A Visit to The Botanical Garden

I've been trying to find out the name of this succulent plant which grows in several well tended outdoor planters in a nearby shopping center.

 I am sure it is a Kalanchoe but which variety?

It is healthy and a clear shade of jade green, and as most succulents do here in the Canary Islands, growing to a large size in the open air.

                               Unidentified Kalanchoe            

After browsing through my books on Canary flora and checking the web without any success I decided to head up to the local Botanical Garden to see if there was any planted there.      

As always, I became involved in having a look at some of my favourite spots inside the garden, but keeping an eye out for a plantation of succulents.

The orchid and fern bower looked inviting:

  Bromeliads, orchids and ferns

Anthuriums do well here in the shade tunnel:

Anthuriums

The tree with hanging Spanish moss attracts visitors with cameras:

Not really a moss, the Tillandsia usneoides belongs to the Bromeliaceae family.

Waterlily blooming on the lily pond:

And up a few steps is the koi pond, A good place to sit and rest.

I was pleased when these two ladies came and sat down to complete the peaceful scene

for my photo.

Well I didn't have any success finding that Kalanchoe in the garden, but I found that I could consult with a specialist in the office if I returned the next day.  So I did that and after some checking with another colleague, the botanist told me that it could be a Kalanchoe Thyrsifolia.....but he wasn't sure.  

So the search will continue! Next stop - the garden centres in case I find one there.

And to add a little more from the jazz and BBQ event in my last entry, here's Maria at Alvaro's tennis club pouring the wine for our table during the barbecue lunch:

With good music and food we all had a wonderful time!

Papas arrugadas ....those Canary wrinkled salt potatoes and the famous sauces: red and green mojos:

Papas Arrugadas con mojos

And for dessert, a flan with homemade ice cream.

I'm still on the trail of identifying that Kalanchoe so there will be more about that soon!

Thanks for dropping by.  Come back again soon. ¡Hasta la vista!

59 ~ Dining in Tenerife

Ensaladilla Rusa & Croquetas de Atun
(Russian salad & tuna croquettes)

(All photos will enlarge with a click.)

Eating out while living or holidaying in Tenerife is a pleasure, especially when one is familiar with the local cuisine, and knows what to look for.

Here are some well-known dishes which I've tasted and learned to love. Photos were taken in the restaurants where the food was served:



The famous wrinkled salty potatoes are served with two mojo sauces:


Here a local fish is served with potatoes and green cilantro mojo

Morcilla (Canary blood sausage with honey and almonds)

The well loved Canary mixed salad has everything in it:
Ensalada Mixta

Sopa de Pollo (chicken noodle soup) is a favourite here in most Canary restaurants, and usually comes with a green mint leaf floating in it.


Rabbit or goat is often stewed in Salmorejo sauce :
Tuna or chicken croquettes served with garlic ali oli sauce and a red piquant mojo

Another ensaladilla, made with potatoes, tuna, vegetables and mayonnaise:
Chocos (squid) Pimientos de Padrón, fried mini peppers from the north of Spain encrusted with sea salt



Puchero Canario - a stew of several meats and chicken with vegetables. A meal in a dish.
Gofio...the staple food of the Canary people made from toasted corn and grains and mixed with broth, milk or water.


Chicken from the grill in garlic sauce

The local wines are much appreciated, winning international prizes

A serving of mixed salad

Frangollo is a typical Canary dessert made from corn flour

Chocolate mousse, puddings and flans are seen in most Canary restaurants

Here a flan with caramel swirls


And to finish off a meal, it's customary to have a cafe cortado leche leche. An espresso coffee with a bit of milk foamed on top and a dollop of sweetened condensed milk in the bottom of the cup! When it has a dash of Licor 43 or Tia Maria and cinnamon, along with a twist of lemon, it's called a barraquito.

¡Buen Provecho!