Croquetas de Jamon y Pollo (ham and chicken croquettes) are a delicious Spanish tapa dish found in most bars in Spain. And yes, every bar you visit will claim they have the best croquetas in town! Loosely translated the word croqueta has the element of crunch in it (from the French croquer), and that is…
Tapas
Tapas are the little dishes that are so popular in Spanish cuisine. They run the gamut from a plate of cheese with nice crusty bread to chorizo cooked in wine. In my opinion, tapas are such a fabulous way to unwind with a glass of wine, and the company of friends. Enjoy this tapas offering, especially on a Friday night, or on the weekend. These Spanish tapas recipes are easy, and tasty. The best tapas spread is one where you have a lot of variety, the sky's the limit.
Usually on a Friday night my husband and I like to unwind with a glass of wine and a few tapas dishes. We try to vary it up a bit every weekend. Really, the selection can be infinite, simply because it is all about little portions. I could these babies every night instead of dinner. I like to think that because the portions are little you are not eating as much. Well, that's wishful thinking unfortunately.
When my kids were little, every Friday night we would have tapas night in the living room. Sometimes I let them each pick one thing, and actually they didn't do too bad.
I first came in contact with these little food delight as a teenager. At the time, my favorite cousin lived in Salamanca, Spain. I went to visit her for two weeks, and had my fill of tapas restaurants and then some. It was such a simply yet fantastic culinary experience.
Avocado, Black Beans, Queso Fresco Empanadas
When it comes to food for parties, avocados are top. Especially when they are in vegetarian empanadas. Soft, creamy, buttery. Avocados are king for so many reasons. They are evergreen, and can be used in so many recipes from salads to desserts. [feast_advanced_jump_to] Desserts? Yes, but that’s the subject of anther post. My take on…
Chorizo in Wine Sauce
Chorizo: Spanish vs. Mexican. So what is chorizo? Is it taste, texture, smell? Well… how about all of the above. The word chorizo means sausage in Spanish. Pretty plain huh? Well, not really! Whether you choose the Mexican or the Spanish variety, they are both full of rich, robust flavors. So, let’s get back to…
Tostones with Avocado Cream Sauce
If you happen to be Latino(a) chances are you are eating tostones a few times per week. Tostones are fried green plantains. A food so nice they fry it twice! Plantains are the nutritional staple of most of Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean. It’s a subsistence crop that grows all year round. They can…
Mini Beef Empanadas – Savory Turnovers
Empanadas are savory turnovers common throughout Latin America and the Caribbean. Every country has their own variation of seasonings and ingredients adapted of course to regional taste and culinary traditions. [feast_advanced_jump_to] In Spanish, the word empanada literally means breaded. The Spanish word for bread is pan, hence empanada. Baked or fried? Empanadas can be fried…
Tilapia Ceviche Recipe
Tilapia Ceviche is a tangy, tart, and bursting with flavor appetizer of Central and South America. Tender whitefish is “cooked” in lime juice and then served with salty pastry cups. Your tastebuds will sing. [feast_advanced_jump_to] Ceviche is a dish typical of Central and South America. Its origins are highly disputed among various Central and South American…
Spanish Tapas – Mushrooms in Sherry Sauce
Mushroom tapas are cooked to tender perfection with onions and garlic, and then served on a crusty bread. Are you convinced yet? [feast_advanced_jump_to] Did you know that Pennsylvania is the mushroom capital of the US? Yes, apart from being the sultans of snow we are also apparently the monarchs of mushrooms! Mushrooms are grown in…
Spanish Style Shrimp Tapas
Shrimp and other seafood tapas recipes are extremely popular throughout Spain, given their coastline. This Spanish tapa is a twist on shrimp scampi. [feast_advanced_jump_to] Types of shrimp tapas Theres more than one way to shrimp tapas! Spanish tapas come in many varieties. I’ve chosen a simple yet delicious preparation that works well as a…
Authentic Tortilla Espanola – Spanish Potato Pie
Tortilla Espanola is a simple, delicious dish to enjoy as a main or appetizer. In Spain, it’s a tapas staple (appetizer). At home, we enjoy it with salad greens. [feast_advanced_jump_to] Tortilla Espanola consists of 4 basic ingredients: potatoes, onions, eggs and olive oil. Salt and pepper are added to taste. As far as the origins are…
Garbanzo Beans with Tomatoes and Onions
Garbanzo beans with tomatoes and onions is a simple yet delicious tapas dish. The delicate flavors of the onion and tomato along with soft creamy garbanzo when cooked is something you must experience with your appetizer happy hour. [feast_advanced_jump_to] Chickpea flavor, nutrition, and uses It is hard to believe that this funny little legume packs…
Fast and Easy Shrimp Ceviche Recipe
A delicious twist on the fish original. Shrimp ceviche is a Latin American appetizer that’s a party classic and oh so easy. Chop, mix done! What are you waiting for? Go make some shrimp ceviche, and don’t forget that nice cold beer to wash it down with. [feast_advanced_jump_to] Origins of ceviche In Latin America, ceviche…
Spanish Style Grilled Marinated Pork
This Spanish-style grilled pork or prueba de cerdo recipe has a bit of kick, but not too much to intimidate those who prefer a milder taste. It is a hearty tapas dish to say the least. The smoky flavor of the paprika and the crushed red pepper combine to awaken your taste buds! The melt…
Cinco de Mayo Party
Yikes Cinco de Mayo is like right on the doorstep. Are you having a party? Are you going to a party? Regardless, here are a few Cinco de Mayo party ideas to inspire you. Some of these treats are healthy, some are not! Just warning you. And just a little history lesson before the post….
Avocado, Shrimp, Grapefruit Tapas
I’ve created a recipe: Avocado tapas with shrimp and grapefruit. Ahh, avocados! One of my favorite things to eat. By the way, did you know that avocados are from Mexico? Yes, from Puebla to be exact. They go back to 10,000 B.C. I have to wonder when people discovered that they are for much more…
Ten Tasty Tapas
Tapas are the appetizers famous in Spanish cuisine, and which in recent have gained popularity in metropolitan areas around the country. The word “tapa” actually means lid in Spanish, and some say the word originated because the original tapa were slices of bread used by those sipping sherry to guard their glasses against fruit flies. Whether…
