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
Empanadas
Cheese Tapas
- Fried Cheese with Shallot Dressing (Queso Frito AlinAdo con Salsa de Escalona)
- Manchego with Quince Paste
Tortillas and Omelets
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
- 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
