A Tapas Party Playlist

You’ve made the tapas, readied the sangria, chilled the Albariño, and set out a spread of Spanish cheeses. Now all you need to do to transport your guests from your home to the streets of Barcelona is to put on some classic flamenco favorites.

Castaña — Manitas de Plata

Amor, Amor — Marìa Salgado

Por Los Olivares "Fandango" — Sabicas

Madronos — John Williams

Un Momento en el Sonido — Vincente Amigo

Nana — Ojos de Brujo

Seis Sevillanas — Sabicas

Tanguillos — Pepe Romero

Related

Tarantas — Manitas de Plata

You Can't Top This: 14 Tapas Recipes for Your Next Cocktail Party

It's 2017, so I don't think I need to explain to anyone the wonder of tapas, Spanish snacks originally designed to entice people into bars. These small dishes, often served on bread, are just what you need to soak up a glass of sherry. And while tapas originated in bars, they're easy to make at home and perfect for cocktail parties.

Spain is a land of fantastic seafood, which is reflected in many of our favorite tapas, from garlicky gambas al ajillo to piquillo peppers stuffed with tuna. We've got plenty of vegetarian options, too—try our addictive blistered Padrón peppers or crispy patatas bravas. Stock up on wine, invite some guests, and get ready for your next party with 14 of our favorite tapas recipes.

This spicy-sweet combo is served with blue cheese for a salty sharpness and drizzled with homemade vanilla oil for an aromatic sweetness the mellows the strong flavors into one harmonious bite.

Menu Timeline

If the following timeline looks long, it’s only because I’ve broken it down into very small steps

Up to 3 days ahead:

The day or evening before:

• Make the marinated manchego refrigerate.
• Make the scallion vinaigrette refrigerate.
• Assemble the olive and pepper picks refrigerate.
• Slice the chorizo, put in bowl with the thyme sprigs refrigerate.
• Peel the shrimp and refrigerate in a paper- towel-lined bowl. Put the peeled garlic, washed chives, and washed lemon in a smaller bowl and refrigerate.
• Wash and cut up mushrooms store, refrigerated, in a damp-paper-towel-lined bowl along with peeled garlic and washed parsley.
• Set jamón on serving plate cover with plastic and refrigerate.
• Cut up chocolate for toasted bread and keept at room temperature.
• Slice bread for the chocolate toasts and for the chorizo store in separate zip-top bags.
• Wash the potatoes, put them on a sheet pan, along with the pre-measured oil in a measuring cup, and salt and rosemary (not chopped) in dishes.
• Measure pimentón and red pepper flakes for shrimp into a small dish.
• Measure sherry for the shrimp into a small dish.
• Measure sherry vinegar for the mushrooms into a small dish.

2 hours before guests arrive:

• Put the manchego in a serving bowl and set out.
• Measure red wine for the chorizo into a small dish.

1 hour before guests arrive:

• Drizzle scallion vinaigrette over the olive and pepper picks and set out.
• Set out the jamón.
• Sprinkle shrimp with the salt and toss refrigerate.
• Slice chives for shrimp, wrap back up in damp towel.
• Slice garlic for shrimp and put in the dish with the pimentón.
• Grate lemon zest for shrimp into a small dish set with the shrimp.
• Chop garlic and parsley for the mushrooms, wrap in damp towel, return to mushroom bowl.
• Chop rosemary for potatoes. Toss potatoes with oil, salt, and rosemary.

15 minutes before guests arrive:

When guests arrive:

• Offer wine or sherry and as people nibble on the manchego, jamón, and olive and pepper picks, mingle and relax. (Turn the potatoes when the timer goes off, and set it twice more for 15 minute intervals.)
• Take a few minutes out to cook the mushrooms and serve them.
• Chat with guests, then take 5 minutes to cook chorizo and serve with bread.
• At a break in conversation, take 5 minutes to cook and serve the shrimp.

When you’re ready for dessert:

Shopping List

Fresh Produce

• 2-1/2 lb. yukon gold, white, or red potatoes
• 1 lb. white or cremini mushrooms
• 1 small onion
• 1 small carrot
• 1 small scallion
• 1 red serrano or jalapeño chile
• 1 bunch fresh thyme
• 1 bunch fresh parsley
• 1 bunch fresh rosemary
• 1 head garlic
• 2 lemons

Meat, Eggs & Dairy

• 1-1/2 lb. soft, cured chorizo
• 1-1/2 lb. large (31 to 40 count) shrimp
• 1/2 lb. jamón serrano, sliced paper thin
• 8 oz. Manchego, preferably aged
• 12 oz. creamy feta (optional)

Other Groceries

• 40 small pitted green olives (From about a 2-1/2-oz. jar)
• 40 pickled sour cocktail onions (from about two 3-1/2-oz. jars) (optional)
• 1 dried red chile
• 7 jarred piquillo peppers or 2 jarred roasted red peppers
• 2 loaves good country bread
• 4 oz. bittersweet chocolate
• Fino sherry
• 1 bottle dry red wine
• 1 bottle dry white wine
• 1 bottle fino sherry
• 1 14-oz. can diced tomatoes

Pantry staples

• 2 -1/2 cups extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 tsp. granulated sugar
• 1/4 tsp. Tabasco
• 1/4 tsp. ground cumin
• Heaping 1/8 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
• Kosher salt
• Sea salt or another specialty salt for sprinkling
• black peppercorns

Drink Suggestions:
Dry sherry is a traditional partner for tapas. The nutty, briny qualities of a fino or manzanilla sherry match perfectly with the tangy, salty, and savory flavors in the tapas. So when guests arrive, offer them a small glass of chilled sherry to sip as they begin to enjoy the spread. Try Emilio Lustau Puerto Fino Sherry or Bodega Hidalgo Manzanilla “La Gitana” Sherry.

As for wines, crisp dry whites with citrus and mineral notes, such as Albariño, and dry rosés with tart red berry and citrus fruit are both versatile tapas wines. I’d recommend Vionta Albariño, Rias Baixas Nora Albariño, Rias Baixas A to Z Rosé from Oregon and Goats Do Roam Rosé from South Africa.

Finally, a ruby port would be delicious with the Toasted Bread with Chocolate. Good ones include Graham’s Six Grapes and Fonseca Bin 27.

14 Authentic Spanish Tapas Fit for a Fiesta

Authentic Spanish tapas are served as complimentary small plates with each beverage ordered in Spain. As you enjoy happy hour, your taste buds are sated and bellies warmed with the savory (and sometimes spicy) bites. Toasted baguette slices are often served with Manchego cheese and heavenly thin, melt-in-your mouth slices of Jamón Ibérico, a cured ham produced in Spain and Portugal and hailed as the finest ham in the world. And nearly every Spanish table celebrates the region's legendary olive, whether the bright green marinated fruits are served as an appetizer. Other common dishes celebrate Spain's culinary traditions like seafood paella, a colorful rice dish with saffron and a medley of fresh clams, mussels, shrimp, and chorizo tortilla Espanola, a signature dish of Spain made of potato-filled omelet and ajo blanco, garlic and Marcona almonds' incredibly creamy answer to gazpacho. Tapas are perfect for laid-back gatherings. Many of these mouthwatering morsels and delectable dishes can be made ahead and served in flights throughout the evening. Whip up a few sangrias to enjoy with your favorite tapas at your own Spanish-inspired soiree. Salud!

20 Easy Spanish Recipes to Throw the Best Tapas Party Ever

Throwing a party and don't want to spend the entire night in the kitchen? When planning your menu, turn to Spain's fashionable tapas: small plates of food shared among party guests. To get you started, we've got the dish on easy tapas recipes, ranging from effortless to intense. And don't forget shareables are even better when paired with a pitcher of sangria.

1. Slow-Cooker Stuffed Mushrooms: Two hours in a Crock-Pot, and this stuffed mushroom recipe, which tastes like your fave spinach-artichoke dip, can be yours. (via Brit + Co)

Patatas Bravas With Cheat Garlic Aioli

Fingerling potatoes are highly dippable finger food, especially when fried in olive oil and seasoned with paprika. (via Parsnips and Pastries)

Mushroom Croquettes

Croquetas de jamón, logs of ham coated in breadcrumbs and fried until golden, are easy to find at most bars in Spain. These are filled with mushrooms and made with non-dairy milk, so even your vegan friends can enjoy them. (via Cilantro and Citronella)

Chorizo, Manchego, and Olive Skewers

These honey-drizzled skewers are a taste of Spain and a fireworks show in your mouth. (via My Modern Cookery)

Garlic Shrimp With Lemon and Parsley

This simple lemon-garlic shrimp will satisfy with either toothpicks for spearing or crusty baguette slices for dipping. (via Spain on a Fork)

Baked Churro Chips

Steer away from tradition by making churros into chips. They’re easy to make in big batches, and they’re even easier to dip into mocha-fudge sauce, caramel sauce, and whipped cream. (via Brit + Co)

Spanish Cheese Board

Cover all of your flavor bases on a single board instead of making multiple plates. This tapas assortment has Spanish cheeses and meats, grapes, olives, and flavorful spreads. (via My Kitchen Love)

Spanish-Style Tomato and Butter Bean Dip

This addictive dip is so simple, you can even make it on a camping trip. (via Fresh Off the Grid)

Chicken Empanadas

Because no one ever complained about chicken, cheese, and carbs. (via Food With Feeling)

Bacon-Wrapped Dates With Goat Cheese and Pecans

These four-ingredient bites are both crispy, chewy, and creamy all at once. (via The Cookie Rookie)

Pan Con Tomate

Sometimes, the simplest dishes — in this case, crusty bread with tomatoes and olive oil — can satisfy the most. (via A Communal Table)

Spanish Crab Cakes With Roasted Red Pepper Sauce

You’ve been warned it will be difficult to resist eating this creamy, paprika-laced sauce with a spoon. (via Just a Little Bit of Bacon)

Blistered Padrón Peppers

Olive oil, salt, lemon juice, and heat transform these Spanish peppers into a party-worthy treat. (via What’s Gaby Cooking?)

Flank Steak With Goat Cheese on Toast

Grilled flank steak and roasted red pepper sit atop creamy goat cheese and crusty bread, but the real kicker is a roasted fig and onion jam that adds a touch of sweetness. (via Steamy Kitchen)

Spanish-Style Meatballs

Meatballs are a welcome guest at any party. These bites are made with spicy chorizo, a Spanish staple. (via Grab a Plate)

Zanahorias Saliñadas

These vibrant pickled carrot slices, served in olive oil and parsley, make a refreshing accompaniment to heavier, meatier tapas. (via Tara’s Multicultural Table)

Two-Minute Olive Tapenade

Black olives, capers, and olive oil make a salty spread that you’ll hungrily smear on endless baguette slices. (via Mommy Musings)

Tortilla Española

You can’t have tapas without this traditional dish. All you need are potatoes, eggs, good olive oil, and a trusty skillet. (via Savvy Eats)

Fried Calamari With Cilantro Aioli

Looking for a dish with a little wow factor? Behold this simpler-than-you-think squid appetizer. (Baker by Nature)

Pan-Fried Cauliflower

Quick-fried cauliflower is a healthier alternative to fried cheese or meat, but it still tastes indulgent. (via Just a Little Bit of Bacon)

Cold Tapas Summer Party Menu

Entertaining in the summer often means firing up the BBQ, creating more heat and filling the patio with smoke. Why not treat your guests to a buffet of cold "tapas" and salads? All of the dishes listed below can be made ahead of time and kept chilled until ready to serve, including the light desserts. Here's a list of suggestions to make this Summer Tapas Party a party to remember, from decoration to music, and food presentation.

Time-Saving Suggestion: Do you ever have potlucks or share the cooking duties with friends? Select the dishes you'd like to serve, then print the recipes and give them to your friends to prepare and bring! It's less work for you and everyone gets bragging rights.

Tomato Bread - Pan con Tomate

Tomato Bread is simply toasted bread rubbed with fresh garlic and ripe tomato, then drizzled with olive oil and a bit of salt. It can be eaten by itself, but is often topped with cheese, ham or sausage and is eaten for breakfast or appetizer.

Spanish tapas recipe ideas

Here are some easy recipes you can copy to create your own Spanish tapas at home, if you’re dreaming of a five nights in Ibiza but can only afford a trip to Asda.

Gambas Al Ajillo

This dish is so simple but so delicious. Fry fresh prawns in chopped garlic, salt, pepper and crushed chilli flakes. Try to ignore the smell, which will make you want to scoff the lot as soon as they’re done.

Serve sizzling in the pan with fresh crusty bread.

Spanish tortilla

Fry finely sliced potatoes and onions in a pan for around 25 mins, and add beaten eggs. Cook for another 20 minutes or so to form a firm omelette. Can be served hot or cold.

Spanish tortilla always reminds me of a school trip to San Sebastian when I was a kid, where our host gave us tortilla sandwiches in our packed lunch every day.

Pan con tomate

Not technically Spanish, this is actually a typical Catalonian tapa that’s known in Catalonia as pa amp tomàquet. It’s only as good as the ingredients you use.

Fresh vine tomatoes chopped and mixed with finely chopped garlic, a generous glug of olive oil, salt and pepper. Spoon over big chunks of toasted bread.

I hammed mine up with some slithers of Iberian ham and can 100% recommend.

Meat and cheese board

I probably don’t need to tell you how to assemble a cheeseboard, but here’s what we put on ours: Manchego cheese (to tie in with our Spanish theme), the rest of the baguette from our tomato bread recipe, grapes, oranges, mini peppers, Iberian ham and other cured meats and cheeses.

Perfect for when you’re too full to eat another thing, but want something to pick at long after the hot dishes have disappeared.

Ham-wrapped bites

I’m not sure if there’s a name for these lazy recipes, but I also wrapped slithers of Iberian ham around grilled peaches and fresh melon, drizzled with honey and served in my best bowl.

Ham croquetas

Croquetas should be on every tapas spread, but I feel like we often forget about them in the UK. BBC Good Food has an easy recipe.

Canarian potatoes

This is a relatively new foodie discovery for me, but you simply must try Canarian potatoes if you ever find yourself in the islands. There are so many fun things to do in Tenerife, but it’s still the food that stands out to me! This is an easy recipe to recreate at home, but you’ll need to serve the potatoes with Canarian mojo sauce if you want it to be authentic.

You can read my guide to the best places to eat in Tenerife for more Canarian food inspiration. I’ve listed all the local food you need to order while you’re there!

Where Does the Word Tapas Come From?

There are many debates about the origin of tapas. Depending on which part of Spain you are from, you may have differing opinions.

It is said that the first Tapas was simply a large piece of bread that was placed over top of a drink to keep the flies out. It is said, the word &ldquoTapas&rdquo was born from this experience.

Tapas serve as an amazing way to entertain and enjoy some delicious food. There are many recipes out there that can be used to create delicious tapas. Try your hand at this Spanish cuisine and enjoy.

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