ZWT8 ~ Tapas Party Spain Challenge

[NorthwestGal]

100 players are traveling the world for seven weeks on a whirlwind Zaar World Tour 8.
Come check out our recipes, see the places we've been and what we have learned.
ZWT8 Main Thread

This Challenge showcases the Holidays & Entertaining Forum



Start Date: July 20
End Date: July 31 deadline midnight Zaar Time

Challenge: Individual Non-Cooking Challenge (up to 3 players)
Points: 5 points per individual

ZWT 8 All Players Cookbook ~ Spain/Portugal

1. Select one of the regions of Spain (see map and list below).

2. Choose a special occasion, holiday or community event and plan a Tapas Party in a manner that would be customary for your chosen region, including a menu of 6-8 authentic Spanish tapas that would customarily be served at the special occasion, holiday or community celebration that you are planning. The tapas should include ingredients that are grown locally in or are representative of your chosen region.

3. Write a brief description of your Tapas Party, including
what region in Spain you chose
what special occasion, holiday, or community event you are celebrating
a menu of 6 to 8 authentic Spanish tapas representative of your region
what type of entertainment or special activity you will include to entertain your guests

4. Please remember to:
~ Post your completion in this thread. (Include your team name and team banner.)




Regions of Spain
Andalucia
Andorra
Aragon
Asturias
Balearic Islands
Basque Country (listed as Pais Vasco in map above)
Canary Islands
Cantabria
Castile-La-Mancha
Castile and Leon
Catalonia
Ceuta
Extremadura
Galicia
La Rioja
Madrid
Melilla
Murcia
Navarre
Valencian Community



………………………

What Are Tapas?


In Spain, tapas are small snacks served in bars and restaurants that are similar to an appetizer course served in the United States. They are intended to encourage conversation and entice patrons to continue ordering from the beverage menu. Tapas can be hot or cold dishes or, for a more optimal snacking experience, might include an assortment of both hot and cold tapas. Tapas can range from something as simple as a small platter of sliced bread topped with roasted peppers and tomatoes or a colorful dish filled with marinated olives. Or you might sample a special creation that features a spicy chorizo or local seafood or fresh fish cooked to perfection with plenty of garlic, olive oil, and of course those fresh herbs that are the hallmark of authentic Spanish cuisine.

~ The word "tapas" is derived from the Spanish verb tapar, or "to cover". And the Joy of Cooking cookbook explains that the first tapas were simply baguette slices placed over sherry glasses to keep fruit flies from spoiling the sweet sherry. Innkeepers saw the potential in such a simple gesture, and many bars began creating unique tapas that were topped with everything from cured meats to vegetables to cheese, as a way of enticing guests to return to their bar. And tapas seemed to “take” throughout Spain, and in some regions tapas eventually became as important as the sherry itself for ensuring a positive experience.

Some tapas are far more commonly served in certain regions of Spain, while on the other hand there are some popular tapas choices that are available in nearly all regions throughout Spain. It’s a discovery of regional variation that everyone most certainly enjoys while visiting Spain.

~ Tapas continue to enjoy popularity throughout Spain. In fact, in many regions of Spain, it is customary for patrons to make an entire meal from dining on tapas alone, simply by visiting one bar after another and sampling a wide variety of tapas at each bar while sipping on drinks.


………………………

[NorthwestGal]

Scoreboard

Bistro Babes - Team Tango Mango Status 15 points
1. Deantini
2. K9 Owned
3. Nancy's Pantry

The Wild Bunch - Team Amethyst Status 15 points
1. IngridH
2. Maryland Jim
3. KateL

Diners, Winers, and Chives - Team Electric Lime Status 15 points
1. Bonnie G #2
2. Celticevergreen
3. threeovens

On Nom Nommers - Team Turquoise Status 15 points
1. AlainaF
2. FLKeysJen
3. Mikekey

Jammin' Jazzberries - Team Jazzberry Jam Status 15 points
1. HokiesLady
2. Dienia B.
3. alligirl

The Fearless Red Dragons - Team Ruby Red Status 15 points
1. Diner524
2. Lavender Lynn
3. MomLuvs6

Chefs Gone Wild - Team Pacific Blue Status 15 points
1. Nif
2. Elmotoo
3. Tea Girl

Lively Lemon Lovelies - Team Laser Lemon Status 15 points
1. Cadillacgirl
2. Rita~
3. PanNan

The Herbaceous Curvaceous Honeys - Team Sage Status 15 points
1. Florida Native
2. Studentchef
3. Dreamer in Ontario

[NorthwestGal]

[IngridH]

IngridH will be happy to do this challenge for the Wild Bunch!

[NorthwestGal]

IngridH wrote:


IngridH will be happy to do this challenge for the Wild Bunch!

Buenos dias, IngridH. I look forward to your completion post. Enjoy!

[FloridaNative]

FloridaNative signing up for this challenge to represent the Herbaceous Curveceous Honeys...

Region: Andalucia

FN

[NorthwestGal]

FloridaNative wrote:


FloridaNative signing up for this challenge to represent the Herbaceous Curveceous Honeys...

Region: Andalucia

FN

\

Hola, FloridaNative. I have you listed for this challenge.

[Cadillacgirl]

I'll be doing this challenge for the Lively Lemon Lovelies!

I chose Catalonia because I love Barcelona and we'll be celebrating the Festes de la Mercè!

It happens in September and it is a party in the streets with concerts, and fireworks, the giants, and the stick dancers! The entertainment will obviously be going to watch the human pyramids and fire dancers, andit will be all the more special with my fellow Canadians as Montreal has been invited to be a part of the festival for 2012.

We'll pour ourselves big glasses of sangria to get us in the spirit! For food:
1. Serrano ham with tomato and bread
2. tortilla de patatas
3. Cod brandada along with some manchego cheese
4. Albondigas with Romesco sauce
5. Flamenquillos
6. Catalan paella, with the vast amounts of seafood at our disposal!
7. Crema Catalana for dessert!

[NorthwestGal]

Cadillacgirl wrote:

I'll be doing this challenge for the Lively Lemon Lovelies!

I chose Catalonia because I love Barcelona and we'll be celebrating the Festes de la Mercè!

It happens in September and it is a party in the streets with concerts, and fireworks, the giants, and the stick dancers! The entertainment will obviously be going to watch the human pyramids and fire dancers, andit will be all the more special with my fellow Canadians as Montreal has been invited to be a part of the festival for 2012.

We'll pour ourselves big glasses of sangria to get us in the spirit! For food:
1. Serrano ham with tomato and bread
2. tortilla de patatas
3. Cod brandada along with some manchego cheese
4. Albondigas with Romesco sauce
5. Flamenquillos
6. Catalan paella, with the vast amounts of seafood at our disposal!
7. Crema Catalana for dessert!

Oh my, you are quick, Cadillacgirl. I'll get your Festes de la Mercè Tapas Party listed on Page 1. Thank you!

[AlainaF]

I'd like to participate in this challenge for my team

[FloridaNative]

Hola Senorita NWG

Posting completion for the ZWT8 ~ Tapas Party Spain Challenge for the Herbaceous Curvaceous Honeys


The Herbaceous Curvaceous Honeys … Flamenco!


I was trying to put together a little side trip for the Honeys, and decided on Andalucia and the annual Flamenco Festival, which happens June through July throughout the region. All the gals were quite excited to take the detour on our travels.


We arrived in Cordoba region and began our search for fun. Down the narrow streets we went until we found the action … dancing everywhere … in the streets … in the bars …



We decided to take some flamenco lessons while we were visiting, and for 3 days we huffed and puffed along, trying to get the steps down to a “T”. It was hard work, and our instructor Juan was VERY patient with all of us.


One festival day, we dressed in our own finery and enjoyed a formal dance recital. We truly enjoyed all the swirling dresses and shawls, hand clapping and intricate dance moves of the performers.


Afterward, we hosted a tapas party in the hotel ballroom, complete with our own dance contest. Capt Muffin Goddess and First Mate Dreamer in Ontario seemed to have a real competition going on, and the stage was set afire with their dance. But it was iewe, quiet demure iewe, who stole the show with her vivacious moves.
Capt Muffin Goddess

Dreamer
Iewe



By the way…our tapas party was a huge success. Great food, great wine and wonderful fun. We needed to eat after all that dancing, though I don’t wonder if some of the ladies had the wine BEFORE the food…if you know what I mean
We served traditional tapas from throughout the region of Andalucia:
Spanish sausage and olives


Pasta paella with baby crabs


Calamares


Beef and chicken kabobs


Banderillas


Croquettes


And of course, some very fine wines..


Next time you’re in Andalucia, don’t forget to take your dancing shoes…you will not regret it !


FloridaNative

[NorthwestGal]

AlainaF wrote:


I'd like to participate in this challenge for my team

Hola, AlainaF. I'll get your name added above

[NorthwestGal]

FloridaNative wrote:
Hola Senorita NWG

Posting completion for the ZWT8 ~ Tapas Party Spain Challenge for the Herbaceous Curvaceous Honeys


The Herbaceous Curvaceous Honeys … Flamenco!


I was trying to put together a little side trip for the Honeys, and decided on Andalucia and the annual Flamenco Festival, which happens June through July throughout the region. All the gals were quite excited to take the detour on our travels.


We arrived in Cordoba region and began our search for fun. Down the narrow streets we went until we found the action … dancing everywhere … in the streets … in the bars …



We decided to take some flamenco lessons while we were visiting, and for 3 days we huffed and puffed along, trying to get the steps down to a “T”. It was hard work, and our instructor Juan was VERY patient with all of us.


One festival day, we dressed in our own finery and enjoyed a formal dance recital. We truly enjoyed all the swirling dresses and shawls, hand clapping and intricate dance moves of the performers.


Afterward, we hosted a tapas party in the hotel ballroom, complete with our own dance contest. Capt Muffin Goddess and First Mate Dreamer in Ontario seemed to have a real competition going on, and the stage was set afire with their dance. But it was iewe, quiet demure iewe, who stole the show with her vivacious moves.
Capt Muffin Goddess

Dreamer
Iewe



By the way…our tapas party was a huge success. Great food, great wine and wonderful fun. We needed to eat after all that dancing, though I don’t wonder if some of the ladies had the wine BEFORE the food…if you know what I mean
We served traditional tapas from throughout the region of Andalucia:
Spanish sausage and olives


Pasta paella with baby crabs


Calamares


Beef and chicken kabobs


Banderillas


Croquettes


And of course, some very fine wines..


Next time you’re in Andalucia, don’t forget to take your dancing shoes…you will not regret it !


FloridaNative

Hola, FloridaNative. Your menu of delicious tapas looks so tempting. I'll get your completion noted above. Thank you for participating.

[Bonnie G #2]

I'm reporting on rhe beautiful Basque Country(Pais Vasco) is blessed with stunning landscapes, a coastline untainted by mass tourism and a rich cultural heritage which sets the place apart from the rest of Spain and Europe.

It's not just the mysterious language which sets Pais Vasco apart from the rest of the Iberian Peninsula, almost everything about the place – its cuisine, art, music, sport – is highly individual reflecting the special character of a people whose ancient roots span five millennia. Genuine Basques are regarded by anthropologists as the last surviving representatives of the aboriginal tribes which once populated Europe. Everything from their blood group to their physical features binds them as a unique group and sets them apart from their Spanish neighbors. Small wonder that those of true Basque blood don't regard themselves as Spanish at all.
We will all enjoying celebrating the fiest of:

La Virgen Blanca - 4 August - Vitoria, Alava
In the great Cathedral of Toledo, Spain there is a 12th century alabaster statue which is revered by the people. The Madonna and Child work of art is beloved for its sweetness and intimacy. The statue is at the entrance to the Choir. Officially, it is titled "Virgin of Prima" for its marble. But affectionately it is called La Virgen Blnac or "The White Virgin" because of its predominant color.

Looking at this exquisite work of man in honor of the Mother of God one cannot help but again become a little child looking up at his Mother with much love.

The best thing about Basque food is that all of it is special. Whether you are eating the local version of tapas, Pintxos, in a bar in Bilbao, or sampling a tuna stew anywhere in Basque country; you will not be disappointed.

Fish, in particular cod, is popular here. For example, the dish called Bacalao fresco sees cod poached with mussels or seafood in wafer thin slices. Hake is another fish they cook differently in Basque country.

The seafood cuisine here is varied. Snow crab is stuffed. Clams are served with mushrooms. Eels are served with garlic and chili. Shrimp is a joy when cooked in a puff pastry alongside spinach. Then, of course, there is the famous Basque tuna stew, Marmitako. You certainly don't have to like seafood to enjoy dining here, but it helps.

Spicy Toast
Here's a recipe for another little tapas you can prepare easily and serve to visiting friends and family. A not too filling snack before settling down for dinner. You'll not be wanting to spend too long over preparing these little toast based snacks, so why not use chickpeas from a jar or can? It saves having to soak dried ones overnight. There's hot, smoked paprika in here so be confident that your visitors can take the spice.
Seafood Toasts

Time for a Toastie
One of the simplest and yet most popular tapa servings is the Montado. Little slices of toasted bread on which a variety of food may be served. It might be prawns, shrimps, anchovies, peppers or spicy chicken. Many bars serve them but they are easy to make at home and serve as little snacks for your friends and family.

Baked Basque Crab

Leek and Potato Soup

Pork cooked in Milk

Clams with Manzanilla

Sopa de Setas

And another awesome is from right here on Food.com Basque Scrambled Eggs (Tapas)

For entertainment we’ll all enjoy a Basque folk singing duet with their songs about love for their Basque culture, while sipping some good red wine and by evening end everyone will have had a wonderful time in the Basque Country(Pais Vasco
•

[Celticevergreen]

For the honor of my team, I am hosting a Tapas party and I invite you all. Invitations are in the mail!