Tapas

It was a toss-up between tapas, or Jamie Oliver, but for all his good deeds and essential decency I couldn't bring myself to do it. Plus his latest book "30 minutes" is the most preposterously optimistic title ever to decorate the spine of a book. We've done two meals from it so far and both have taken closer to 2 hours. I look forward to all cooks promoting their wares by saying the opposite of what they mean - especially Nigella's next series "Food without Fellatio".

Still, his tapas recipe worked out pretty well in the end. His simple dishes worked best - chorizo glazed in honey; manchego cheese with ham; anchovies with tomato. His tortilla wasn't so good and his Belem cakes were as risible as those at Nandos.

We had a wonderful evening in Madrid once, when visiting one of Anne's friends, as he took us on a strolling tour of the bars, a snack and a sherry in each one. What a jolly civilised way to spend time before dinner. We even had a decent spread in Calla Millor once, after we'd managed to persuade the waiter we didn't want chicken and chips in a basket.

This wasn't up there with those, but it's recommended for a simple Saturday night in dying a slow death in front of reality TV. Just start early.


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