Kubaneando

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4.88 avg. rating (97% score) - 24 votes

Kubaneando was held at the Spanish Centre on the 27th of September 2014.

All the greats were present for the Kubaneando fiesta- Dj Kubanito, Eric Turro, El Moro, Chukale, Romina Anaquin and yours truly “Mr Mojito” with his timbiriche. This one was a night to be remembered. I am almost certain that even those souped up on Mojitos would remember the spectacular dancing of El Moro and Romina Anaquin (see photos below), the soulstifying grooves of Chukale, and the ever so gargantuan presence of Dj Cubanito.

A cake in the shape of a domino with the Cuban flag decorated over it was up for grabs in the raffle. The theme was obviously Cuba – and even though there was a poor turnout for the Cuban Domino tournament, the Cuban Rum flowed in quantities, Cuban salsa was on the dance menu, Cuban Arroz Congri and bistek Cubano.

I had brought large quantities of organic mint and fresh limes from the garden, and the newly built timbiriche (beach kiosk/bungalow) was a great success!

Some of the guests came in a mini-bus from Northern New South Whales – they were here for the salsa workshop and also for my Mojitos!

The Kubaneando party was a great night. I had a blast, I am sure that next year will be even bigger!

Please note - you may not use or reproduce these photographs without my written permission.
Mr Mojito’s timbiriche – the beach kiosk.
Stefania Serna
Stefania Serna owning it – Chukale spectacular
Danny Guerrero and Amigo on vocals
Gus Cereijo – Chukale
Steele Chabau in the background on Electric Bass
Bongo with Soul – Bongo con alma
Foosball at the Spanish Centre
The field where great things happen.
El Moro with Romina Anaquin
El Moro con Romina Anaquin
El Moro and Romina Anaquin – Casino dancing
Romina Anaquin and her dance partner El Moro.
Domino Cake – Decorated with edible Cuban flag.
Dj Cubanito – friendly giant.
Eric Turro – MC on the night of Kubaneando

How to make homemade grape juice

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Muscat grapes in the sink
Muscat grapes washed thoroughly
Into the pot…
Boiled till soft mash
Let them cool down a little
Strained through the colander
Filtered through strainer
The final product – homemade grape juice.

How to make homemade grape juice

How to make homemade grape juice a quick tutorial by Henry Gomez.

The Indian Myna bird has successfully managed to shoot to the top of the list of animal pests introduced in Australia – way past cane toads, rats and stupid neighbours. This year, I had to pick the grapes off my muscat vine earlier than I would have liked to because those birds were gorging themselves on my fruits.

Once I collected the grapes off the vine, I was ready to make Moût. I recall as a child after the grape harvest in Geneva ,they would sell grape juice at La Migros and La Coop, it was great and that is when I may have developed my love for red wine.

Over the last couple of years, I used to pluck each grape individually off the bunch to make juice, but I have since talked to a friend who suggested I try this technique:

The method:

1) Wash all of the grapes thoroughly in a large container or in your kitchen sink. Remove any leaves, twigs and sticks etc…

2) Dry the grapes (only kidding)

3) Place the grapes in a pot with boiling water. I fill the pot approximately 3/4 of the way up – if you use too much water, it’ll boil over and make a jolly good mess.

3) Boil the grapes until they become soft and fall off the stem on their own – this usually takes around 30 minutes. Your kitchen will light up with deliciously sweet fragrances…

4) Place the grapes in a colander and squash them till you only have seeds, skins and stems left – make sure you place a container under the colander to catch the grape juice!

5) Repeat this step a couple of times with the colander, and then again with a strainer.

6) You can put the juice in a jug or storage container like a used Coke bottle and add sugar to taste.

This juice can be placed in the fridge once it has cooled down. It is a refreshing beverage in the morning, full of vitamins and anti-oxidants. The only downside is there is no alcohol content.

:(

Check out the deep, dark purple colour. It reminds of a bottle of Grenache I shared with Michel Blanc at Chateau-Neuf-du=Pape in 2007, or was it 2006??

Crow’s Nest – Party, Paella and Pétanque

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4.93 avg. rating (98% score) - 15 votes

Crow’s Nest – Party, Paella and Pétanque

If you want to head out to Crow’s Nest, make sure you have alternative communication plans as mobile carrier towers are far and few in between – just like neighbours.

Crow’s Nest – Party, Paella and Pétanque – it was a milestone to be remembered and most of all, celebrated!!  It was my brother’s quarter of a century celebration and Mum and Dad organised a traditional Spanish Paella. I brought my pétanque set so we could throw some balls around just for fun.

The drive from Brisbane takes around 1.5 hours if you drive via Esk (this was a recommendation from my brother) and it was very picturesque. The road was fine – until we reached Crow’s Nest, but we then had to drive about 5klm’s on a dirt road. The weather was also welcoming so we had no dramas.

If you want to head out to Crow’s Nest, make sure you have alternative communication plans as mobile carrier towers are far and few in between – just like neighbours. And there seems to be more cattle than humans out here, so you won’t feel lonely.

Mum made her trademark paella and everyone agreed it was delicious! It was great to spend the day out and away from the city. I imagine living in the country would be very relaxing (if you don’t have too many animals to take care of…)

Finally, I bought my brother a board game we used to play when we were younger – Stratego. But this is the new version – it’s called Stratego Transformers. You can play it normal style or with a Transformer Twist. I let my brother beat me this time as it was his birthday. Well done broski!

We had a great time and it was definitely worth the drive.

Crow’s Nest, Qld
Queenslander!
Girl with flamenco habanico

The Spanish Centre – Feria de Abril

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The Spanish Centre – Feria de Abril

The Spanish Centre – La Feria de Abril 2014. It was the 12th of April 2014 and this typical Seville Festival was organised at the Spanish Centre, Acacia Ridge. It was a great success as Spanish foods including Jamon Serrano, Quesos and tapas (Patatas Bravas, Chorizo, Gambas al ajillo and more) were on display and available for purchase. There were also Vinos Tintos (Spanish Red Wines), Cervezas and Sangria to wash the food down with. The foosball table got a great work out and so did the dance floor.

Griffith University’s School of Linguistics was present and offering information about their Spanish courses for those who want to learn Español.

But the highlight of the night was when the show started as 3 fiery and passionate Flamenco dancers came out and delivered a spectacular display of traditional Flamenco dancing and singing. Flamenco Del Mar (lead by Marina Tamayo) and their guitarist demonstrated vivid red coloured dresses, castañetas and classical Spanish guitar. They brought the entire club to their feet and stomping their heels, clapping their hands. The party got hot, real hot and it was time for another cerveza. Olé!!!

The Spanish Centre is a social club that promotes soccer, Spanish Foods, Spanish Drinks and other cultures. It is a not profit organisation located at 244 Mortimer Road, Acacia Ridge. The Spanish Centre can be contacted on (07) 3277 1612.

Gardeners of the world unite…

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5.00 avg. rating (99% score) - 32 votes

Plantswap is here!

The new plantswap.com.au website is finally here for all you gardeners to enjoy! The concept is quite simple, you join by registering  your free user account and start posting in forums. Imagine you’d just cleaned out your garden, and have a bunch of plants you are about to take to the tip, but instead you’ve put a post on plantswap… Imagine the joy that another plant lover would see the post and contact you by email and he/she organises to come over to take the plants away for you – that’s pretty awesome right?! It’s a win-win situation. In other instances, you may even be able to get some free help – for example if you have a bamboo grove you no longer like and you put an ad on plantswap.com.au asking for people to come over and dig up the bamboo and take it home for free. That’s another win-win situation.

Obviously the site is moderated for people looking for marijuana and other such “exotic” and illegal plants.

I came up with this idea since my wife has been looking for a banana plantain sucker to use in our cooking. This plant is quite popular in South East Asia and Latin America. I am aware that there are plantain trees in Australia but have not been able to find one. Does anyone have one they would like to part with? I have a bunch of plants I could swap you for it!