Grab your BOARD'ing Pass because we are going to SPAIN!
We've got you covered with a tapas board filled with small bites of delicious Spanish meats and cheeses!
Olé!
... welcome to the seventh board in my travel series - A Board'ing Pass to food destinations.
This week we are checking in to Spain! Spain is home to the Tapas board. A tapa is an appetizer of small food bites arranged on a platter or wooden board. Tapas can be appetizers of either cold or hot foods.
So, grab your board'ing pass as we take off to SPAIN!
History of the Tapa!
In my search on the history of Spanish tapa, I learned that there were many versions to the story of how the tapa came to be. Let's explore:
Tapa: Spanish verb: Tapar "to cover" or a "lid"
It is said that back in the 13th century, King Alfonso X of Catille was recovering from illness and could only eat & drink small amounts of food, leading to the development of the tapa.
In the 19th century, Alfonso XIII ordered wine at a tavern in Cadiz. Cadiz is a windy city, therefore the bartender served him his wine with a slice of ham on top to keep the sand out. The King enjoyed it so much it became a trend, and the tapa was created.
A farmers bar in Seville, bartenders would serve beer or sherry with a saucer on top to keep flies away. They realized they would use saucers to serve a little ham, cheese and olives. Customers like this and would come back for it.
Before the 19th century, travelers would stay at inns. For travelers to sample the food innkeepers would offer, they would allow guests to sample their dishes with small bites - Tapa!
We may never know exactly which version of how the tapa got its start, but we can definitely enjoy the cheeses and meats that Spain has given us in the same fashion - with small bites!
Let's begin...
Ingredients:
Serving: 4 - 8 people
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Items you will need:
Meats: Chorizo
Cheese: Manchego
Bread: Baguette, Mini Toast
Fruits: Grapes, Kiwi fruit, Heirloom cherry tomatoes
Accompaniment: Manzanilla olives, Almonds
Spread: Fig quince wedge
Greens & Herbs: Rosemary
Tapa Layout:
Begin with approximately a 13" paddle board or platter and two bowls.
Step 1: Place two small bowls on the board on a diagonal.
Step 2: Slice your baguette and place them in the center of the board.
Step 3: Place your grapes on either side of your bread between each bowl.
Step 4: Slice your manchego cheese into triangular pieces and place on the board, as shown above.
Step 5: Slice your chorizo into small bite size pieces. Place the chorizo sausage on the board and cluster your small bites in front of the sausage.
Step 6: Prepare your kiwi fruit flower. Can be found under 'food prep' section of my blog. Place each kiwi fruit beside the grapes.
Step 7: Add the mini toast on your board beside the chorizo and manchego, as shown above.
Step 8. On one of the little mini toast, place fig quince wedge.
Step 9: Place your small heirloom cherry tomatoes between your baguette slices.
Step 10: Fill one of your bowls with almonds.
Step 11: Fill your second bowl with manzanilla olives.
Step 12: Add sprigs of rosemary to your board.
Tapas board
Mini Tapas!
How fun is it to serve your guest a tapa, on top of a wine glass!
until next time...
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