Spanish Supper - a family gathering

My lovely mum, doing what she loves - feeding the family,
she wont thank me for adding this picture of her in her "housecoat" though

After my mum and dad being away overseas for 10 years, returning to the UK in September, you'd think that a month of them being away would be no trouble. Well the month almost seemed longer....we had little contact, mostly just text, it was a week before I found out my mum had been quite poorly at the beginning of their trip, being briefly hospitalised and although we don't live in each others pockets I had got used to having them around and it was strange that they were gone for such a long time again.

My mum is Spanish and came home brandishing a 2 kilo portion of octopus and lots of other Spanish goodies, so she invited us round for a Spanish Supper, extending the invite to my in-laws. I am very lucky that not only do I have amazing parents, but amazing in-laws too and they all get along really well, which is great for those shall we got to your parents or mine debates at holidays and high seasons, we can all be together and know we will have a great, relaxing time.

So I'll admit it I did start to tuck in before a realised I should be taking photos! It happens frequently, but I think I got there in the nick of time.

Garlic bread, roasted peppers, boquerones (sweet little anchovies marinaded in olive oil, vinegar and garlic), jamón, ensalada, tortilla, chorizos pequenos, pulpo a feira

Pulpo a feira, soft and tender boiled octopus tentacles, sliced and drizzled with olive oil, sprinkled with sea salt and paprika - my daughter and dad's favourite food 

My mum's tortilla sliced potatoes fried olive oil until soft and browned,  gently fried sweet onions and garlic, seasoned and mixed with 12 beaten eggs, returned to the pan and cooked slowly in more olive oil until browned on the outside, but still moist on the inside. All topped with roasted peppers. Absolutely the best tortilla ever!

My husband and my dad enjoying vino tinto,
made by some of their good friends

Ma and Danda waiting for dessert

An impatient Lauren showing her
appreciation
of Nanny's lemon cake

Nanny's lemon cake, lovely and lemony and moist

Dandan's favourite a proper rice pudding

Coffee time

And finally to finish (or finish us off!) some Spanish chocolates Caja Roja (Red Box)
a gift from my Spanish Auntie Asunción

Thanks Mum, a very lovely supper indeed.