Spanish Tapas
By Lisa & Tony Sierra, About.com Guides
Seafood Tapas
If you have ever been to Spain, or had a friend from Spain, you know that Spaniards have a love affair with seafood. It's only natural, if you consider that Spain is surrounded on three sides by water – the Atlantic Ocean, the Cantabric Sea and the Mediterranean Sea. As far back as the Romans, plants were built to preserve fish by salting and drying them. Today, Spaniards eat seafood every day, prepared many different ways. That includes a dizzying variety of seafood "tapas."
- Almejas en Salsa Verde - Clams in Green Sauce
- Langostinos Cocidos - Boiled Prawns
- Calamares Fritos or Calamares a la Romana - Fried Squid
- Gambas al Ajillo - Shrimp in Garlic
- Empanadas Gallegas (Tuna or Meat Filling)
- Mejillones Rellenos - "Tigres" - Stuffed Mussels
- Pulpo Gallego - Galician Style Octopus
- Mejillones en Vinagreta de Tomate - Mussels in Tomato Vinaigrette
- Pimientos Rellenos de Atun - Red Peppers Stuffed with Tuna
- Banderillas - A Spanish Tapa
- Bacalao con Pueros Caramelizados y Naranja-Cod with Caramelized Leek and Orange
- Huevos Rellenos de Gambas - Deviled Eggs with Shrimp
- Salmon Ahumado con Queso Blando - Smoked Salmon with Cream Cheese
- Almejas a la Pescadora - Clams a la Pescadora
- Cangrejos de Rio con Tomate - Crayfish in Tomato Sauce
- Pimientos Rojos con Anchoas - Red Peppers with Anchovies
- Potaje de Garbanzos y Espinacas - Garbanzo and Spinach Soup
- Murcian Style Clams- Almejas a la Murciana
- Seafood Filled Pastry Tapa - Hojaldre Relleno de Marisco
- Latillas - Little Cans of Spain
Meat and Poultry Tapas
Tapas sometimes replace entire meals as Spaniards stroll from bar to bar, making their rounds, it shouldn't come as a surprise that tapas can be substantial dishes and include meat and poultry.
- Cojonudos y Cojonudas - Fried Quail Eggs with Chorizo or Morcilla
- Croquetas de Jamón - Ham Croquettes
- Berenjena con Pollo y Pimientos - Eggplant with Chicken and Peppers
- Jamon, Queso y Chorizo con Pan - Ham, Cheese and Chorizo with Bread
- Empanadas Gallegas (Tuna or Meat Filling)
Vegetarian and Egg Tapas
Tapas come in all varieties, including vegetarian kinds like grilled eggplant. Eggs are also very popular in Spain and are prepared many different ways. "Tapas" are no different. From fresh egg-based mayonnaise in Spanish potato salad to scrambled eggs in Spanish omelets.
- Tortilla Espanola - Spanish Omelet
- Patatas Bravas - Bravas Potatoes
- Patatas Alioli - Alioli Potatoes
- Cojonudos – Fried Quail Eggs with Chorizo or Morcilla
- Banderillas - A Spanish Tapa
- Tomato Bread Recipe - Pan con Tomate
- Berenjena con Vinagreta de Tomate - Grilled Eggplant in Tomato Vinaigrette
- Olives a la Madrilene Aceitunas a la Madrileña
- Sautéed Peppers with Garlic, Eggplant and Potatoes
- Brie Cheese with Roasted Garlic-Paprika Filling Recipe
- Fried Eggplant with Molasses Recipe - Berenjena Frita con Miel de Cana
Tapas Menus
Tapas really fit the modern lifestyle and approach to casual get-togethers. When entertaining, a series of tapas plates and a green salad can replace an entire meal without leaving your guests hungry. Below are several collections of tapas, which can make a full menu.
- Summer Tapas Party Menu - Cold Spanish Tapas
- Tapas Party Menu
- Top Spanish Tapas
- Last Minute Tapas
- Simple Tapas Dinner Menu in Photos
Jamon y Chorizo
Spanish ham and chorizo are two favorite ingredients in Spanish cooking. Both Spanish ham and chorizo sausage can stand on their own as tapas, as well.