Mushrooms or "Setas" are a favorite in Spanish food. They are easy to prepare and are very versatile. Sauteed, baked or stuffed, they can be a simple and flavorful "tapa" or side dish for your table.
This typical Spanish tapa is simple, quick and easy. Green and yellow peppers fried with Spanish chorizo sausage and garlic make a colorful addition to the table. Served on a platter in the center of the table, and mound the mixture on slices of fresh rustic bread. It is also a great first course or accompaniment to scrambled eggs.
This "tapa" has all the ingredients of a tortilla - in miniature. The potatoes and onion are cut up and fried together, then placed in the bottom of a muffin pan. Top with a quail egg and bake. Scoop out of the pan and you have a nifty little appetizer to serve atop a slice of rustic baguette.
Rich and salty Serrano ham is combined with finely chopped mushrooms and parsley and bread crumbs for a tasty filling. Stuff the mushroom caps and bake. Serve these tasty and juicy mushrooms tops hot.
A "San Jacobo" is a popular "merienda" (afternoon snack) or tapa in Spain. It consists of a slice of cheese between 2 slices of cooked ham, which is breaded and then fried. It is delicious when the outside is crispy, while the cheese inside melts between the slices of ham. It's tasty, easy to prepare and economical – great for college students looking to prepare something different.
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.
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.
Salty and full of flavor, Serrano ham makes an excellent contrast with the sweet, juicy Honeydew melon. This “tapa” takes about 5-10 minutes to prepare and requires no cooking. If you are short on time, need something to bring to a potluck or friend’s barbecue, this is the “tapa” for you! Melon with Serrano Ham is also a refreshing dish to serve at a Spring or Summer brunch or lunch.
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 guests anticipating the next round.
Garlic, the "stinking rose" seems to make everything taste better, at least if you are a garlic lover! Garlic is one of the basic ingredients of the Mediterranean cuisines and adds so much flavor or "zip" to many dishes. This is a short list of the top garlic tapas of Spain.
Are you in a hurry to get to a party? Or, unexpected out-of-town guests dropped in and you need something to serve? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Try any of these Spanish
tapas that you can prepare at the last minute – just two involve any cooking!
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.
"Banderillas" are one of the most typical "tapas" you will see in Spain. They are colorful and tasty with a glass of wine or sherry. If you do not have time or inclination to cook, but would like to prepare an easy Spanish "tapa", "banderillas" are for you!
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.”
“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.
"Croquetas" - croquettes are small, lightly breaded and fried sort of fritter. They are a sure hit as an appetizer or an afternoon snack with a glass of beer or wine. They are creamy and smooth and very tasty. The best part is you can make the dough ahead of time and freeze it. Then, take the croquetas out of the freezer and pop them into the frying pan.
"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 great snacks to take cycling, hiking or backpacking!
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?
Cubes of pork are marinated overnight in a spicy mixture of paprika, garlic and white wine. Then the pork is quickly stir-fried and served with bread and/or fried potatoes. This is a very easy recipe.
Pinchos Morunos are delicious pork kabobs that have been marinated for a day. These are a very popular "tapa" that are served in many bars all of Spain. Pinchos Morunos are easy to make and great for beginner Spanish cooks!
This soup from New Castilla/Madrid region is full of flavor and like our American “chile,” it seems to get even better when eaten the following day! It is a hearty soup that is wonderful in winter. If you are planning a "tapa" party, it also works well served in small bowls as one of the main "tapas" of the evening.
Entertaining in the summer often means firing up the BBQ, creating more heat and filling the patio with smoke. Why not treat your guests to a buffet of cold "tapas" and salads? All of the dishes listed below can be made ahead of time and kept chilled until ready to serve, including the light desserts.
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.
What are the top Spanish "tapas" recipes?! Learn what our top recipe picks are and compare our picks to yours!
