News December 2009

Father Christmas and the Three Kings are busy in their workshops getting ready to surprise the children. Well, the Kings have more time as traditionally in Spain the children put their shoes outside their bedroom doors, and in the early hours of the Epiphany, December 6th, the Kings call in and fill them with presents.

In the towns and villages around the Canary Islands people are putting together their life-size nativity scenes or “Belén” (the Spanish word for Bethlehem), in the town halls and churches.

If you can’t come to Tenerife just yet here is the next best thing: see us on Youtube!

The Fortunate Isles

This is one of the old names for the Canaries. Tenerife has a unique climate with the lowest temperature difference between summer and winter of anywhere in the world, with averages of around 23C in winter and 32C in summer. We owe this good fortune to our location just north of the Tropic of Cancer - making the climate sub-tropical. The steep-sided mountains rise to the crowning glory, Mount Teide, 3,718 metres (12,198 ft.).
It can snow on the Teide, at any time between November and March. It is one of the wonders of the island that sun worshipers can be lying on the beach enjoying temperatures in the mid-20s while glancing up at Teide's peak hidden under a blanket of snow.

The trade winds flow through the Canaries, bringing moist air with them and generating the meteorological phenomenon known as 'horizontal rain' - not rain at all in the true sense but mist that provides a constant source of moisture for the thickly-wooded forests that dominate Tenerife at altitudes between 500 and 1,200 metres.

In the Orotava Valley in the north of the island a cloud sometimes forms which is known locally as “La panza de Burro”, - the donkey’s belly. When you look up it appears soft and grey. For an amazing view of the top of this cloud and the dramatic mountain landscape follow this link. There are only a few places in the world where you can see such a view.

Spanish Christmas treats

Almonds form the basis of Spain’s favourite Christmas sweets or Turrones. Go to any supermarket at this time of year and you will see a mountain of turron of all different types including nougat, marzipan, chocolate almonds, the powdery Polverones and more…

Here is a great almond recipe to try for Christmas - the name means “tastes good to me”!

"Bienmesabe"
Ingredients:
500 g ground or finely chopped almonds
500 g sugar or honey if preferred
½ litre of water
8 egg yolks
Grated peel of one lemon
Cinnamon stick
12 sponge cakes or 'lengua de gato' (cats' tongues) biscuits or similar

The name is given to a wide variety of dishes throughout the Spanish-speaking world, not all of them sweet and often prepared using different ingredients. In the Canary Islands it is a traditional dessert made from almonds, sponge cake, eggs, sugar and lemon. Its origin is probably Arabic, though the islands look upon it as their own.

Preparation: Heat the water and sugar and when hot add the lemon peel and a cinnamon stick, continue boiling to make a syrup which, on lifting the spoon should form a thick strand. When ready put approximately one third of this syrup aside then add the ground almonds to the rest. Put on a low heat and stir gently. Leave to simmer for fifteen to twenty minutes (experts say when the almonds start to "jump" they are ready).
Take the mixture off of the heat and remove the cinnamon stick. Allow to cool then stirring continuously slowly add the beaten egg yolks. Heat the mixture gently in a double-boiler/bain-marie until it thickens, taking care not to let it boil.

Place sponge cake/biscuits dipped in the syrup that you set aside (you can add a few drops of rum of cognac for extra flavour) in the bottom of small, individual dishes or in a large dessert dish and spread the "Bienmesabe" mixture on top. Refrigerate and serve cold with 'lengua de gato' (cats' tongues) biscuits.

Seasons Greetings and happy eating!

Out and about in Tenerife

December to January 7th 2010 at T.E.A. (Tenerife Espacio de Arte) - in Santa Cruz
One of the most notable exhibitions in the official section of this edition of Fotonoviembre is a special show by Thomas Ruff who is one of the most important photographer of the German school of the nineties. The collection is a series of previously unpublished photographs of Tenerife, entitled 'Landscapes / Tenerife' and includes ten large-scale works made for TEA Building

For directions, opening times and more information see www.teatenerife.es

Until 12/12/2009 - Estudio Artizar in La Laguna is the first Spanish gallery to hold an exhibition by the photographer and illustrator Dave McKean. He is well known for his partnership with Neil Gaiman, especially for the cover of the series 'The Sandman'. This collection, attached to Fotonoviembre, is a selection of recent photographic works and a collection of his most famous photographs.

For directions, opening times and more information see www.artizar.es

Music and Ballet lovers take note: From now on the concert hall, Auditorio de Tenerife, has a full programme of festive music including Folk Dancing, The Messiah, Gospel Choir Black Heritage, Symphony concerts and not forgetting the ever popular show Mama Mia!

For information and tickets follow this link: www.auditoriodetenerife.com
For festivals and local events see Tenerife’s official website www.webtenerife.com
For events in Puerto de la Cruz: www.elpuertoescultura.com

We wish all our students, partners, and friends an enjoyable and relaxing holiday.