Five EASY Spanish Tapas recipes!! All your favourites from the tapas bar – garlic mushrooms, marinated olives, Chorizo, Spanish Garlic Prawns/Shrimp, Spanish Marinated Olives and the famous Spanish Omelette (Tortilla).
This is the first of a 3 part Spanish Feast Special series that I’m sharing this week – complete with Spanish Wine pairings!
Hola! Who loves Spanish Food?? Me, me, me!!
Spanish food is made for gatherings. Tables laden with rustic food for sharing – no fussy giant white plates with a tiny portion of fancy food with names I can’t pronounce, garnished with tiny herbs and assembled using tweezers.
Spanish food is the polar opposite. Flamboyant, colourful, celebratory, generous, loud – and absolutely lip-smackingly delicious. Totally my kind of food.
And in the spirit of Spanish extravagance, this week I’m sharing something a bit special – a three part SPANISH FEAST MENU!!! 5 EASY Spanish Tapas recipes to start, a Chicken & Seafood Paella for the main and Churros for dessert. Woah! What a spread!
But wait….there’s MORE! What Spanish Fiesta would be complete without WINE??? So for each course, I have a wine pairing suggestion. 🙂 And to start? I’m grabbing this one for tapas – a Spanish Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain’s most famous wine region. 🙂
I love the name of this wine – La Mesa Y Los Amigos which means “The table and the friends”. Perfect for tapas, no? 😉
Besides the name being perfect, it’s a really great pairing with tapas! I wanted something pretty neutral – medium bodied and smooth so it didn’t overpower the kaleidoscope of flavours in my Easy Tapas menu. This Tempranillo is a dry red with a subtle warmth of spices and it is exceptional drinking for the price which I never would have guessed as being only $12 a bottle at Dan Murphy’s (I kid you not, I was shocked). I love finding gems like this – and I love sharing these finds with you!!
A note for wine nerds: Tempranillo is a Spanish black grape variety that is native to Spain, used to make medium to full bodied wines. It’s grown fairly widely around the world now, including in Australia and the States.
EASY SPANISH TAPAS RECIPES
I think that tapas, paella and churros are probably the most well known Spanish dishes in the world and I’m pretty darn excited to be sharing those with you this week! To kick things off, five easy Spanish Tapas recipes. I’ve added notes in the recipe for how to prepare these ahead so you don’t have to be scurrying around in the kitchen when your friends arrive. 🙂
Here’s a little run down of each of the recipes in this Tapas spread.
Garlic Prawns/Shrimp and Chorizo – The two dishes that I always order at tapas bars!
Garlic Mushrooms and Spanish Marinated Olives – Possibly my favourite way with mushrooms! The olives are just plain store bought olives that are dressed with herbs and citrus. Yum!
Spanish Omelette (Tortilla) – Arguably one of the most delicious omelettes in the world and commonly served as tapas in Spain! Because this requires a few more steps than the other recipes in my Easy Tapas recipes spread, I’ve included it as a separate recipe – get it here.
Jamon, Spanish Manchego Cheese and White Anchovies – Jamon is the Spanish version of prosciutto and it’s now widely available in Australia, even in supermarkets! Manchego is a Spanish cheese that is made with sheep milk that is beautifully buttery with a mild tang – one of my personal favorites (and you know how much I love cheese!!). White anchovies are completely different to the black anchovies that come in a jar (used in things like Caesar Salad dressings) – they are way less salty and marinated in vinegar, not oil. Perfect for antipasto!
Tiempo a la fiesta!! (It’s time to feast!)
– Nagi xx
PS Don’t forget Paella and Churro to complete your feast!!
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5 Easy Tapas Recipes
Ingredients
Garlic Prawns / Shrimp
- 1/4 cup / 65 ml olive oil
- 4 garlic cloves – 3 smashed , 1 minced
- 250 g / 8 oz raw prawns , peeled
- Pinch of red pepper flakes
- Finely chopped parsley
- Optional: lemon
Garlic mushrooms
- 1/4 cup olive oil (65 ml)
- 4 garlic cloves – 3 smashed , 1 minced
- 300 g / 10 oz Swiss brown or other small mushrooms
- Finely chopped parsley
Chorizo
- 2 (~250g / 8oz) chorizos , sliced (Note 3)
- 1/2 tsp olive oil
Marinated Olives (Note 4)
- 250 g / 8 oz plump black and green olives
- 1 clove garlic , minced
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
- 2 tsp Lemon or orange zest
- 1/3 cup olive oil (85 ml)
- 1 tsp fresh rosemary leaves (or 1/2 tsp dried oregano or 1 tsp fresh thyme)
Spanish Antipasto
- Jamon cured ham
- Manchego Spanish Cheese
- White Anchovies
Spanish Omelette
- Spanish Omelette recipe here
To Serve
- Bread , Olive oil, Lemon wedges
- La Mesa Y Los Amigos Tempranillo Spanish Wine (great with tapas!)
Instructions
Garlic Prawns (Note 1)
- Place the smashed garlic in a skillet with the oil over medium heat. Sauté for 10 minutes, squishing the garlic down to squeeze juice out as it cooks, until garlic is golden brown. Then remove and discard garlic.
- Sprinkle prawns with salt and pepper. Turn stove up to high. When oil is hot, add prawns and cook for 2 minutes (for medium prawns) or until charred and just cooked. Just before the end, add the minced garlic and quickly saute, then transfer prawns into serving bowl.
- Sprinkle with parsley and red pepper flakes if using.
Garlic Mushrooms (Note 1)
- Halve or quarter the mushrooms, depending on size.
- Follow Garlic Prawn steps, except cook mushrooms instead of prawns. Cook the mushrooms until they are golden.
Chorizo
- Heat oil in a skillet over high heat. Cook Chorizo until golden on both sides, then transfer to serving bowl, scraping in oil in the skillet.
Marinated Olives (Note 4)
- Combine ingredients in an airtight jar. Refrigerate for 24 hours – no longer than 48 hours. Bring to room temperature before serving.
Spanish Antipasto
- Bring cheese to room temperature. Place on platter with ham and anchovies.
To Serve
- Place serving bowls / platters on table with plenty of bread to dunk into the leftover olive oil. Serve with your favourite Spanish wine!
Recipe Notes:
Giveaway CLOSED! Winners announced shortly.
ANNOUNCING: Spanish Fiesta Giveaway WINNERS!
The winners of the Spanish Fiesta Giveaway are:
Australia: Ian from the Hunter Valley, Belinda from NSW/Vic and Brittany!
Rest of world: Caitlin from Canada, Louellen from Sunny California, Sandra in the US
CONGRATULATIONS!! Each winner will receive a Spanish Fiesta prize pack of Spanish Wine, Paella Pan and Paella rice. I will email you shortly to arrange delivery!
4 x AUSTRALIAN PRIZES (Total Value A$600): 4 x Spanish Fiesta Gift Packs, each comprised of 6 x Spanish red wines (, 1 x 32 cm Miguel Maestre paella pan + 3 x paella rice. Delivered right to your door!
2 x WORLDWIDE PRIZES (Total Value US$300): Gift from me! 2 x Spanish Fiesta Gift Packs, each comprised of 6 x Spanish wines, 1 x 12″ paella pan + 1 x paella rice! If delivery is unavailable by Amazon or delivery cost is unreasonable due to winner location, the winner will receive an Amazon or Paypal gift voucher to the value of the prize.
Open To: Everyone, everywhere in this big wide world!!
To Enter: Just leave a comment below, telling me which country you live in and what your favourite tapas dish is! (PS Don’t worry if you can’t see your comment straight away, some need to be approved before they are displayed 🙂 )
Open Until: Monday 5 September 2016, AEST
Giveaway Terms and Conditions – You must be over 18 to enter in Australia, or over 21 in the rest of the world. Six winners will be randomly selected by a representative of Pinnacle Drinks. The winners will be notified by email and on www.recipetineats.com. If the winner does not respond within 7 days, another winner will be selected. For winners located outside of Australia, if the prizes cannot be delivered by Amazon.com or due to winner location, delivery cost is excessive, then the winner will receive an Amazon or Paypal gift voucher to the value of the prize.
Disclosure – This post and the Australia giveaway wine prizes are sponsored by Pinnacle Drinks, the geniuses who discovered and are spreading the love of Spanish wines throughout Australia! Wine and Spanish food lovers of the world such as myself thank you. <3
The paella pan and Paella rice included in the Australian prizes are donated by Maestre Family Food.
The Worldwide Prizes are being provided by me, Nagi Maehashi of RecipeTin Eats.
.Life of Dozer
This is the day I bought Dozer. I took my sister with me under strict instructions to ensure that I did not buy a puppy, that I was just window shopping. We had 3 puppy viewings lined up for that day.
Suffice to say, I never made the other two puppy visits.
Oh, this is the best!
My favorite tapas would have to be … garlic shrimp/prawns. I can’t wait to try these recipes!
Thanks for this surprise and for all of your posts.
Best to you and Dozer, that cutie!
Thanks Judy!!! Hope you had a wonderful weekend 🙂 Dozer says WOOF!
I live in the U.S. and I love olives of all kinds. A delicious marinade makes them all the better.
I whole heartedly agree!
Garlic prawns (or anything lol) are my fave tapas- Australia
As our daughter and so in law lived in Spain for about 3years would love to win this for them. Next year they have there friend coming over to stay. What a great surprise for our Daughter this would be. Thank you.
Lorraine.
I live in the United States. I must tell you a story about tapas. It’s funny this should come up. We recently moved here from West Virginia where there are no places that serve tapas. Our daughter is one of the hosts on America’s Test Kitchen and she and here family from Boston arrived here earlier this week. One of the only places she mentioned that she wanted to go to is a tapas restaurant. We’ve all agreed to going on Friday evening. So, I’ve never sampled tapas but I’ve heard lot about them. And I’m pleased to enter your generous giveaway. Thank you so much for the opportunity.
BA HA HA! Isn’t that always the way??? 🙂 I had never made porchetta before then on the day I ordered pork to make it, I went to a lunch where porchetta was served!!!
I live in the USA. I love the garlic prawns. My husband is from Spain, and I’ve enjoyed learning how to make his favs.
Everything looks so delicious! One of my favorites is Bacon Wrapped Dates. (I’m in the USA.)
Oooh! It’s such a fabulous flavour combo, isn’t it?? 🙂
Hi Nagi!
I am from Ipoh, Perak , Malaysia. I love all your recipes and have tried many out and the results are always amazing especially the indispensable Charlie Sauce! My favourite tapas has got to be the garlic prawns without a doubt! Am waiting to try your Paella recipe soon! ??
So glad you love Charlie too Peggy!! 🙂
United States
Spanish Omelette is my favorite ?
Hi Nagi, just as we say here in Spain … !Vaya Tapas! 🙂
What a delicious selection you have here. I,ve been living in Madrid for over 10 years and my favorite tapas are Garlic Shrimp and Chorizo with some cubed spanish tortillas.
Goes well with a chilled sangria.
Hi Nagi
My name is Brenda, originally from Scotland, but now live near the Sunshine Coast Queensland Australia.
My favourite all time tapas would be Salt cod croquettes.
Or as the Portuguese say Bolinhos de Bacalhau , as my husband’s family are from Portugal.
Very hard to pick just one but it would be garlic mushrooms. Nomnom! Bonnie Scotland.
I live in Brisbane, Australia – I love your Spanish tortilla and will be making this (along with your paella) for my coeliac family when they come to stay with us at Christmas. Great recipes and gluten free to boot, thanks so much. I can’t wait to enjoy these in the sun with some Spanish red and crusty bread (for me). Would love it if you could do a recipe for Sangria??
Oooh! What an Aussie Christmas! 🙂 N x PS I definitely plan to do Sangria closer to summer. So cold right now, I want a mulled wine!!
Hello from Perth… my favourite Tapa would be Pimientos de Padron followed closely by Boquerones (White Anchovies in Olive Oil and Vinegar) but my all time favourite is Paella. Thanks Nagi for all your amazing recipes our favourite being One Pot Greek Chicken & Lemon Rice
Far North NZ, can’t think of one I don’t like – every time I try to think of a favourite my mouth waters and I off to the kitchen with eyes wide open. Bugger here we go again.
p.s.
Love ur site
Ba ha ha! I am the same Jon….I could never choose just one! 🙂
I live in Wurruk, in East Gippsland, abut 200ks east of Melbourne Australia. I love the marinated olives and the omelette.
I love the name of where you live 🙂 N x
Hi Nagi!
I am currently living in Mesa, Arizona, USA. ALL the tapas recipes look amazing and I will be making them all. However, I have made one (and LOVED IT of course…) the Garlic Prawns were AMAZING and of course I played with it just a bit…I used preserved lemon with it. FAB-U-LOUS!!!!
Have you experimented yet with your caprese dish yet (tried it with chicken like I did…) or made your berry oat bar with a cheese component yet? I did…the boyfriend LOVED IT!
Hi Nagi. Well all I can say your recipes are just fantastic and easy to prepare. I must admit that all your tapas dishes are delicious but if I had to pick One I would choose the olive tapas.
I have a big soft spot of olives!!! 🙂 N x
Hi from a sunny winter South Africa. My favourite tapas is the marinated olives. Your passion for good food comes out every time in your recipes and they are always shown with amazing pictures and clear instructions. Love the fact that you give alternatives appropriate to other countries. So helpful. Thank you!!! P.S. wish you would offer a puppy as gorgeous as Dozer as a bonus prize.
I love that you’re suffering through winter like we are! 🙂 Oooh….can you imagine doing a puppy giveaway?? I totally could you know….I know a breeder who ships golden retrievers all around the world!!!
I live in So. California USA. I love the garlic shrimp and will try all other tapas soon.
I am new to cooking and trying to dip my feet into trying new cuisine and recipes! I grew up on food of hamburgers, chicken, pastas and veggies. Mum was a really good cook but her recipes were traditional it was the mid 1980’s! Our exposure to world cuisine was our local chinese resteraunt two towns away!
I live in USA, Massachusetts to be exact!
I tried a recipe for Tuna and Avacado Tapas- it was delicious!!
I want to try your Spanish omelette! I have never seen most of these recipes before! Very exciting!