For the mainstream tourist that comes to Bilbao, there are two things that immediately pop as 'must do'. You go to see the extraordinary architecture as defined by the Guggenheim Museum. And you immerse yourself in Bilbao's world renowned culinary scene noted for its Michelin starred chefs and its famous Pintxos/small bites on a stick culture.
However, when your primary mission is helping your beloved partner and travel mate to regain her strength, physical capability, and self-confidence, the latter has to be put aside for another trip. We are focused on gradually building up capability. Long food tours and over eating is just not the ideal thing for one who is like an athlete wanting to return to her top performance.
Yet, de-I being de-I, he can't totally ignore his gastronomic tendencies. And in our case here in Bilbao, we've had this lovely circumstance of an apartment with more foodstuffs in it than I have ever experienced. As I looked at it all (and knowing we were not going to be eating out much if at all) I suddenly became filled with the desire to make use of it all. Sort of like the Pewter Chef challenges of old. Only I have called this the Challenge of Cooking with Free, meaning using all the stuff here.
Let's do a little catalog.
Here are the condiments we were gifted
There was actually a lot more beer, but I've been drinking it even though I'm not a big beer drinker because...
IT'S FREE!
And there is even more coffee. Originally, I brought my own coffee because Spanish coffee isn't that great. But, damn it...
IT'S FREE
So I'm drinking what's here.
BTW that Arroz Integral is ready to eat rice. Pretty wretched actually but with all the flavorings I've got, I can make it pretty tasty. And...
IT'S FREE
What can I do with all this tea? Make tea infused eggs?
And what about all this chocolate? My buddy the Celebrity Historian, can tell you all about the historical connection of Spain bringing chocolate to Europe.
I've made a variety of salad dressings. The condiment array led me to make meals featuring cheeseburgers and hot dogs. More to come for sure.
Neighborhood Interlude
Our apartment building
Looking toward the supermarket we go to
Local bakery for bread
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