Showing posts with label Tapas 101. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Tapas 101. Show all posts

Tapas Trip

    For New Year’s Eve we took a trip to the south of Spain with an RV and a couple of friends.   We visited Jaén, Granada and Almería and got to enjoy the best tapas in the world!  In the south regions of Spain it is typical to get your tapa for free when you order a glass of wine, beer, or refreshment.  The price for the drink and free tapa ranges between 1.30€ and 2€, so you can have lots of food for little money.  It is also a great way to get to know a city, hopping from bar to bar to taste the different tapas they offer. 

    They started to do something similar in my town in Valencia  - and other villages nearby -  a couple of years ago.  Every Friday, several bars offer their signature tapas and a drink for 2€. This has become very popular cause it is a great way to get people out of their houses and a much more active way of going “de tapas”, as people enjoy strolling around from bar to bar.

    During our trip I got some good inspiration for the tapas blog and I will post some recipes soon.  Meanwhile here are some of the tapas we had so you can start getting excited! 
Chopitos (Crunchy little squids)
Motadito de lomo de sardina (Sardine filets over tomato spread)
Montadito de Emperador (Swordfish over bread)
Tapa de la Casa (consisting of chorizo, fries, green pepper and egg)
Pincho Moruno (Chicken Skewer)
Riñones (Lamb Kidneys)
 
Criadillas (Bull testicles)
Sesos Fritos (Lamb brains)
Mini Hamburguesas
Montadito de Espárragos con Jamón York
Montaditos con atún y pisto (Tomato,pepper and tuna spread)
Migas
 
Lomo con patatas (Pork Loin and potatoes)
Cazón en adobo (Marinated and fried Shark)
Bombas de Carne (Meat bomb: mashed potatoes stuffed with meat)
Montaditos de lomo y Montaditos de Jamón (Pork loin and Jamón over bread)
 


Tapas 101


Preparing tapas is easier than you think
One of the things I love about tapas is that they can be as simple or as elaborate as you want to make them.  People with no cooking skills can prepare a tapas dinner by just assembling a few ingredients together, no cooking needed. Whereas, someone with a broad cooking experience will be able to explore and create intricate dishes that will surprise the most exquisite palates.


Cooking Tapas is for Everyone
I also love how both men and women really enjoy preparing tapas.  Even together! Men find it simple and relaxing to cook. Women that are detail oriented can go to town putting together a beautiful plate.  Men love the variety of foods that they can eat in just one meal. They can even be adapted to all diets, low fat, no carbs, gluten free, dairy free, vegetarian, vegan, and of course eat-it-all diets.

 

You don´t have to be in Spain to enjoy good tapas
Most of the ingredients used for tapas are sold everywhere, like potatoes, eggs, white bread, fresh vegetables, chicken or pork.  Unfortunately there are some tapas products that you can only buy in Spain, unless you want to pay 3 times the price here in the US for a poorer quality. I’m talking about the fresh fish caught daily and the cured meats, such as jamón serrano, chorizos, salchichones, and all that good stuff that you can’t get here in the Midwest.  However, and thanks to technology, when there’s a will there’s a way and if you are willing to spend some bucks there are websites that will sell you anything that you could find in any typical Spanish kitchen.


You don´t have to spend a fortune to prepare tapas
Last time I was in a Spanish tapas restaurant in the US I remember thinking that I was being overcharged for what I was getting.  Eating “de Tapas” in Spain is a cheap way of dinning - under $20 – and not a fancy or exclusive meal.  It’s a meal to enjoy with friends while sipping some sangría and having a good time.  I personally think that is a good thing that tapas are innovating themselves and being served in higher cuisine restaurants, but they are also a meal that can be cheaply prepared at home in a gathering with friends or family.

So, now that you’ve learned the basics I ask you to join me in this adventure discovering the best tapas that can be created in the Midwest.

Hasta pronto amigos!!