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Spanish Tapas Recipes

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What are tapas?



Tapas are bite-sized morsels of food served with drinks. The word 'tapa' means 'cover'. It is generally thought that bar or tavern owners used to place a small piece of bread or ham over their customer's glass to keep the flies out.

The Spanish are very sociable people. They love to sit with their extended families enjoying a drink and nibbling on tapas. Whenever Joe and I are invited to our Spanish neighbours' homes, plates of tapas appear miraculously on the table, accompanied by a glass of beer or wine.

Some of my most memorable times have been sitting under the shade of a grapevine, sipping wine and sampling tapas.

Not only are tapas delicious, but they are often incredibly quick and easy to prepare. This lens will show you how.

Table of Contents

  2. Serrano Ham with Tomatoes Tapa
  5. Mediterranean Chicken Tapas
  8. Tuck into a slice of Andalucían Life
  9. Book Trailer
  10. Amazon Goodies!
  11. Chorizo Braised in Red Wine Tapa
  14. Please leave a comment in my Guestbook!
  15. About the author

Before I continue...

Huge thanks to Iain and Gayle from Orce Serrano Hams who kindly contributed many of the recipes in my book, and on this page. They test every single recipe, so they are guaranteed delicious!



Serrano Ham with Tomatoes Tapa

This simple dish uses the most famous and versatile of typical Andalucian ingredients. Ideal at any time of the day, on any occasion whether for breakfast, a tapa, aperitif, starter or part of a Spanish buffet. Bring warmth and sunshine to your table with this delightful taste of Spain.

YOU WILL NEED:

6 - 8 thin slices of Serrano Ham
2 - 3 medium ripe tomatoes
Fresh crusty bread
Extra Virgin Olive oil
Fresh herb of your choice (basil, sage, parsley, oregano)

Salt and pepper to taste
METHOD

Arrange the Serrano ham onto a plate.
Slice the tomatoes and add to the plate.
Finely chop the herbs and sprinkle over the tomatoes
Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper
Serve with fresh crusty bread.

You can add olives, almonds and Manchego cheese to this dish to make a truly spectacular tapas selection or buffet centrepiece.

Mediterranean Chicken Tapas

Home made mini chicken bites Mediterranean style, with hints of garlic and lemon, perfect for outdoor summer's evenings. This delicious dish looks really beautiful served in a traditional Spanish cazuela.

YOU WILL NEED:

2 chicken breasts
4 cloves garlic
Juice of 2 lemons
4 tablespoons Olive Oil
Flour
Method

Cut the chicken breasts into bite sized pieces
Place the chicken into a bowl, add the olive oil, the juice of two lemons and the garlic, peeled and crushed.
Leave to marinade for 2 - 3 hours in the fridge.
Once marinated, roll the chicken pieces in the flour, shake off the excess and fry in hot olive oil for about 15 - 20 minutes until golden brown and tender.
Sprinkle with a little salt, serve with alioli (garlic mayonnaise) or tomato salsa.

Tuck into a slice of Andalucían Life

Chickens, Mules and Two Old Fools

If you would like to see MORE SPANISH RECIPES or wonder how two old fools settled into a tiny Spanish mountain village, THIS is the place to go...

Book Trailer

To hear my silly English voice, turn on the volume...

Chickens, Mules and Two Old Fools
by VictoriaTwead | video info

6 ratings | 2,696 views
curated content from YouTube

Amazon Goodies!

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Chorizo Braised in Red Wine Tapa

The Spanish chorizo is a highly versatile sausage that comes in many forms. The chorizo makes ideal tapas and can also add a real Spanish twist to an abundance of recipes. Here we have something very tasty and very simple - spicy chorizo braised in red wine.

YOU WILL NEED:

6 cured chorizo sausages
1 bottle of red wine (such as Rioja)
5 garlic cloves (crushed)
Handful of oregano
Tablespoon of lemon zest
Black pepper
METHOD

Place all of the ingredients in a large terracotta cazuela or casserole dish.
Pour in the wine so that the chorizo sausages are half to two thirds submerged.
Bring to boil then reduce the heat and simmer.
Turn over the chorizos and continue to cook for 12 - 15 minutes.
Once cooked, cut the chorizo into segments and place on cocktail sticks ready to serve.

Delicious Spanish tapas full of earthy flavour!

Please leave a comment in my Guestbook!

  • bames24 Apr 29, 2011 @ 11:04 pm | delete
    great recipes... :)
  • LensSeller Apr 24, 2011 @ 4:30 am | delete
    An interesting and mouthwatering lens Victoria!
  • wyrm11268 Oct 17, 2010 @ 7:06 am | delete
    Am living in Spain and wondered how they make the wonderful tapas - thanks for these recipes. Your book looks very interesting too.
  • nDee Sep 11, 2010 @ 6:32 pm | delete
    I love tapas . . . good job on presenting these recipes. Lensrolled!
  • Jade Apr 19, 2010 @ 7:38 pm | delete
    Thanks for the help! I couldn't find anything for my Spanish project!
  • tajo Oct 30, 2009 @ 2:27 am | delete
    Nice lens, and I'm going to have to try that chicken tapas recipe.
  • LaraineRose Sep 20, 2009 @ 12:09 am | delete
    With tomatoes ripening the garden faster than we can eat them, I am going to try your recipe Serrano Ham with Tomatoes Tapa tomorrow. Nice lens (I'm coming to expect that from you). 5*s
  • AppalachianCountry Aug 10, 2009 @ 4:49 pm | delete
    Fantastic lens and awesome recipes. Thank-you. 5 stars*****
  • chocolate Aug 10, 2009 @ 12:47 am | delete
    Your Chorizo Braised in Red Wine Tapa sounds like just the kind of tapas that I need to make to take to a Paella and Tapas party next month. I'm looking forward to making this. Thanks for something that is simple, easy and most importantly portable.
  • Susan52 Jul 26, 2009 @ 9:44 am | delete
    They all sound wonderful! My husband would think the Serrano Ham with Tomatoes was totally to die for; I'm really going to have to try that. Great, yummy lens!
  • BevsPaper Jul 13, 2009 @ 10:40 pm | delete
    Well, these just look so yummy!
  • ChineseKitesforKids Jul 13, 2009 @ 9:37 pm | delete
    This looks so delicious! What a beautiful lens too. It's really well laid out with lots of exquisite pictures to compliment it. Nice work. **5**
  • rms Jul 13, 2009 @ 4:59 pm | delete
    Nice work!
  • seashell2 Jul 13, 2009 @ 1:38 pm | delete
    Super lens... nice work!
  • mbgphoto Jul 13, 2009 @ 12:20 pm | delete
    I remember when we were in Spain and stopped for tapas! Thanks for the memories....and the good recipes. 5*
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About the author

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by

VictoriaTwead

I'm just an old fool from England, living up a remote mountain, author of 'Chickens, Mules and Two Old Fools' and owner of the most dangerous cockerel... more »

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