Catalan chill

Novo “Aire lounge”

Spring time feelings

Let me quote Gianna Nanni: “dal rock al vino il passo può essere brevissimo” … also, her songs remind us of what we are looking for these days, una meravigliosa creatura.

Molti mari e fiumi
Attraverserò
dentro la tua terra
mi ritroverai …

Relax, take it easy

It’s about time for yet another note on new, fresh music: Mika writes and sings the theme tune to our Barcelona spring 2007!

Lest we forget, M.I.A. deserves a reference, too.

STOP THE CLASH OF CIVILISATIONS

Yet another fab proposal from AVAAZ.org. Wake up and help stop the so-called called clash of civilisations (quel choc de civilisations exactement? Il n’y en a aucun!).

Feel free to check versions in English, Spanish, Portuguese, French, German, Chinese Traditional, Chinese Simplified, Japanese, Hebrew, and Arabic.

Cherish British clumsiness

Today’s news are dedicated to some tunes I heard on Catalan telly recently. Its fluffy, light-hearted air catapults me into this summery feeling, far from my current state of existence. Well, Barcelona is not precisely a dull and grey place but my life needs a serious reboost or revamp (for those who believe in extreme makeover).

Here come some good, sexually-unexplicite, clumsy British tunes:
The Kooks - She moves in her on ways

Yoghurt Raita cools your curry

I have little intention to convert this blog into a cookbook but the Chandiramani sea side land lady cuisine is happy to share a refreshening recipe:

Yoghurt Raita (4 persons)

• 4 small tubs of natural yoghurt (for a healthier option, use skimmed/desnatada milk)
• 1 medium sized cucumber
• Salt
• Cumin powder
• Optional: red chilli powder for a hotter version , fresh mint

Whisk all the yoghurt in a bowl lightly until smooth. Peel cucumber and cut into fine rounds. Sprinkle salt (1 tsp) and let it rest for 10 minutes. Meanwhile, chop enough mint leaves (if using) to get about 2 table spoons. Squeeze out as much juice out as you can from the cucumber rounds and mix them, along with the chopped mint, into the yoghurt. Dust lightly with cumin and red chilli powder. Garnish with a few sprigs of mint.Chill before serving.

Shrimp and papaya, for a start

On Saturday, our dear friend Chandiramani treated us to yet another yummy starter.

Shrimp and Papaya Salad (serves 4)

• 600 gr large peeled deveined shrimps (frozen pelado gambas are fine)
• 2 medium/large sized “ready to eat” papayas
• Bunch of Spring onions
• Red chilli
• Sauce:6 star anise, juice of 2 limes, 1 tbsp thai fish sauce, 1 tbsp dark soy sauce, 3 tbsp sunflower oil

Put all in the ingredients for the salsa in a microwaveable bowl and heat on medium for 5 minutes. Alternatively, if you are cautious about microwave emissions, warm (do not boil) in a saucepan. Leave to cool and allow the star aniseed to infuse the sauce. // Boil the shrimps briefly and simmer for 5 to 6 minutes or until cooked. Drain and set aside. // Dice the flesh of the quartred papaya (after removing all seeds) into approx 2cm cubes. // Wash and slice the bulbs of the spring onions into thin rounds, enough to make 1 to 1.5 tbsps. // Slice chilli finely. // Discard star aniseed from the salsa before mixing with the prawns and papaya. Let it rest for 30 minutes before serving.

Eurotrash allstar galore

To much for colour tv, eurotrash or fun … like it or not, theses songs have had Europe rocking . Some of these might make you faint, others are real crackers (tbc):

Rafaella Carrà
Ma che sera 5353456 Rumore1/Rumore 2 Volare (Nel blu dipinto di blu)

Dalida
Gigi in paradisco Géneration 78 Laissez-moi danser Gigi l’amoroso

CC Catch
Backseat of my Cadillac Heaven and hell

Modern Talking
Brother Louie Cheri cheri lady

Nina Hagen
Du hast den Farbfilm vergessen

Josmar
És super fort (Catalonia’s contribution to eurotrash …)

:-)

Bennie K Joy trip Sunrise (shallow but feel-good J-pop, brush up ur Japanese!)

Electric Six - Danger! High Voltage!

Gorillaz El mañana Dare

I’m from Barcelona - We’re from Barcelona

Jorge Drexler Transoceanica

Kellis Millionaire

Madonna / La terremoto de Alcorcón - Hung up (Spanish top whatever 2006)

-M- Machistador

M.I.A 

Mika

Najwa Nimri Human Monkeys NN Go Cain

Peter, Björn & John Young Folks

The Pinker Tones Karma Hunters PT Sonido total PT Mais pourquoi

Pizzicato Five O P5 Playboy playgirl Tokyo ha yoru no shichiji

The Kooks - She moves in her on way