Author
Andrew Valente
Andrew Valente

Andrew Valente has been a journalist since he left school at 18 in Glasgow where he was on the Scottish edition of the old Daily Herald. He came to Mallorca to work as a freelance correspondent for the London dailies and Sundays, using that as a stepping stone to a job in Fleet Street. But he got involved in the Bulletin and stayed on…and on…and on…and now Fleet Street doesn’t exist. He still reads the London dailies and Sundays.

Food and drink

Sausages: ancient, tasty and extremely versatile

The thickest sausages you’ll find here are the Argentinian chorizos that are always on the menu at the island’s Argentinian and Uruguayan restaurants...

Andrew Valente 24/03/2023 13:11

Food and drink

Nutritionist hits out at Spanish breakfast

You’ll get your day off to a brilliant start if you breakfast on sugar-free cereals...

Andrew Valente 17/03/2023 12:26

Food and drink

Posh dishes of the Seventies

Chicken Kyiv has gone out of fashion and I can’t remember the last time I saw it on a restaurant menu, but we can do it easily at home.

Andrew Valente 13/03/2023 16:55

Food and drink

Never panic over a lack of fresh veggies

Lettuce, cucumbers, peppers and tomatoes aren’t, and never have been, one of the staples, those foods of everyday use such as bread and milk.

Andrew Valente 07/03/2023 15:40

Food and drink

A different way of making a lasagna

The three principal elements included in most lasagne are plaques of thin pasta, a meaty sauce and a bechamel sauce.

Andrew Valente 27/02/2023 11:34

Food and drink

Tall stories and I never liked them

“There came a moment when burgers were made up of so many bits and pieces they were too tall to hold, even with both hands...”

Andrew Valente 17/02/2023 14:46

Food and drink

We're well into the soup season

Andrew Valente tells us the rules for making an authentic Mallorcan-style ‘sofritos’ to add to your soups and stews.

Andrew Valente 14/02/2023 10:44

Food and drink

For the best dishes get the right tomatoes

Five things happen when tomatoes are sold on the vine: they look better, are tastier, are firmer, have a longer shelf life and are slightly dearer.

Andrew Valente 08/02/2023 15:45

Food and drink

The making of a Christmas cake

Mary Berry has written more than 80 cookbooks and is still extremely active, publishes books and appears on TV at the age of 87.

Andrew Valente 23/12/2022 16:05

Food and drink

When in doubt order a pasta in Palma

It’s amazing how simple changes here and there can convert a ubiquitous recipe into something we’ve never seen before.

Andrew Valente 22/10/2022 16:17

Food and drink

Gone fishin’ for a €35 delish meal in Palma

Some restaurants actually encourage their customers to ask for half dishes by printing the prices on the menu.

Andrew Valente 18/10/2022 19:04

Food and drink

Seedy autumn fruit makes early return

The pomegranate has a cherished place on the Mallorcan culinary calendar, and islanders are very fond of them.

Andrew Valente 09/10/2022 19:59

Food and drink

Good food at very old bar in Palma

The cooking is done by Lupe Reyes, who has been at the Bar Martí for the past 26 years.

Andrew Valente 09/10/2022 19:29

Food and drink

Claudia’s potato salad is the best

If you gave 20 people the same mayonnaise, potatoes from the same crop and the same flavourings, you would get 20 quite different potato salads.

Andrew Valente 01/10/2022 15:31

Food and drink

Authentic Lebanese cooking in Santa Catalina

Eating à la carte can be quite expensive at Rotana so I suggest you do as I did and have one of their four tasting menus which have names and different prices.

Andrew Valente 01/10/2022 13:15

Food and drink

This time chips were worth a 10

Last week I went back to Palma Blanc to try their €20 menú del día, served from Monday to Friday with the dishes changing every day.

Andrew Valente 26/09/2022 12:36

Food and drink

Old wineshop is a great survivor

Tapas bars don’t come much smaller or noisier than Bodega Morey but there are compensations — such as the quick turnover of tables and Malika’s excellent cooking.

Andrew Valente 12/09/2022 10:56

Food and drink

Three Spanish cold drinks for hot days

In Mallorca, where almonds are plentiful, you will come across bars that have horchata de almendras (almond horchata).

Andrew Valente 29/08/2022 12:22

Food and drink

When the simplest dishes are the best

Expect well cooked Mallorcan and Spanish dishes and if you’re on a budget go for the tapas.

Andrew Valente 29/08/2022 12:01

Food and drink

Hotdog ensaimada bun was a huge hit

I enjoyed eating in the interior patio with its lush greenery and got a great kick out of seeing a sparrow and a blackbird land for a quick hop around.

Andrew Valente 21/08/2022 18:17