenasdelicorner.com

Wine without alcohol!

Due to the traditional manner of conceiving wine and the obvious technological difficulties involved, the concept of “alcohol-free wine” has taken some time to reach the market.

2008: Abrobiotec, a member of the Matarromera Group, is the first company in the world to achieve an alcohol-free drink made 100% from high-quality wine, launching Eminasin in its Red, Rosé, White and Red Crianza varieties. The continuous research and development carried out by Matarromera’s R&D&I Department along with ABROBIOTEC have given rise to this new product which, for its presentation and characteristics, constitutes another ‘first’ at worldwide level.

2009: TO DATE, NO WINE-BASED DRINK WITH 0.0% ALCOHOL EXISTED IN THE WORLD. The first 100% alcohol free product arrives with EMINAZERO.

EMINAZERO, a refreshing, healthy drink based on a natural product, namely wine.

Eminazero is characterised by:  

• The same colour as the original wine.
•  80% of the original aroma.
• Very similar flavour, slightly sweeter than the original wine.
• All the positive components of wine; polyphenols, antocyans, salts, minerals, etc.
•  Extremely low sulphite content.
• Carbonic content that makes it refreshing and digestible

E   EMINAZERO WHITE

Made with Verdejo grapes from the finest vineyards of the Rueda region. The Verdejo variety is enormously aromatic and fruity, ideal for making EminaZERO White. In its canned version it has a slight sparkle, which boosts its aromas and reinforces its flavour.

EMINA ROSÉ

Made with the best Verdejo white and Tempranillo red grapes of the Cigales area. The combination gives a product of splendid colour, complemented by the fruit aroma of Verdejo and the powerful structure and richness of Tempranillo. In its canned version it has a slight sparkle, which makes it rounder and meatier in the mouth and reinforces its complexity.

EMINA RED

Made with Tempranillo red grapes from the Duero Valley, it is full-bodied and well-structured, maintaining the colour, aromas and a well-balanced, light structure that recalls red wine but in a healthy, refreshing manner.

Visit Macarena's Delicorner and discover alcohol-free wine! 

                    

Pan con aceite: el desayuno más sano, rico y barato

En estos días en los que nos preocupamos por nuestra salud, somos exigentes a la hora de comer y miramos nuestro bolsillo, podemos desayunar Pan con Aceite. Incluso podemos utilizar el pan que sobre del día anterior, solo tenemos que tostarlo un poco. 

El aceite de oliva de calidad premium no es barato pero basta con un pequeño chorrito y además podemos racionarlo bien si se utiliza una aceitera de ensaladas, con lo que medio litro de aceite nos cundirá mucho. 

Si comparamos el pan con aceite con otros desayunos como comer pan de molde con mantequilla y mermelada, cereales o galletas, este desayuno es más barato,engorda menos, reduce el colesterol y es más natural. 

Si además tienes tiempo por las mañanas y preparas el pan con aceite al estilo catalán, frotando medio tomate cortado, un poco de ajo y sal, el desayuno se convertirá en una de las comidas más ricas del día y además te aportará energía y el ánimo necesario para afrontar la jornada. 

En Macarena's Delicorner ofrecemos una gran variedad de aceites de oliva virgen extra de calidad premium: Con estos aceites prodrá disfrutar de su desayuno todos los días. Todos nuestros aceites son de Jaén y variedad picual. 

Visite nuestra tienda online y descúbralos. Haga clic aquí.

IBÉRICO , the ham for the most demanding palates

There are thousands of reasons to sample a good Iberian ham: its intense flavour, its pleasant texture, its enticing aroma, the sensation it produces on the palate, the way it makes you crave for more... What is more, it is healthy and has become the image of traditional Spanish gastronomy. If you have never tried Iberian ham, you haven't tried ham. Give your palate a gourmet treat and enjoy Iberian ham here in Spain.

Spain has delicious gastronomy, and this is even more true if you are eating ham. The mark to look for is Ibérico, an exclusive, top-quality cured meat. Its quality and unmistakable flavour have made Iberian ham into a product that is highly rated outside Spain. Now, with more extensive international sales, this product is more widely available than ever. Nevertheless, we would recommend you try it on home soil: Spain.

A healthy delicacy for any occasion 

Iberian ham always goes down well. Mid-morning, served in the most Spanish of styles, as tapas. At lunch, as a starter. And for dinner, as hors d'oeuvres, perfect to whet your appetite. It is even ideal for a snack, not only on account of its delicious flavour that always hits the spot, but also because scientific studies have shown that Iberian ham helps to reduce levels of bad cholesterol.

And to complete the appetiser? Serve your plate of Iberian ham with a good wine. If you want to try the ham in an original way, why not have it as they do in Catalonia: with bread and tomato.

Excellence through from the production process

The excellent quality of Iberian ham is the result of a strict, painstaking production process. This detailed process starts in the fields where the pigs are reared, and reaches its long-awaited finale after being cut and served on the plate. To enjoy its flavour to the full, it should be cut in thin slices, not too long. Ideal to appreciate its colour, feel its texture on the mouth, and to enjoy its flavour. This is why in Spain, cutting of ham is considered an art.

Reared in natural surroundings

Iberian ham comes from the Iberian pig, which is reared in liberty in true natural surroundings: the "Dehesas". These are special areas of countryside to be found in several regions of Spain. If you visit them you will have the chance to see the entire ham production process, including aging, when the legs are dried to achieve the characteristic flavour of the Iberian product.

You can sample it all over Spain, because it could well be said that the taste of Iberian ham is the "taste of Spain".

Macarena's Delicorner offers a good selection of Iberian Ham and Spanish wines. 

www.macarenasdelicorner.com

We love TUNA...

Whether you like it fresh or canned, tuna boasts some serious health benefits. It's good for the brain, heart, bones and is definitely kind to the figure. And because it even tastes pretty good straight from the can, there's no wonder it's one of the most eaten fish going around. You might be already as crazy for tuna as we are, but here's 10 things you might not know about the friendly fish.

1. Low in calories: On average there's about 110 calories in a regular can of tuna.

2. High in Omega 3:  Canned tuna has about 95mg of Omega 3 and is one of the best sources you can eat to get your daily dose. 

3. Mood booster: If you're looking for a little cheering up then tuna might just be the trick. Its high Omega 3 and rich tryptophan properties trigger the happy-making neurotransmitters to release more serotonin, which helps to elevate mood and fight off stress. 

4. Long lasting: Canned tuna that has been unopened, undamaged and stored in normal conditions can last up to three years. 

5. It's safe: If you're worried about all the mercury rumours being passed around, don't be. Nearly all fish contains some amount of mercury, but tuna has less than most. 

6. High in vitamin D: Aside from sunlight being the best source of vitamin D, tuna comes pretty close, with one serving having more than one third of a daily dose. Vitamin D is beneficial for your bones by regulating calcium absorption and it's also important for normal growth and development.

7. High in protein: You really can't beat a can of tuna when it comes to getting a quick hit of protein. An average can of tuna contains approximately 17 grams of protein.

8. Versatile fish: Not only is canned tuna a quick and easy snack, it really is more than just fish in a can. Prepare it in salads, pastas, tuna bakes or even top it on your favourite crackers. 

9. Improves concentration: Tuna contains a high level of DHA (docosahexaenoic), an essential fatty acid needed for brain function and growth. In fact, eating a can regularly for breakfast will help to improve your concentration and  productivity throughout the day.

10. Low GI: Tuna will keep you feeling fuller for longer. And because you won't need as much to feel full it means you're less likely to overeat.

Visit Macarena's Delicorner and you will find a great selection of Tuna products.

Picual: the healthiest and most stable variety, with the highest oleic acid and antioxidants content

Picual is the olive variety that offers more oleic acid and antioxidants. These components are responsible of the goodness of olive oil for our health. Its higher polyphenol antioxidant content protects the oil from deterioration and oxidation, just as those same polyphenols protect us.

Thanks to its high level of antioxidants, the picual oil is the most stable olive oil, it is highly resistant to rancidness. Picual retains its quality characteristics, two or three times longer than any other variety of olives.

A good picual olive oil surprises you by its richness of aromas and by its perfect balance of fruitiness, bitterness and peppery.

Visit our site www.macarenasdelicorner.com and have a look at our selection of organic extra virgin olive oils (picual variety).  

The Mediterranean Diet and Spanish Olive Oils

People who live in the Mediterranean region in countries like Spain, Italy and Greece have the lowest rates of heart disease and Alzheimer’s disease, and have the highest adult life expectancies.

Health experts say one secret is the “Mediterranean Diet,” which combines fruits, leafy greens, legumes, whole grains, olive oil and fish, with only small amounts of red meat and wine in moderation.

Recent studies have found that the Mediterranean Diet has a beneficial effect on health and longevity. People live longer overall, while death from illnesses such as heart disease and cancer is reduced by 33%.

Olive oil – The Essential Ingredient

Olive oil is an essential part of the cooking styles and traditional flavors of the Mediterranean Diet. It’s a daily choice for cooks in the region, used to season cooked dishes, salads and vegetables. And on every table you’ll find a bottle olive oil for flavoring foods and dipping bread.
No Mediterranean kitchen is complete without a bottle of quality olive oil. It contains no cholesterol, no sodium, no trans fats, no sugars, and is a rich source of monounsaturated fat — all of which add up to better health.

You can find a great selection of Spanish Olive Oils at Macarena’s Delicorner. 

www.macarenasdelicorner.com

Give anchovies another try

At just the mention of anchovies, most people will turn up their nose and utter an "ewww." And while this reaction is understandable, it is also undeserved. Those who claim to dislike these little fish have in many cases just had a bad experience. Unfortunately, the types of anchovies we normally find atop pizzas are the cheap kind and taste incredibly fishy. 

Anchovies are a powerful, potent ingredient which have been heralded for centuries. They offer an umami quality to recipes - adding depth and complexity to many dishes. They are the secret ingredient to one of the most popular salads - the Caesar salad - and they are present in many steak sauces and beloved Italian pasta dishes. 

With all they have to offer, you just might want to give them another try.

Try top quality anchovies at Macarena's Delicorner and surely you won't regret.

www.macarenasdelicorner.com

Que no te la den con queso

¿Alguna vez os han dado a probar un  vino acompañado con una tapita de queso? Si es así, puedes decir literalmente que te la han dado con queso.

Esta expresión tiene su origen en una trampa que utilizaban los bodegueros antiguamente. Cuando el vino era malo se lo ofrecían a los catadores junto con una tapa de queso, pues resulta que el queso contiene unas proteínas que limitan el poder de degustar otros sabores. De esta forma el catador quedaba satisfecho con el producto y el vendedor conseguía librarse de las peores botellas. Cuando el cliente llegaba a casa y volvía a probar el vino se daba cuenta del engaño. De ahí el significado que le atribuimos actualmente. 

En Macarena's Delicorner no te la damos con queso. Seleccionamos vinos de calidad de la Ribera de Duero (Matarromera y Valtravieso) y queso de oveja Camino la Ermita. El proceso de fabricación de los quesos Camino la Ermita es completamente artesanal y se desmarcan de lo comercial consiguiendo un producto de calidad única. 

www.macarenasdelicorner.com

Que no te vendan gato por liebre

En enero del 2014 el BOE publicó un Real Decreto por el que se aprueba la norma de calidad para la carne, el jamón, la paleta y la caña de lomo ibérico. El objetivo es distinguir las calidades de los jamones, paletas y caña de lomo ibérico de acuerdo al grado de pureza de la raza del cerdo ibérico (raza única en el mundo), alimentación y su manejo (cría en el campo o en granja). 

Se han establecido 4 categorías comerciales que nos ayudarán a identificar los diferentes tipos de productos ibéricos. 

• Brida de color negro: Máxima calidad. Productos que provienen de cerdos 100% ibéricos, solo alimentados con bellota en la dehesa.
• Brida de color rojo: Productos que provienen de cerdos cruzados y alimentados con bellota
• Brida de color verde: Productos que provienen de cerdos de cebo de campo ibérico, es decir alimentados con pienso en explotaciones extensivas o explotaciones intensivas al aire libre
• Brida de color blanco: Productos que provienen de cerdos alimentados con pienso en granjas con movimientos limitados.

En los productos con bridas de color rojo, verde o blanco se deberá indicar el porcentaje de raza ibérica que tiene que ser al menos un 50% ibérico. 

Los productos que comercializamos en Macarena's Delicorner son 100% ibéricos de bellota. Visita nuestra web y descubre nuestros jamones y embutidos con Denominación de Origen Jabugo y Guijuelo. 

www.macarenasdelicorner.com

The production process of Extra Virgin Olive Oil by Oro de Cánava.

The production process of Oro de Cánava oil begins in the olive groves of the partners of this company, which separate the olives from the tree and the ground carefully, thereby, they select the fruit from the beginning in order to obtain an oil that has been recognized as one of the best of the Picual variety repeatedly by its excellent organoleptic characteristics.

The olive that is squeezed in their mill, is from the region of Sierra Mágina, a region that was declared Natural Park and is located in  Jaén. The olive groves that integrate this area are plants with good vigour and large foliaceous development. Given that in some cases the olive altitude surpass the 1,000 feet, trees can be considered from the Sierra, all of which are privileged because of the microclimate in this area.

The campaign begins when the fruit reaches the optimum level of maturity, usually during the month of November. Once the olive is collected from the tree (never mixed with the olive that is on the ground) it is moved to the mill, where it is undergone to a thorough cleaning, first separating the leaves and twigs that could bring and then, if necessary, by a clean water washing from the spring of Cánava, from which our oil takes its name. Subsequently, the olive is crushed by the hammer mill system, in order to break all the cells containing the oil inside of the fruit, passing the mass obtained into the blender machine which gets a compact and homogeneous mass.

This mass using the two phase system is subjected to centrifugation to separate the oily juice (oil) of other components. This is washed always with a maximum temperature of 22 degrees C to remove possible impurities that it could contain. After this process, the oil (on selection of acidity and organoleptic characteristics) is transferred to the deposits of the warehouse. The oil will remain for a while to mature. Constant temperature helps hold our oil becomes finally one of the best natural products for the feeding, from the heart of Sierra Magina.

Visit Macarena's Delicorner if you want to taste our selection of Extra Virgin Olive Oil by Oro de Cánava.