Last weekend I ventured to the Málaga, the Spanish city on the Costa del Sol of the Mediterranean. The sightseeing was beautiful, even amid the rain, but the highlight of my trip was definitely the incredible seafood.

Above is Alexander and I at the top of the Alcazaba, the Moorish fortress built in the 11th century, which overlooks the coast. Other sightseeing included the Cathedral of the Incarnation and the Picasso Museum–Picasso was born in Málaga!

On Friday night we dined on the boardwalk or “la puerta.”

At the restaurant, Lounge Bar Plaza, we started with seafood stuffed red peppers. They were filled with a creamy, rich seafood puree and topped with a tomato-like sauce. I need to find a recipe similar to make them again!

Next we enjoyed a Salmon Tostada, which is perfectly toasted white bread drizzled with high quality olive oil, topped with sliced salmon and more olive oil. It was so fresh, which made me appreciate the simplicity of the flavors.

The waiter said the shrimp tapa was his favorite dish on the menu, so we knew it had to be good. The sizzling garlic and chili pepper olive oil marinating the mini shrimps really did live up to our expectations. Alejo and I used every last bit of bread to soak up the olive oil and scoop up the shrimps!

For lunch on Saturday we tried the classic Frita Malagueña–a variety of lightly battered fresh seafood. I never would have expected to try fried anchovies here, but to be honest I actually liked them!

I loved the seafood in Málaga and can’t wait to find some more amazing fish here in Sevilla. I’m heading to Italy next week and so excited. For now, off to bed!

Love food, love self, love life.
Gabriela