This menu is perfect for anytime, but it's especially good after the holiday season when everyone has eaten lots of rich food. The Red Peppers Stuffed with Tuna is simple, light tapa, and so is the first course - Grilled Eggplant in Tomato Vinaigrette. The entire menu can be made ahead of time, except the fried potatoes. You want them to serve hot & crispy fries with the Rioja-Style Chicken. A perfect end to this meal is the almond St. James cake, originating in the province of Galicia.
Tapa Pimientos Rellenos de Atun - Red Peppers Stuffed with Tuna
This “tapa” is light, easy and delicious. No cooking required! It is about as simple as opening a jar of pepper, a can of tuna and chopping green onions and olives. Regardless of your cooking expertise, you can make this “tapa.” It is delicious and perfect for any time of year when you want a light start to the meal.
First Course Berenjena con Vinagreta - Grilled Eggplant in Tomato Vinaigrette
Although this dish can be served as a “tapa,” and is wonderfully refreshing in summer, it can replace a standard green salad any day of the year. Even people who think that they don’t like eggplant or tomatoes have raved about this dish. The only cooking involved here is grilling slices of eggplant under the broiler. The rest is chopping some tomatoes, garlic, green onions and garlic, then mixing the vinaigrette. Make it ahead and allow it to marinate before serving.
Main Course Pollo a la Riojana - Rioja-Style Chicken
The northern region of Spain, called La Rioja is best known for its wine high quality wine production, but the cuisine of this area is delicious as well. The winters in this region are cold, so they know what foods will warm you up. Chicken cooked in white wine and flavored with garlic, red peppers and Spanish chorizo make a flavorful stew to warm you up in the winter. Serve with home-fried potatoes and plenty of bread to soak up the sauce.
Side Dish Patatas Fritas - Home-fried Potatoes
Home-fried potatoes are a popular side dish in every region of Spain. They are served with just about every main course and are tasty, especially when fried in olive oil. There is really no trick to make these potatoes and no special fryer is required. Use a large, deep frying pan and keep a close eye not to burn the oil.Dessert Tarta de Santiago - St. James Cake
This delicious almond cake is named in honor of Santiago (St. James), the patron saint of Spain. It is made with lots of ground almonds, sugar and a bit of flour. A small slice of this flavorful cake with a cup of espresso is a delightful way to end a wonderful Spanish dinner.
