The Best Salmorejo Recipe

Salmorejo is a delicious thick and creamy cold soup originating from the South of Spain. It consists of very few ingredients and that’s precisely why it tastes so good. It’s composition is direct, using hardy and healthy ingredients one can source from within their own backyard garden. Before we dive into the simple recipe, we wanted to shed some light on the origin of this incredible soup to give some context to its popularity.

Photo by Erik Mclean

The origins of Salmorejo

In Cordoba (the city within Andalucia, part of the Iberian Peninsula in the South of Spain), the weather gets very hot! In fact, it has the highest summer temperatures in Spain and Europe! With the city bustling under the summer sun, sipping on a cold Salmorejo soup is arguable just as delightful as sipping on a chilled glass of sangria. It has become a go-to dish which can be served as its own meal or as a starter. With a climate like that in Cordoba, only certain crops can withstand the heat and survive through sparse rainfall. Of the crops that do grow well, olives, grains, grapes and tomatoes are some of the most fruitful. Taking this into consideration, Salmorejo is an ideal meal because it only requires a few ingredients which are readily available. It also has an incredible texture which is smooth and thick, the perfect combination to fill your stomach without the heaviness of dense proteins during the summer months in Spain. The history of this dish isn’t entirely clear, though it is very likely that it was a common meal even before the 15th Century.

---

Gazpacho versus Salmorejo

For many people, Gazpacho and Salmorejo are essentially the twin dishes, cold soup made mostly from tomatoes. While they similar, they are more like cousin dishes versus twin dishes for a few reasons. To start, the texture of Salmorejo is thicker and smoother than the chunkier and thinner Gazpacho. This is because the amount of bread blended inside the Salmorejo creates a creamier experience. People from the South of Spain praise this aspect because of how soothing the soup is during the hot summer climate! Also, the Salmorejo uses few very simple ingredients whereas the Gazpacho will add in some extra vegetables such as peppers or onions. This can sometimes contribute the overall texture from being super creamy, to a little chunkier. Finally, traditionally the Salmorejo is served in a wider soup bowl, whereas the Gazpacho would likely be served in a taller glass to sip from. While that last one is a more subtle serving detail, it’s something you might recognize when eating at a restaurant. Although very similar, these two soups do have their differences and foodies around the world have created conversations based solely around this debate.

Photo by Erik Mclean

---

To vinegar or not to vinegar your Salmorejo

At some point in history (around the 18th Century), it became optional (some say popular) to add vinegar to Salmorejo. This was a unique way to add some brightness to the overall flavor profile in combination with the acidic tomatoes, the creamy graininess from the blended bread, the garlic and the oil. It also helped to shift the color of the soup from a lighter red/pink to a deeper, more saturated red. This ‘modern’ approach was well received and adapted by culinary enthusiasts and restaurants across Spain. That said, the vinegar isn’t part of the original/traditional recipe, however to make a Salmorejo you can opt to add or not add vinegar to your version.

---

The Best Salmorejo Recipe

In our humble opinion, we believe that simple ingredients should speak for themselves. In this case, Salmorejo only uses a few ingredients and each one should shine in harmony with the rest. As mentioned above, vinegar is an optional ingredient which we choose not to include in this recipe. To us, this makes the best recipe for Salmorejo and stays true to the original recipe. It respects how beautiful a soup can be with such a minimal amount of ingredients. This recipe is coming directly through the family of one of our Native Spanish Instructors who grew up in Spain. She learned this recipe while growing up and is proud to share it with you all. To get started, you will need:

Ingredients You Will Need:

- 1kg (a bit more that 2 pounds) of ripe tomatoes. This is the most important ingredient.
- 200gr of artisan bread (7oz?) in slices
- Extra virgin olive oil. This is the second most important ingredient. It’s wise to choose a good extra virgin olive oil!
- 1 hardboiled egg
- 1 clove of garlic
- A pinch of salt
- Serrano ham (to decorate)

How to prepare the Salmorejo

- Wash the tomatoes, cut them in pieces and grind them with the blender.
- Put the tomato juice in a big bowl and add the bread slices. Let the bread soak in the tomato juice for about 5 minutes. 
- Second blend: add the salt and the garlic and blend until the soup is an even texture and the bread is completely broken down. You can experiment with how much bread you add: that's the way you'll change the texture!
- Add the olive oil little by little while continuing to blend until it reaches a beautiful orange color.
- Follow the Spanish tradition and decorate it with diced hardboiled egg, sliced serrano ham and some drops of extra virgin olive oil.

---

Spanish Vocabulary

Try practicing your Spanish with these helpful vocabulary terms!

Los ingredientes (the ingredients)
Los tomates (tomatoes)
El pan (bread)
El aceite de oliva (olive oil)
El ajo (garlic)
La sal (salt)
El huevo fresco / El huevo cocido (fresh egg / hardboiled egg)
El jamón serrano (serrano ham)
Lavar (to wash)
Cortar (to cut)
Triturar (grind)
Añadir (add)
Mezclar (mix)
Servir (serve)
Decorar (decorate)
Comer (to eat)
Los utensilios (utensils)
La tabla de cocina (the board)
El cuchillo (the knife)
La batidora (The blender)

---

Gracias!

We hope you find this recipe as delicious as we do! Don’t forget to ‘heart’ this post and share with your friends. If you made the Salmorejo using the recipe above, email us your pictures! Our favorite ones might just get featured on our Instagram account!

Spending the Holidays in Latin America? These are 5 Phrases You Need To Know.

Felices Fiestas compadres! If you’re spending the holidays in Latin America, you might notice that we Latinos do things a little different. After learning these five phrases, you’ll be tossing back coquito and making sure you’re first in line to eat lechón. But be warned...you may find yourself a little more than tipsy on New Year’s Eve, eating exactly 12 grapes while swinging empty luggage around the block.

---

(Puerto Rican coquito)

If you find yourself in Puerto Rico in December, you may hear a lot of rumbling about a parranda. A parranda is a Puerto Rican music tradition and THE social event of the season. Expect a group of friends at your front steps playing loud live music until you let them in. Trumpets, guitars, the whole works. It’s a pachanga, baby! Once inside, the guests are greeted with treats like mofongo (mashed plantains), arroz con dulce (rice pudding), and coquito, whose coconut-sweet goodness puts American eggnog to shame. Warning: NEVER, I repeat, NEVER say whose recipe you liked better. Doing so is a slippery slope and you will become the social pariah of the holidays. Seriously, don’t mess with Puerto Ricans and their coquito.

---

Nochebuena

Nochebuena is the night of Christmas Eve. In a lot of Latin American cultures, this is a bigger feast than Christmas Day itself, and it features a big family dinner centered around lechón. Physically, lechón is a roasted pig, but emotionally it’s much much more than that. Cooking it takes sweat, dedication, and a whole lot of love. In Cuban tradition, lechón is cooked in a ‘Caja China’ (a large box) below hot coals. Alongside this good food is a night of drinking and dancing until you stumble your way over to Misa De Gallo (Midnight Mass) which concludes the Christmas celebrations.

---

Para pedir Posadas:

(A holiday-themed pinata fest)

In English, this literally translates to ‘asking for a place to stay.’ The translation may sound odd, but the tradition is rooted back in the biblical story of the Nativity. Celebrated in multiple Latin countries, Las Posadas begins on December 16th and ends on Christmas Eve. These nine days or ‘novena’ represent the nine-month pregnancy of Mary. What follows is this: two people dress up as Mary and Joseph and visit houses designated as “inns.” The community walks down the street, singing songs until one house finally lets them in. At the end of each night, everyone celebrates with Christmas carols, food, and piñatas for the kids.

¡Cantemos villancicos!

“Let’s sing carols!” ‘Villancicos’ are Christmas Carols, and the people who sing them are called ‘Cantantes de Villancicos.’  No matter which Latin American country you’re in, you’ll find yourself singing. Make sure to pack some herbal teas and keep that voice warm, because you’ll have a tiring but delightful evening. Here are some villancicos en español (that aren’t “Feliz Navidad”) to get you into the spirit. 

¡Feliz Año Nuevo! / ¡Feliz Año!

 (Año Nuevo in Cartagena)

Just like their other celebrations, Latinx people throw the best New Years parties, infused with some special traditions. Some are universal, like eating twelve grapes (each representing one month of the year) as a symbol of good luck. Others are a bit more unique. In Colombia, people walk around the block with an empty suitcase for hopes of traveling more in the New Year. In Chile, you must sweep the house from inside out to erase the past. For Cubans, throwing a bucket of water outside does the trick. All over Latin America, traditions run deep when ringing in the new year!

---

We hope you enjoy your holiday season, and if you find yourself in Latin America, don’t forget to take these phrases with you! Felices Fiestas!

Comment below and let us know your favorite tradition!

JP Linguistics Holiday Gift Guide 2018 - Our Favorite (Authentic) Gifts From Around The World

JP Linguistics Holiday Gift Guide 2018
Our Favorite (Authentic) Gifts From Around The World

The holidays are upon us and, this year, we wanted to round up a few of our favorite (authentic) foreign brands and share unique products with you, ideal for stocking stuffers and holiday gifts. Why did we create this guide? It’s because we know that sometimes around this time of year, gift-giving can feel like an obligation rather than a genuine act of kindness towards someone else. So, instead of picking up a random gift for someone just because, we wanted to introduce you to some (foreign) brands we love to make your gift giving more unique and thoughtful. What we look for in brands we love is authenticity and this guide has just that. We’ve included brands from France, Italy, Spain and South American (some of whom we know personally, but none of which we are being paid to advertise for) such as Le Slip Français, Mille Feuille Bakery, Asaro, Leone, Jolii Cosmetics, 1880, Ecoalf and more.

In addition, some of these brands have incredible philosophies that we are proud to support. For example, Ecoalf is a company from Spain that upcycles waste found in our oceans to create some of their products including shoes. Marianella Asto is an artisan from Peru who handcrafts alpaca wool gloves and sells them via her shop online with UNICEF. Asaro is a family-run organic olive farm based in Sicily that manually harvests their olives (making all of their products GMO and chemical free). Learn more about these brands by browsing through the entire guide which you can download below. The PDF includes links to each product for easy shopping. We hope you enjoy and, if you happened to buy any, let us know! We’d love to hear about your experience and if you love them just as much as we do.

Happy Holidays from all of us at JP Linguistics!

HALLOWEEN + DAY OF THE DEAD, 3 DAYS OF TRADITION

HALLOWEEN + DAY OF THE DEAD, 3 DAYS OF TRADITION

Boo! While Americans prepare fancy costumes to spook their neighbors through the traditions of Halloween on October 31st, natives of many Latin American countries simultaneously prepare to celebrate their Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos) on November 1st & 2nd. Together, both holidays create a 3-day festival of traditions that honors and celebrates deceased loved ones in multiple countries across the world. Whether you celebrate these holidays or not, we hope to shed some light on the eerie traditions behind Halloween + Day of the Dead, 3 Days of Tradition. Enjoy the read...if you dare!

HALLOWEEN

The start of these celebrations begins with Halloween (also known as All Saint's Eve or All Hallow's Eve) on October 31st. Traditions behind this holiday include praying for and honoring recently deceased saints (hallows), martyrs and faithfully departed loved ones. The tradition is to pray for the souls of the deceased who may be living in purgatory so that they might be considered for acceptance into heaven. The more prayers and offerings the living provides for the departed, the more chances of them getting in to heaven.

It is thought that Halloween stems from pagan roots from Ireland which were converted into Christian traditions after being brought to the colonization of North America. On October 31st (the end of harvest and the start of winter), it is said that the boundary between the living world and the 'otherworld' thinned. Meaning, the souls of the departed could more easily enter the living world. Thus, traditions were born such as wearing costumes and going door-to-door to collect candies from neighbors. Originally, this was done as a way for people to dress up on behalf of the departed to receive an offering. If an evil spirit had entered the living world, it was thought that dressing up protected oneself from their harm. In more modern times, we've adopted the idea of wearing scary costumes as a way to frighten evil spirits who were able to cross over on October 31st. This curious evening is followed by All Saint's Day (or All Hallow's Day) on November 1st which is dedicated to honoring all saints and martyrs, followed by All Soul's Day on November 2nd which is dedicated to celebrating the lives of faithfully departed loved ones and relatives.

---

DAY OF THE DEAD (DIA DE LOS MUERTOS)

Originating in Mexico but observed across most of Latin America, the two-day Dia de los Muertos celebration commences on November 1st and concludes on November 2nd each year. Typically, November 1st is reserved as the day to honor deceased babies and youth, which is why it is commonly known as Día de los Inocentes (or Day of the Innocents) or Día de los Angelitos (or Day of the Little Angels). November 2nd is then reserved as the day to celebrate deceased adults and it is called Día de los Muertos or Día de los Difuntos (or Day of the Dead). Latin Americans traditionally gather together with friends and family, share a lavish meal and decorate burial plots or in-home shrines of loved ones using items such as marigolds (flower of the dead), sugar skulls, food and various decorations. Those who celebrate this holiday believe that the deceased are awakened in spirit form from their eternal sleep during Dia de los Muertos to spend time with family and friends. Often, these celebrations are viewed in a positive light as to 'party' with the dead, versus grimly mourning the loss.

Image Credit: Luisroj96 (wikimedia.org)

---

DAY OF THE DEAD RECIPES

Food is a very big part of most Latin celebrations and Dia de los Muertos is no exception. Check out these delicious dishes (and drink) below - the perfect items to bring to that costume party you were invited to this year. Fair warning, you might be hungry after reading these recipes. Enjoy!

Pan De Muerto

Image Credit: Muy Bueno

• 1 stick of unsalted butter
• ½ cup milk
• ½ cup water
• 5 to 5 ½ cups all-purpose flour, divided
• 2 packages active-dry yeast
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon whole anise seed
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons orange extract
• Zest of one orange
• 4 eggs
• Orange glaze (see below) (optional)

(Recipe by Muy Bueno)

Marigold Muerte Drink

Image Credit: tikkido.com

• 1 oz marigold-infused simple syrup
• 1 oz Limoncello
•  6 oz Vinho Verde sparkling white wine
•  ice

(Recipe by Tikkido.com)

Passinas

Image Credit: tryanythingonceculinary.com

• ½ cup milk
• one ¼ oz. packet active dry yeast
• ¾ cups Zulka granulated sugar
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 tsp. lemon zest
• 1 tbsp. orange zest
• 1 ½ tsp. cinnamon
• 4 cups flour
• 1 tsp. anise seeds
• ¾ cup softened butter
• 2 eggs
• ¾ tsp. baking powder
• 1 cup raisins
• 1 cup chopped almonds
• 1 cup chopped walnuts

(Recipe by tryanythingculinary.com)

---

HORROR MOVIES (EN ESPAÑOL OF COURSE!)

Very common during Halloween, horror movies are a great way to get that adrenaline pumping while snacking on the couch. You may have seen a few horror movies in your lifetime, but have you seen them en Español? These teeth-clenching, edge-of-your-seat films are popular among Latin thrill-watchers and we hope you like them...if you can handle the suspense. Click each image to watch the corresponding trailer for each horror flick.

---

HABLO ESPAÑOL

Think you know your Day of the Dead vocabulary? Test your skills with these Spanish words and phrases below. If you don't know them yet, they are bound to impress your friends and family on Dia de los Muertos. Have a few favorites you don't see on the list? Don't forget to add them in the comment's section below and we'll continue building this list for future readers.

Elaltar de muertos - an offering prepared for a deceased person

La calavera de azúcar - a sugar skull

Las caretas - a mask worn to scare off the spirits at the end of the Dia de los Muertos celebration

Las catrinas - skeletons dressed like wealthy women, which represent death

El cempasúchil - a Mexican marigold

Los gollettes - doughnut-shaped bread typically topped with pink sugar, that are placed on a shrine of a deceased person

La iluminación - a ceremony that takes place in a cemetery, during which hundreds of lit candles are believed to guide spirits to their shrines

---

Loved reading Halloween + Day of the Dead, 3 Days of Tradition? Invite your family and friends to join in on the fun by subscribing HERE. Don't forget to post your questions and comments in the section below and visit our website HERE to learn more about our Private Lessons or Group Classes! Gracias e buenas dia!

5 Places You Must Visit in Cuba

5 Place You Must Visit in Cuba

Want to escape the Big Apple for a few days without breaking the bank? Go to CUBA! Starting Fall 2016, JetBlue will be the first airline to offer non-stop flights between JFK and La Havana. So get excited to start preparing for the road to Cuba by discovering a 5 destinations you must visit while you are there. Sit back, relax and enjoy the read! 

As an America citizen traveling to Cuba you will need:

1. An authorization form OFAC to travel to Cuba OR a Specific or General License to travel.
2. A U.S. Passport that is valid at least six months from the return date and at least 2 blank pages in the passport when boarding.
3. Health Insurance that covers you in Cuba (Jetblue includes this $25 surcharge in their fare)
4. A Visa (can be purchased at a U.S. airport for $50)
5. There are 2 Currencies in Cuba but they are in the process of unifying them. $1 = 1CUC

After you have these items, get ready for adventure with these 5 things you absolutely must do while you are in town.

---

1. Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes de La Habana

The National Museum of Fine Arts of Havana in Cuba is a museum of Fine Arts that exhibits Cuban Art collections from the colonial times up to the modern and contemporary generations. This museum has 3 floors full or international Art from 500 BC to the modern days with an extensive Spanish collection including a work from El Greco! They also have 2000-year-old Roman mosaics and Greek pots from the 5th century BC. Definitely a must see for the History Lovers! Start Planning here! 

Image Credit: Clara Luz Domínguez Amorín

---

2. Old Havana and its Fortification System

Founded in 1519 by the Spanish, Havana quickly became the centro for ship-building in the Caribbeans. It has the biggest density in the area with around 2 millions inhabitants. The most incredible thing is that Havana has preserved the pattern of the early urban setting with its 5 plazas, each with a specific architecture. Walking around Old Havana, you will step back in time, witnessing a mix of baroque and neoclassical style monuments along private and gated houses. Learn more here!

Image Credit: Gareth Williams

---

3. "Che" Guevara Mausoleum 

A huge part of the Cuban History, this museum ought to be visited to get a full understanding of the culture in Cuba. Experience this small museum located, actually, next to Che Guevara's mausoleum. Many of his artifacts are located inside and the museum embodies his teaching. This memorial is located in Santa Clara and it houses the remains of executed Marxist revolutionary Ernesto "Che" Guevara along 29 of his fellow combatants killed in 1967. Start the visit here! 

Image Credit: Alex Schwab

---

4. Parque de Baconao

Located about 20km away from Santiago de Cuba, Baconao Park is what might be the strangest Park! It is supposed to reflect the history and culture of Cuba but you will strangely find 200 roaming dinosaurs. Strangely enough, these dinosaurs were built by inmates from a local prison! The park also holds around 2,500 miniature car models and a lake to refresh yourself, it is not dry! Start the Jurassic experience here! 

Image Credit: Escla

5. La Guarida

Mix your food and your history by eating at La Guarida. The restaurant is rated one of the best restaurants in La Havana. The restored old building entertains guests into this fancy restaurant. The world "fancy" should not turn you down as entrées vary from $15 to $25. The hours of this restaurant are a little odd (8am to 6pm) and you will need reservations (did you review your Spanish for that?)  but it is worth every challenge. You should try some "Arroz Con Pollo," "Boliche," or even some "Moros y Cristianos" Make your reservation here.

---

Image Credit: The Daily Meal

We hope you enjoyed these 5 Places You Must Visit in Cuba! While Cuba is still slowly becoming more available to the U.S. we are so excited to count on another country where New Yorkers can easily discover culture, great food and language without breaking the bank! We'd love to hear about your travels (especially your experiences in Cuba), so please leave a comment below. Looking to learn how to speak Spanish? Don't forget to check out our Spanish Group Classes & Private Lessons at JP Linguistics. Gracias!

5 Spanish Drinks You Must Try

5 Spanish Drinks You Must Try

The Spaniards are to thank for their delicious Sangria which people across the world can appreciate on a hot day, but did you know that they also have a large repertoire of great receipes for other cocktails? In the land of the "siesta", there is nothing better than a comfy hammock, a fresh (Spanish) drink, and a room full of friends and family. Glasses up amigos. Let's dive into a world of wonderful thirst quenching drinks. Salud! 

---

1. Clara De Limón

Spaniards will associate this drink with girls. Whether you care about these stereotypes or not, Clara de Limón is the most refreshing alternative to a simple pint of beer. And, lets face it, if it tastes good who cares! Super easy to make at home: 

Mix: Beer and Lemon Soda (to taste)  

---

2. Kalimotxo

Very unique to Spain, look no further than Kalimotxo. Originally made popular in the Basque country, It is a mix of red wine and Coca-Cola. The drink is common among young Spaniards for its sweet but tart flavors. It is also extremely easy to make at home, and very budget friendly,

Mix: (cheap) Wine and Coke   

---

3. Cava

 Cava is a refreshing, bubbly beverage that can be served in white or rosé. The drink is served cold and is commonly mixed with a variety of fruits. It is pretty much like a Sangria Royale... 

Mix: Champagne, white or rosé wine, fruits

---

4. Rebujito 

In Andalucía during the festival season you should drink Rebujito. Rebujito is a mixed drink made of white sherry and lemon soda or Sprite. It is a perfect drink to resist the heat and sun of the Andalusian life... 

Mix: White sherry & Lemon Soda / Sprite

---

5. Agua de Valencia

This is not your traditional mimosa. You will need cava or champagne, orange juice, vodka and gin. Perfect for your next brunch or midday party; mix together all the ingredients in a large jug or pitcher and share with all your friends!

Mix: Add 250ml cup orange juice, 2 shots of gin, 2 shots of vodka, and one 700ml bottle of cava into a large pitcher. Add in sugar and lemon slices until you reach your desired sweetness!

---

We hope you enjoyed these 5 Spanish Drinks You Must Try! While these cocktails are easy to make at home, we must admit that they are best accompanied by the gorgeous landscape of the streets in Spain, Mexico or South America. We'd love to hear about your travels and good times while drinking these tasty cocktails, so please leave a comment below. Looking to learn how to speak Spanish? Don't forget to check out our Spanish Group Classes & Private Lessons at JP Linguistics. Gracias!