A taste of… Croatia; Atlantic Salmon on the Croatian Coast

May 29, 2008

Fish for Sale Renting a holiday villa in Croatia? Here’s an authentic (and easy) local recipe to try in your cottage kitchen…

Croatia’s lively and colourful markets are intoxicating, and surprisingly welcoming places for foreign visitors. Get up early and you’ll find the freshest Mediterranean fish to choose from. Opt for locally caught Adriatic salmon (4 x 6 oz fillets), then head to the fruit and vegetable stall for fresh asparagus, lemon and rosemary. Make sure you have balsamic vinegar, olive oil, butter and at least a cup of port.

Here goes….

  • On a sheet of grease-proof paper, mix 3 tablespoons of flour with salt and pepper, lightly dip the salmon fillets into the flour, and then set aside.
  • Melt three tablespoons of olive oil and one of butter in a hot frying pan; add the fillets and sauté, turning once, for about 3-4 minutes per side. When they are firm to touch but flake easily, remove from the pan and cover to keep warm.
  • Reduce the heat to medium then add the remaining butter, the grated peel of one lemon, one cup of port and a sprig of rosemary to the pan, whisk and bring to the boil. Then add a tablespoon of balsamic vinegar and continue to whisk until all the ingredients are combined.
  • Pour this delicious rosemary and port sauce over the salmon and garnish with fresh sprigs of rosemary. Serve with potato salad and local asparagus, for a really seasonal Croatian summer treat.

Checkout our holiday villas and appartments in Croatia to find the ideal kitchen to prepare this recipe.

Know of any good and easy recipes to cook while on a self-catering holiday? Know any local specialities that are tasty and easy to make? Please let us and the visitors of this blog know by sending us a comment…


Staff reporting… Fantastic holiday on the Isle of Wight

May 24, 2008

By Phillipa Kilby; Regional Manager

Wight View Cottage Newport Isle of WightThe Isle of Wight makes such a fantastic holiday and what I love the most is its perfect for all age-groups. We stayed in Wight View in Island Harbour (holiday property reference 19581), and found it to be a great base for exploring the vast array of island activities.

The ferry journey from Portsmouth to Fishbourne is only about 45 mins, and is especially exciting for children who feel they are ‘going abroad’ when they get on the ferry!
The accommodation we stayed in is modern and very well furnished, and is close to some lovely walks, one of which goes to a great pub/restaurant called The Folly, where dancing on the tables to live music is the norm at the weekends! There is also a new bistro on the marina but it was being refurbished when we stayed.

Read the rest of this entry »


News… cottages4you Blog under construction

May 19, 2008

We’re currently busy making plans for a cottages4you blog. More info will appear here soon – in the meantime, to search for your next cottage or villa holiday, visit www.cottages4you.co.uk

Think cottage holidays – think cottages4you


From the Office… cottages4you bake-off

May 16, 2008

The chips are down…the talk is over…the cottages4you office ‘Bake Off’ competition is on!

Amazingly, a wide range of great looking cakes found their way into the competition, demonstrating that there are a number of budding Delia Smiths / Gordon Ramseys in our midst.

Some of the comments that the judges had on the entries:

  • Burnie’s biscuits: “The most burnt, most e numbers and the craziest decoration!”
  • Date & Walnut cake – Generally considered “the most professional” and won the ‘Best Cake EVER’ award from Ian G – Quote from Nick “it’s the cake most likely to have been made by your mum!”
  • Sponge cake – best branding and definitely the jammiest Buns – win the ‘booby prize’ and considered succulent!
  • Malteser Brownie cake – Split the judges in consistency – Paul claimed it ‘light’ but all thought it was delicious!
  • No Name, No shame – award for the best ‘floater’
  • Choc cake – considered the best for taste, presentation and quality – but let down by the dull name!
  • Ginger biscuits – win the prize for being closest in colour to Sal’s (my) hair colour – also the judges wanted to know where the rest of the biscuits
  • Ginger cake – delicious and moist!

Jury Final Top 3 ranking (with the favourite getting 3 points)

Ian:
1) Date & Walnut cake
2) Sponge cake
3) Ginger cake

Nick:
1) Sponge
2) Chocolate cake
3) Date & Walnut cake

Paul:
1) Malteser brownie
2) Sponge cake
3) Date & Walnut cake

Therefore the official winner was the sponge cake branded ‘Cake4You‘ by Heather Osborne. Be assured that the jury did not need to eat lunch after their thorough judging work.


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