Tapas: Menu Ideas for Popular Spanish Appetizers

Inviting your friends over for a tapas party is a great way to liven up your social calendar. Play a little Spanish guitar music and serve up sangria with these shared appetizer-size treats.

Tapas in Spain and in North America

Tapas originated in Andalucia, a southern province of Spain. The word "tapa" translates as "cover." Tapas traditionally may have been a complimentary piece of ham served on top of a glass of sherry (hence the word cover), but we know them today as small portions of food commonly served as a snack while having a drink.

Tapas can be as simple as a bowl of olives, or something more hearty, such as stuffed potatoes. There are Tapas bars in most of the major cities. All plates are shared.

Putting Together a Tapas Menu

Some of the more innovative tapas treats include:

• Miniature Iberico and Jalapeno Souffles
• Pears with Cabrales Cheese and Fried Sage Leaves
• Seared Scallops with Saffron-Orange Aioli
• Serrano Style Ham and Potato Phyllo Pizza with Mahon
• Sherried Stuffed Mushroom Turnovers

Serve the above with a glass of wine, an ice cold beer, or sangria.