If you are looking for a different menu option this holiday season, why not prepare a selection of Spanish tapas? Spanish tapas are small plates of food that can easily be shared among your guests and cater to a large range of dietary requirements. There dates and bacon tapas a wide variety of difficulty levels within our recipes today, so whether you are looking for something easy to prepare or trying to wow your guests, check out our twenty-five Spanish tapas recipes below. Traditional Spanish tapas usually involve a mixture of small snacks in different flavors, colors, and textures.
Tapas are typically served at small intimate gatherings with friends or at a bar to help keep people from drinking too much. In some parts of Spain, the art of tapas has evolved into its own culinary style, with some restaurants specializing in serving only tapas. Cosas de picar are tapas that are designed to be eaten with your fingers. These usually include simple snacks like brined olives. Pinchos tapas are any type of tapas that require you to use a utensil to eat them.
This small decorative toothpick, known as a banderilla, helps keep you from getting more saucy or dirty appetizers on your hands. Cazuelas tapas are similar to Spanish entrees except that they’re served in much smaller portions. What Are Tapas in Spanish Culture? In Spanish culture, tapas are typically served around 9 PM at night in a bar setting, hours after other meals for the day have already been eaten. Tapas is a social meal that is usually eaten with friends. Tapas are also served as free snacks along with a paid drink in many Spanish bars.