It’s a real pleasure to be back in Antequera – we’ve chosen it as a quick get away; and travelling at this time of year is fantastic, with the great deals on hotels, the clear sunny skies and the tranquillity!
As I have mentioned before on the blog, Antequera is rich in architecture and well known for its extraordinary array of churches and chapels, reflecting when the town was an exceptionally wealthy rural trading community. Walk the narrow streets and enjoy being nosey, looking through open doors into classic Andalusian shaded, colonnaded patios.
We checked into the newly remodelled Antequera Parador – contemporary design with very welcoming service.
We had an excellent lunch in the well-reviewed local bar, ‘Mesón Juan Manuel’ in Calle San Agustín. The menu del dia includes three courses and a glass of wine or beer – it’s so good to be away from the inflated prices of the coast.
I tried the ‘Porra Antequerana’ – its from the Andalusian gazpacho family of dishes, but isn’t a soup – in fact it is much thicker than even salmorejo – it’s served on a flat plate, with egg, tomato, ham, tuna – and whatever the kitchen feels like adding! It’s thickened with breadcrumbs and served with more bread and little breadsticks – carbocide!
Another classic food from Antequera is the ‘mollete’ – a rustic, artisan white bread. Although fairly widely available across Andalucía in supermarkets, nothing beats the real thing. Mollete is perfect with the local olive oil (which by the way has recently won huge export contracts to China) and tomato pulp – the classic Andalusian breakfast. Something about the flour and the way it’s made gives it an almost creamy taste when toasted; delicious!
The ‘Porra Antequerana’ looks really good. Quite Interesting – is it a tomato or red pepper base? I’m also guessing that it is served chilled?