There's one thing that happens every year when the good weather arrives: Plans change, timetables change, and so do your appetite.
The terraces They fill up, lunches run on for far too long and any excuse is a good one to gather around a table. And, almost without realising it, we also start looking for fresher, lighter flavours that are much more in keeping with this time of year.
Because yes, today we can find almost any product all year round, but let's be honest: a tomato in July is nothing like one in January. And the same goes for many fruits, vegetables or fish that reach their peak when the temperature rises.
The’summer It's a season that can be eaten; you can feel it in the markets, in the kitchens and on the plates. It's the season of bright colours, of Seasonal products and of those ingredients that only need good preparation to shine on their own.
The tomato is probably the best example. When it's in season it needs no introduction; it has aroma, flavour and that texture that can turn a simple salad into one of the day's best dishes. All you need is a good olive oil, a little salt and not much else. It's precisely this kind of produce that we like to put at the heart of our dishes, as in the Goat's Salad or the Txots Burrata, where a good tomato makes all the difference.
It's also the season for fruits such as watermelon, melon, peaches and nectarines. Produce that we automatically associate with holidays, long days and refreshing desserts after a good meal. But for some time now these fruits have ceased to be merely a dessert; it's increasingly common to see them paired with cheeses, ham or salads, providing contrasts that work far better than one might think.
And then there are those ingredients that perhaps go more unnoticed, but are indispensable when the heat arrives: peppers, aubergines, courgettes or cucumbers. These Seasonal vegetables, When they are at their best, they have much more flavour than we tend to remember.
When the embers come into play, everything changes.
If there is one thing that defines the’summer as much as the Seasonal products, is the charcoal.
Few smells can awaken the appetite as quickly as a glowing embers. It's an aroma that instantly transports us to al fresco lunches, terraces Full days, dinners that go on late and moments shared with family and friends.
And it's no coincidence.
The charcoal It has the ability to enhance the flavour of the ingredients without hiding them. When the produce is good, it doesn't need much else. A good cut of meat, some vegetables or fresh fish can become the undisputed stars with just the right amount of heat. At Txots we have this so clear that we dedicate an entire section of the menu to it: from a spectacular Txuletón to an entrecôte, a churrasco or a grilled octopus. Dishes designed so that the product is always the star.
Vegetables are one of the best examples. A pepper passed through the The grill imparts sweetness. The aubergine becomes creamier. The courgette acquires a completely different texture and intensity. It's a way of cooking that transforms the ingredients without losing their essence.
The same applies to fish. Sardines, anchovies or mackerel are part of our Mediterranean cuisine and fit perfectly with the spirit of the Summer flavours. Honest products, full of flavour and that don't need any fuss to enjoy.
And then there are those little details that make all the difference: the aromatic herbs. Freshly chopped basil, a touch of rosemary, a little thyme – ingredients that may seem secondary but are capable of completely transforming the final result of a dish.
Perhaps that's why the best summer meals tend to be the simplest. Because when you have a good product before you, there's no need to hide it behind impossible recipes. You just have to treat it well.
The best ingredients don't come from the other side of the world.
There is a trend that makes more and more sense: reappreciating the products we have close at hand.
Not because it's a fad. Simply because it's often where we find the most flavourful ingredients.
The Seasonal products They arrive at their peak. They ripen when they should, retain all their qualities and offer that flavour we so often miss when we eat out-of-season food.
And it shows.
You can tell when you cut a tomato and it smells of tomato, you can tell when you taste a really sweet watermelon on a hot day, you can tell when the Seasonal vegetables They have their own texture, colour and personality.
But it's also noticeable in the experience.
Because the’summer It's not just a station, it's a way of life: it's going out to dinner more often, sharing tapas in the middle of the table, it's ordering that dish you see being passed by and which makes you change your mind at the last minute.
And if there's one perfect way to end any summer meal, it's with a good dessert. At Txots we like to follow the rhythm of the seasons even at this moment, which is why Every month we prepare a different cheesecake, made with seasonal ingredients. Another little excuse to go back and find out which one's up this time.
Because summer passes quickly and its best moments flavours also, so, while the season lasts, there's only one thing left to do: sit down at the table and enjoy the Local product and let summer do the rest.