Tapas
Top Tapas for Holiday Parties
With so many fabulous tapas, how did we choose which ones to recommend for a holiday party? First, the tapas had to have a "wow" factor very colorful, or a special flavor. Second, they had to be easy to eat at a cocktail party not a drippy, hard-to-hold mess. Last, most if not all the preparation could be done ahead of time, so you'll have...
Spanish Chorizo and Serrano Ham Pizza Recipe
Pizza is very popular all over the world, including Spain. As in Italy, pizza served in Spain has thin crust and is not overloaded with toppings. Our tapa version of this pizza includes Spanish chorizo sausage and Serrano ham, which gives it a distinctly Spanish flavor. Optionally, spicy Spanish pork chunks also make a great topping. Serve 6-8 as a tapa, or 4 as a main course.
Leftover Turkey Recipes - Ways to Use Leftover Thanksgiving Turkey
Tired of leftover turkey with mayo on white bread? We have ideas for two turkey sandwiches with lots of flavor, and a Spanish flair. How about turkey with blue cheese and balsamic syrup, or turkey with brie and membrillo?
Parts of a Serrano Ham
Jamon Serrano or Serrano Ham is the salty, air-cured ham from Spain. Whole Serrano hams are shipped around the world, prized for their rich flavor. They are not cheap, so before slicing into one, it's important to know the parts of the ham in order to cut it correctly. Stored and sliced properly, a whole ham can last a family several months.
Latillas - Little Cans of Spain
Spanish love seafood. Fish, shellfish and mollusks are a regular part of the traditional Spanish diet. "Latillas" or little cans of marinated sardines, tuna, anchovies, squid, clams and mussels are eaten as snacks or before meal. They also make great "instant" tapas.
Montados or Montaditos Tapas
For the Spanish, a montado is a flavorful topping riding on a small slice of baguette. Montados or montaditos are very commonplace and popular in tapas bars. They come in all flavors - beef, chicken pork, sausage or vegetarian, and can be prepared hot or cold. To prepare many montados, no actual recipe is needed - assemble the...
How to Host a Holiday Tapas Cocktail Party
Want to do something different this holiday season, but not sure what? Throw a Tapas Cocktail Party! About's Guide to Entertaining helped put together this "how to" article providing basics for hosting a cocktail party. We created a top list of tapas, Spanish wine and music recommendations.
Simple Tapas Dinner Menu
A Spanish "tapa" dinner can be a simple, uncomplicated menu, like many Spaniards enjoy in the evening. This menu is based around the classic Potato Omelet. A link to the recipe is included with the photo of each tapa.
Meatballs with Parsley Sauce Recipe - Albondigas con Salsa de Perejil
Meatballs in a simple, yet rich-tasting sauce made from beef broth, parsley and walnuts. What a great main course for any day of the week, regardless of the season! We recommend serving these delicious meatballs and sauce with home-fried potatoes or lots of crusty bread to soak up the sauce. These meatballs also make a good "tapa."
Pancetta-Stuffed Mushrooms Recipe - Champinones Rellenos de Panceta
Finely chopped Spanish "panceta adobado" is heaped in white mushrooms, then slowly cooked in olive oil. It's quick, easy and very tasty. It's a tapa that everyone can enjoy cooking and eating, from the beginner cook to the experienced chef.
Tapas Party Menu
Everyone throws cocktail parties or dinner parties. So, why not throw a different kind of party – a Spanish Tapas Party?! Learn how to make 5 easy tapas recipes to impress your friends.
Top Spanish Tapas for The Super Bowl
The Super Bowl is the perfect event for a tapas buffet, so prepare some or all of these classic Spanish tapas, like "croquetas," potato omelet, "pinchos morunos" (spicy pork kabobs), "patatas bravas," and fried cod fish balls. Prepare some of these tapas ahead of time and don't serve them all at once. Save some tapas for half time and keep your...
Summer Tapas Party Menu
Warm weather entertaining often means grilling on the BBQ, which creates more heat and can fill the patio with smoke. Why not try an alternative - a buffet of cold "tapas" and salads? All of the dishes listed can be made ahead of time, and kept chilled until ready to serve, including the light desserts.
Empanadas Gallegas - Galician Turnovers
"Empanadas" are turnovers originally from Galicia, a northwestern province in Spain. "Emapanadas Gallegas" or Galician Turnovers are very popular and have spread to every region in Spain, all over Latin America and beyond. The smaller version called "empanadillas" are also a practical snack for those who find themselves away from home. They make...
Chicken, Tomato and Cheese Montados Recipe - Montados de Pollo, Tomate y Queso
"Montados" are a popular kind of tapa. They start with a piece of baguette and pile different delicious foods on top. This "montado" is made of chicken breast, tomato sauce, roasted red peppers and melted cheese.
Alioli - Garlic Mayonnaise
Alioli, a popular Spanish sauce, often served with meats and fish, vegetables or tapas. It is an emulsion sauce traditionally made with garlic and olive oil, eggs are usually added to it to make it more stable and easier to whip.
Pork Loin, Pancetta & Mushroom - The San Pedro Tapa Recipe
During the festival of San Pedro in Burgos, this is a popular Spanish tapa. It is simple to make, including a slice of pork loin, pancetta and a mushroom grilled on a bamboo skewer. Serve on a slice of rustic bread with a glass of Spanish wine.
Berenjena con Pollo y Pimientos - Eggplant with Chicken and Peppers
Eggplant, a typical ingredient of the Mediterranean diet is the base of this “tapa.” Slices of boneless chicken breast with roasted red pepper and tomato sauce are then added to the eggplant. Finally, melted cheese tops off these “montaditos.”
Mini-Palmera Pastry Recipe - Palmeras de Hojaldre
Mini-Palmera Pastry Recipe - Palmeras de Hojaldre
Foie, Carpaccio Parmesan Cheese Pizza Recipe-Torta de Foie, Carpaccio y Parmesan
Easy Spanish tapa takes a queue from the Italian pizza. This tapa is what the Spanish call a "torta" and Americans would call a pizza. Top pizza dough with foie (or pate), carpaccio and Parmesan cheese. Rich tasting and very easy!
Spanish Caramelized Almonds Recipe - Almendras Caramelizadas
Almonds are used in Spanish sauces, desserts and as a snack. A bowl of caramelized almonds can be served as a tapa or a dessert. Adding a touch of salt to the sweet coating can give that special touch. These caramelized almonds are so good that it's hard to just eat one...
Jamón, Queso y Chorizo con Pan - Ham, Cheese and Chorizo with Bread
This is a simple, but delicious appetizer or "tapa" that everyone enjoys. It involves very little cooking and you can put it together at the last minute! What could be better than Spanish ham, Manchego cheese and sausage on a baguette?
Fried Blood Sausage with Bread Recipe - Morcilla Frita con Pan
With morcilla, prepare an authentic Spanish tapa in less than 10 minutes. Morcilla de arroz, the Spanish blood sausage made with rice is often served as a tapa in Spain. It is very easy to prepare by cutting in thick slices and lightly frying on both sides. Place pieces on a slice of baguette and serve hot.
Spanish Cucumber Recipes
Looking for cucumber recipes, or in Spanish "pepino" recipes? The Spanish use fresh cucumbers in salads and cold summer soups. From gazpacho to Spanish Cucumber Salad, there's a recipe for every palate.
Cojonudos and Cojonudas – Fried Quail Eggs with Chorizo or Morcilla
“Cojonudos” are another simple, but tasty “tapa” made by topping a slice of baguette with a fried quail egg and a slice of fried chorizo sausage. “Cojonudos” loosely translated means “awesome” and judging by their popularity in tapas bars Burgos, they must be! Their “sister tapa” is the “cojonuda,” made with a small slice of morcilla (blood sausage) instead of chorizo sausage.
Latillas, Little Cans of Spain Make Super Simple Tapas
Fish, shellfish and mollusks such as squid, clams and mussels are a regular part of the traditional Spanish diet. The Spanish simply call the canned version latillas, or little cans. Every Spanish family's pantry has a supply of latillas, and serve them as a small snack or appetizer before a meal, or if unexpected guests pop in for a visit. In...