December's Tag Game ~ Una Fiesta De Tapas ~ A Tapas Party

[Lalaloula]

Since the holiday season is upon us, we thought we'd change the game a bit and instead of featuring one specific ingredient have a little party with all of you. To tie it in with our mediterranian theme it will be tapas style!

What are tapas?
The Spanish term “tapa“ literally means lid or cover and refers to a variety of snacks or appetisers hot or cold, which are typically served with wine or beer in the so called taperías (tapas bars). Each bar has its own distinct selection of tapas ranging from down home comfort food to sophisticated novelties. Nowadays tapas have evolved into an entire cusine and there are countless restaurants offering nothing but tapas.


The History of Tapas
There are many different explanations as to how tapas came to be. A common legend holds that King Alfonso X of Castile (a region in Spain) was ordered to drink a glass of wine and eat small amounts of food in between meals as a means to recover from an illness. Having been cured he made it mandatory for wine to be served with a small something to eat from there on out.

A different explanation could be that alcoholic beverages used to be covered with a lid to protect them from fruit flies. The covers were held down using olives so that the wind could not catch them. Over time more and more creative ways of holding down the lids evolved thus creating the elaborate tapas we know today.

Similarly the Joy of Cooking tells us that tapas originated in Andalusia (a region in the very South of Spain) where sherry drinkers covered their glasses with bread slices or meat in order to ward off fruit flies. Since many Spanish meats are quite salty (like e.g. chorizo) they activate the thirst. This was taken advantage of by some clever bar owners who began serving salty snacks with every glass of alcohol in order to increase their sales.

Others think that tapas were originally small snacks eaten by field workers throughout the day to help keep their strenght.


Common Types of Tapas
There are many different types of tapas, but some are very common and thus to be found in nearly every tapas bar. This list includes only very few of them, but you will find more in the recipes we picked out for you to peruse (see further down).

Albóndigas (meatballs)
Aceitunas/Olivas (Olives)
Almendras fritas (fried and salted almonds)
Boquerones en Vinagre (anchovies in vinegar)
Boquerones fritos (fried anchovies)
Cacahuetes (peanuts)
Carne en Salsa (meat in a salsa sauce, can be spicy)
Ensalada Rusa (Potato Salad with mayonnaise, capers, bell peppers and sometimes tuna)
Ciruelas (plums wrapped in bacon and fried)
Gambas al ajillo (shrimps with lots of garlic)
Jamón Serrano (serrano ham)
Mejillones (mussels)
Pan con Chorizo, Morcilla, Jamón, Queso (white bread with chorizo sausage, morcilla, ham or cheese)
Patatas bravas (fried potato cubes with a really hot sauce)
Patatas fritas (chips) (crisps)
Pimientos de Padrón (pimiento peppers fried in olive oil and sprinkled with coarse salt)
Tortilla (potato omelet)


Why a tapas party?
Since tapas are so small and can be eaten while moving around, they are the ideal party food. Guests can choose many different little bites and while casually munching on whatever strikes their fancy still hold a conversation or traverse the room. The host can prepare most of the dishes in advance so that he/she can join the party, too. So, why not dedicate a party to this great party food?! We thought having our very own tapas party this December was the perfect ending to a year full of great games with you guys. So, dim the lights, play some flamenco music and turn the night time into the day.


December's Tag Game ~ Una Fiesta De Tapas
We have selected an array of Spanish (and other) tapas recipes from our database. You are free to tag one of the recipes we found, or you are free to pick any other tapas recipe in the database. And there is no limit; you can tag as many recipes as you can make before the end of the month.


Featured Spanish Tapas Recipes
Lemon Olive Tapas by BabyrT
A salty zingy treat that brings all the flavours of summer back to your kitchen this winter. For a beautiful presentation ladle the olives into small white bowls or glasses. Make sure to offer toothpicks so your guests' hands stay clean.

Shrimp and Chorizo Tapas by Emeril by redsoxgirl09
Seafood is essential in Spanish tapas cuisine. With this easy yet delicious recipe you are sure to wow your guests and bring some mediterranian flair to your house.

Garlic Tomatoes - for the Tapas Bar by Rita~
Mmm, tomatoes, fresh, healthy and yummy! The perfect addition to your tapas buffet as they go great with all sorts of meat, seafood and cheese. YUM!


Other Spanish Tapas Recipes

Hot


Tapas--Potato Saffron Omelet
Setas - Wild Mushroom and Garlic Tapas
Spanish Tapas Style Beef Kebabs
Tapas: Bacon Wrapped Dates and Sweet Red Bell Pepper Sauce
Sizzling Spanish Garlic Prawns - Tapas Style
Champinones Al Ajillo - Tapas Style Garlic Mushrooms



Tapas - Spicy Pork Skewers (pinchos Morunos)
Spicy Empanadas Tapas
Battered Chicken Tapas With Honey and Mustard ( Pollo Rebozado)
Tapas Style Spanish Rioja Marinated Chorizo Sausage
Spanish Tapas Manchego, Membrillo and Chorizo Toasties
Pinchos (Spanish Kebabs/Tapas - Pork, Lamb, Prawns or Chicken)


Cold


Spiced Almonds for the Tapas Bar
Spanish Tapas - Asparagus W/Orange and Lemon Sauce
Apple and Walnut Salad -Tapas
Sevilla Tapas Salad
Garlic Potato Tapas
Mini Chilled Gazpacho, Tapas



Simple Fig & Mascarpone Dessert (Or Tapas)
Spanish Tapas Bean Salad
Sticks of Ham With Honey (Tapas)
Red Bell Peppers With Capers-Tapas
Spanish Tapas - Avocado Puree and Shrimp Cocktail
Tomates Rellenos - Tapas

[Lalaloula]

Participants' Tapas Recipes:

[Lalaloula]

The Tags:

awalde Champinones Al Ajillo - Tapas Style Garlic Mushrooms #369646
awalde Garlic Olives #465797
awalde Marinated Feta #150037
awalde Rosemary Candied Almonds #426744

mama smurf Spicy Mini Meatballs (Asian Style) #442491

Nancy's Pantry Paella Croquettes #101989

NorthwestGal Tapas Garlic Mushrooms #230483

[Nancy's Pantry]

Hi!

Count me in as your first participant!!!!! Do I get the door prize of a personal housekeeper for one year???? I sure hope so!!!

You always do such a great job with these tags - I love Tapas and look forward to making some fun and delicious items. I'll get back with my recipes shortly.


Nancy

[Nancy's Pantry]

Nancy's Pantry wrote:
Hi!

Count me in as your first participant!!!!! Do I get the door prize of a personal housekeeper for one year???? I sure hope so!!!

You always do such a great job with these tags - I love Tapas and look forward to making some fun and delicious items. I'll get back with my recipes shortly.


Nancy

I'll tag Paella Croquettes (recipe no. 101989) by An American in Spain.


Nancy

[NorthwestGal]

I have your tag included on Page 1, Nancy's Pantry. It sure sounds scrumptious!

[awalde]

Just today we had some delcious olives breezermom's Garlic Olives #465797
! They are so yummy!

[awalde]

I have some recipes that can be served as salted tapas (not Spanish, sorry):






3 Layered Tunisian Tagine #464692
Cretan Bread Rings With Herbs or Spices #462224
3 Kind Grilled Octopus #462223
Eggplant Cream With Feta Pesto #459459
Baked Cheese Balls With Herbs and Sesame Seeds #455803
Fastenw�he (Carnival Caraway-Seed Pretzel of Basel) #446613
Ouzo Meatballs #448961
Spicy Mini Meatballs (Asian Style) #442491

[mama smurf]

I am tagging Spicy Mini Meatballs (Asian Style)#442491 by awalde...such a great option for tapas or just made larger for a dinner

[NorthwestGal]

mama smurf wrote:
I am tagging Spicy Mini Meatballs (Asian Style)#442491 by awalde...such a great option for tapas or just made larger for a dinner

A yummy choice, mama smurf. I have that tag listed on Page 1.

[mama smurf]

I have made and reviewed Spicy Mini Meatballs (Asian Style)#442491 by awalde...so

[awalde]

Tagging:
momaphet's Champinones Al Ajillo - Tapas Style Garlic Mushrooms #369646

[NorthwestGal]

awalde wrote:
Tagging:
momaphet's Champinones Al Ajillo - Tapas Style Garlic Mushrooms #369646

Oh gosh, that sounds so scrumptious, awalde. I look forward to your review. And I have listed your tag above.

[awalde]

Those were incredible good!
momaphet's Champinones Al Ajillo - Tapas Style Garlic Mushrooms #369646

Highly recommended!

[awalde]

For Saturday I need some tapas!

I will prepare again (and post one more photo):
breezermom's Garlic Olives #465797

I will also prepare:
tigerduck's Marinated Feta #150037
Sharon123's Rosemary Candied Almonds #426744