Algarve - Chick Pea & Tuna Summer Salad

From the many posts on events lately, you can probably guess cooking in the Algarve in summer is reduced to grilling and on the run eats that are fast, filling and leave lots of time for the beach. If you want a big meal you look for a restaurant with great food, a view or an esplanade; actually better if you can get all three.

With that said, now you understand why I’ve written so little about food and wine during the last couple of months. So, what have we been eating? Simple but delicious foods like this well known Algarvian salad, takes no time to prepare and is a great meal to take with you to the beach or a picnic.

International Guitar Festival - Algarve

Living in the Algave we’re never far from the relaxing sounds of lapping waves hitting the shore so it’s no wonder that music filling the air is always a welcome in its many forms. This summer brings a new wave of music appreciation with the kick off of the first International guitar festival.

(photo credit: .bullish)

International Guitar Festival
Date(s): August 13 to 30
Location: across different cities
http://guitarralgarve.com/festival/index.php

Reggae in the Algarve

Reggae is one of those rhythms that gets under your skin, in your bones and moves you, whether you know anything about it, or not. Popular greats like Bob Marley, UB40, Barris Hammond, Patrice and many many others that have come to the scene since, touch universal cords about love, life and the human spirit, like no other sound. One of the many reasons I fell in love with the Caribbean, when I lived there.

Olhão Festival Do Marisco “Seafood Festival”

The annual Seafood Festival in Olhão, Algarve is back again. Loving both seafood and Cuban music we couldn’t miss the first night of the festival to fill up on shrimp and of course be there for Orishas.

We along with our seafood addict friends and family, headed down to the Festival do Marisco this past Monday to get our fix. The smell of grilled, stewed, sautéed and delicious fishiness filled the air and caused many a line up. But I’m happy to report this year we got our first fish stew in record time, the line up for traditional pork and clams…wasn’t quite so fast, as a few of us discovered. But the wait provided great opportunity to watch the cooking madness and enjoy some cold Super Bocks while our stomachs rumbled in anticipation.

Tiesto in Albufeira, Algarve

“Tiësto”, one of the world’s top DJs, will be performing his magical electronic mix at Albufeira’s Praia dos Pescadores in a free event that is sure to attract thousands of partygoers.

Last year’s event, where Bob Sinclair performed on the same beach, attracted 80,000 plus. And this year, Tiesto with his international following, has the possibility to attract that many people again in Praia dos Pescadores as a free event.

Tiësto in Albufeira
Date: August 10, 2008
Time: 10pm
Location: Praia dos Pescadores, Albufeira
Cost: Free event “open to all”

About Tiesto
Tiësto is the artistic name of Tijs Verwest (born on the 17th of January of 1969). He is a musician and trance DJ from The Netherlands and one of the most famous DJ’s of today. More about Tiesto on Wikipedia.

Things to do in the Algarve in August

August is here and its HOT in the Algarve, not just the soaking in the ocean kind of hot, but hot in things to do and see all month long. If you can handle the heat then there’s no shortage of places to eat, drink and be merry, in Europes little treasure. By day, work hard on your tan at one of forty plus eco-labeled awarded beaches, by night be moved by the hottest DJs on the planet, at one of the many beach parties. And if you’re looking for time off the beach, there’s no shortage festivals and what else – food! So don’t miss a chance to experience rustic Portuguese cuisine across the region and take part in the seafood festivals throughout the month.

Algarve Beach