As some of you may already know, I am in a quest to become a great host. Growing up my mom was an exquisite entertainer. She would create these magical moments and would leave all of her guests delighted by her events. I desperately want to replicate that. I want to turn my home into a house of gatherings, where magical moments are carefully crafted to pamper all those who I love.
I decided to take my husband's birthday and put my mom's magic to work! As per his wishes, we decided to throw a TAPAS PARTY! He loves tapas, a cold glass of "clara" and spending quality time with our friends.
The Menu: A Symphony of Flavors
Now, onto the star of the show: the food! Here’s a well-rounded tapas menu that we decided to prepare for his special day:
Goat Cheese dip with grilled cherry tomatoes
Ingredients
For the dip:
200 gr of feta cheese
1 pinch of salt
1 tablespoon of olive oil
1 teaspoon of dried garlic
For the tomatoes: 500 gr of cherry tomatoes
salt and pepper to taste
1 teaspoon of dried garlic
1 teaspoon of olive oil
Put the feta cheese with the olive oil in a food blender and process it until you get a texture similar to cream cheese.
Put the cherry tomatoes in a pan and take it to a preheated oven until the tomatoes have been grilled.
Plate the cream cheese. Place the grilled tomatoes on top of the cream cheese.
Bruschettas with Escalivada
Ingredients:
Toast
Grilled aubergine, peppers and onions
Anchovies
Place the grilled aubergine, peppers and onions on top of a toast. Put an anchovie on top of the grilled vegetables. You can sprinkle some pesto or hot sauce.
Rolled Boquerones
Ingredients:
1 can of boquerones "al escaveche" (olivo oil and vinegar)
fresh parsley
fresh garlic
paprica
salt
Season the rolled boquerones with the parsley, galic and paprica. Roll into balls and stick a toothpick. Serve.
Grilled veggies with Alioli
Ingredients:
Grilled Veggies (as much as you want) I choose radishes
For the alioli
1 egg
200 ml of oil
lemon juice
1 tablespoon of dried garlic
In a blender of food processor, place the egg and oil and mix until you get a cream similar to mayonnaise. Add the lemon juice, garlic and salt. Continue mixing.
Take the veggies to an over until they are grilled. Serve the veggies with the alioli on the side.
Feta, Nuts & magic oil
200 grams of feta cheese
4 table spoons of olive oil
100 grams of nuts
100 grams of dried cranberries
lemon zest
1/2 teaspoon of rosemary
Place the olive oil on a plate. Break the feta cheese apart into uneven pieces. Place on top of the olive oil. Add the nuts, dried cranberries and the lemon zest. Stir. Add the rosemary before serving.
Garlic & Olive bread
Ingredients:
150 millimeters of warm water
25 gr of fresh yeast
50 mml of oil
4 eggs
160 grams os corn starch
110 grams of rice flour
1 teaspoon of bantam gum
1 tea spoon of baking powder
Olives
Dry garlic
Dissolve the yeast in the warm water and let it rest. It will start bubbling, that is normal. We want that! Mix the eggs with the oil, and add the activated yeast. Add the dry ingredients. Stir until you get a nice dough. It will be sticky, that is also ok! Place in a baking pan. Let it rest. You will notice that it will rise. Once it has risen, add the olives and garlic. You may also put galic and salt to taste. Take to a preheated oven for 40 minutes.
Glased chorizos
Ingredients:
250 grams of chorizo
4 tablespons of wine vinegar
1 tablespoon of honey
Cut the chorizos into slices. Grill in a saucepan until the grease had melted. Take the grease away. Add the vinegar and honey and cook until the vinegar turns into a syrup. Enjoy!
Hosting Tips for a Smooth Evening
Prepare Ahead: Many tapas can be made in advance, so take advantage of this to reduce stress on the day of the party.
Keep It Casual: Tapas parties are all about mingling and enjoying the food at a leisurely pace. Encourage your guests to help themselves and move around.
Mix and Match: Don’t be afraid to mix traditional Spanish dishes with some of your own favorites. The key is variety and flavor.
Engage Your Guests: If you’re up for it, involve your guests in the cooking process. Set up a DIY tapas station where they can assemble their own pan con tomate or bruschettas.
Enjoy the Moment
The most important part of any party is to enjoy yourself. A tapas party is about savoring good food and good company. Don’t stress about perfection—your guests will appreciate the effort and love you put into hosting. So, pour yourself a glass of cava, put on some Spanish tunes, and enjoy the lively, delicious experience of a tapas party.
¡Salud! Here’s to great food, wonderful friends, and unforgettable gatherings.
Getting everything ready
Planning a tapas party can be a delightful yet daunting task. To ensure your gathering is as enjoyable for you as it is for your guests, we’ve created the ultimate party checklist. This handy guide will help you stay organized, from menu planning to setting the perfect ambiance. Download our party checklist now and take the stress out of hosting, allowing you to focus on what truly matters—creating fun and flavorful memories with your loved ones. Get ready to throw the best tapas party ever with El Encuentro!
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