Spanish Tapas are a food experience to love.
While living in Salamanca, Spain – in the northwest part of the country, near Portugal – I am discovering a new world of food that I never knew before.
It’s called ‘Tapas‘ which, in Spanish, is a small portion of food that’s served as an accompaniment to a drink. The drink can be anything, like a glass of wine, beer, water, coffee, or tea. Tapas are traditional snacks full of color, flavor, and good nutrition.
If you enjoy learning about food history then here’s a story that describes the origin of the tapas tradition, from southern Spain in the area called Andalusia.
In the photo above, my 4 Salamanca tapas included these, starting with the bread basket and then moving clockwise: marinated anchovy fillets with olive; filled Spanish tortilla omelet; tuna hornaza which is a crusted seafood pie; complimentary pork snacks.
Tapas culture brings people together – especially friends and family – to eat a variety of Spanish-Mediterranean food and nutrition. Why? Because by creatively mixing together ingredients that are common in Spain, it’s not hard to plan a plate of delicious snacks and then to eat them with a drink while talking and laughing together.
3 Easy Spanish Tapas Ideas
Put these toppings on a slice of baguette drizzled with very fresh, extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) and secure it top-to-bottom with a toothpick. Then, drizzle again with EVOO.
- Slice of Parmesan or other hard cheese with bold flavor + roasted red pepper + EVOO
- Sardine fillet from a can + green or black olive + EVOO
- Soft goat cheese + smoked salmon + tiny tomato + EVOO
Getting Started with Mediterranean Nutrition
It’s not hard to switch over to a healthier way of cooking and eating when you notice that it brings you a feeling of better health and energy. With tapas made from Spanish-Mediterranean ingredients there are easy ways to reach success in your own kitchen. First, choose 2 of the 3 tapas recipes above; second, grocery shop for the ingredients to make them; third, set aside time to create a plate of tapas; fourth, invite your family or a couple friends to share the tapas! What Spanish Tapa will you try first?
My Mediterranean Menus report is free and my Tasty Mediterranean Pantry & Shopping Lists ebook will lead you to a kitchen full of health! Try it today!