Tapas Party

In Spain, the main meals of the day – a late lunch around 2 p.m. and a late dinner around 10 p.m. – are supplemented by many smaller ones. Bars fill up with hugry people in search of drinks, conversation, and little dishes called tapas at about 1 p.m. and again at 8 p.m. Tapas can be simple finger foods like olives or almonds, canapés or Spanish omelets, cut into squares and served on toothpicks, or deep-fried croquettes. They can also be more elaborate hot, saucy foods served in small earthenware casseroles. Whip up a pitcher of sangria and try a few of these tapas at your next party:

Drinks

• Sherry Cocktail
• Sangria Blanco
• Red Wine Sangria

Empanadas

• Meat Filled Empanadas
• Crab and Goat Cheese Empanadas
• Sherried Mushroom Empanadas

Cheese Tapas

• Fried Cheese with Shallot Dressing (Queso Frito AlinAdo con Salsa de Escalona)
• Manchego with Quince Paste

Tortillas and Omelets

• Potato Saffron Omelet
• Tortilla Espanola with Aioli
• Potato and Chorizo Tortilla

Fruit and Vegetable Tapas

• Cabrales Stuffed Poached Pears: Peras Cabrales
• Crispy Olives Stuffed with Sausage
• Oven-Roasted Wild Mushrooms with Goat Cheese and Chile Oil
• Green Olive Paste on Crostinis
• Polenta Bites with Caramelized Mushrooms

Meat Tapas

• Albondigas (Meatballs in Garlic-Tomato Sauce)
• Chorizo Puffs (BunUelos de Chorizo)
• Chorizo-Filled Dates in Bacon (Fritos de daTiles y Chorizo)
• Paprika-Glazed Baby Back Ribs
• Lamb Meatballs in Almond Sauce
• Venetian Sausage Bites
• Chicken Wings in Garlic Sauce
• Warm Saffron Potatoes with Serrano Ham and Sweet Peas
• Serrano Ham and Melon

Seafood Tapas

• Fried White Anchovies with an Andalusian Pepper Salad
• Roasted Clams with Hot Spanish Sauce and Sweet Onion and Grilled Pepper Relish
• Garlic Shrimp
• Spanish Salt Cod Fritters with Spicy Tomato Sauce
• Crispy Mussels with Almond and Scallion Sauce
• Oven Roasted Shrimp with Toasted Garlic and Red Chile Oil
• Squid with Bacon and Garlic Oil
• Pan-Roasted Trout Bruschetta with Chili Vinaigrette
• Baked Clams with Prosciutto Bits and Bread Crumbs
• Piquillo Pepper Salad with Sardines and Basil
• Steamed Clams with Chorizo
• Stewed Chickpeas and Calamari