Posted on February 7, 2010.
Tapas - small plate with the Big Taste! Tapas is a lively and authentic variety of appetizers or snacks that are cooked very quickly. Tapas is in the heart, culture and lifestyle of Spanish and is considered a way of eating rather than a style of cooking. The original tapas were served a snack between meals, but today it is often eaten as a snack in the evening served to groups of friends and family, with the main meal is served at the lunch.
Tapas can be served hot or cold in different parts of Spain you will find not only different choices and mixes of tapas, but a great variety in portion size and price. Do not expect to find the same in bars neighbors! Over the years, tapas has evolved into a full kitchen and often sophisticated, and ordering a selection of tapas you can create a personalized meal just as you like.
The service of tapas is designed to encourage conversation that people are not so focused on eating a full meal is put before them. In many regions of Spain small tapas dishes are served with all the beer you order, but it becomes more and more localized to certain areas.
When you are in Spain, you will often find that the tapas are not listed on a menu, but which is presented in a refrigerated glass cabinet by the bar. You can order dishes as you wish they often are purchased at different intervals do not expect everyone to come at once. Bread is often served alongside the first dish.
Tapas recipes vary greatly from one region and tradition, even if they are called by the same name in the menu.
Some of the most common dishes on the tapas menu are:
aceitunas
Olives
Albondigas
Meatballs
Allioli
Garlic Mayonnaise
anchoas
Anchovy
boquerones
Fresh anchovies in oil and herbs
calamares in romana
Fried calamari
Champiaħones
Mushrooms
rusa ensaladilla
Russian Salad
Gambas a la plancha
Grilled Shrimp
mejiilones
Moulds
Pulpo
Octopus
queso (Manchego)
cheese (region Channel)
Sardinas
Sardines
sepia
cuttlefish
tortilla
Spanish omelette (potato based)
Besides these dishes, you can find chorizo, a spicy sausage usually served cooked in its juices, and Serrano ham, cured Spanish ham that is dry one of the cornerstones of Spanish gastronomy on all tapas menu.