|
||||
|
||||
 |
Food in focus |  |
|
Tapas crazy
|
||
|
Even though Tapas is currently seen as one of the trendiest ways to eat, the little bowls of Spanish snack food have humble origins, regardless of which of its many proposed beginnings you choose to believe. Yes, there is actually a fair amount of debate as to how the concept of tapas actually came into being.
The most commonly accepted history of these stylish bowls of Mediterranean cuisine is that they evolved from the very practical custom of putting a cover or "tapa" over a glass of wine or beer in order to stop fruit flies from dive-bombing the beverage. Often this "lid" took the form of a slice of bread or a plate of nibbles, such as olives and cheese, and eventually it just became customary to serve a small snack with an alcoholic drink.
Others believe that as "tapa" is the Spanish word for "cover" it referred to the fact that the small portions would "cover" your hunger between meals.
Slightly more whimsical is the belief that it all began with the Spanish king Alfonso the 10th who fell ill and had to eat small bites of food with a little wine inbetween his main meals. After his recovery, he apparently passed a law that made it illegal for wine to be served without a portion of food.
Far less romantic is the belief that farm workers were given small bowls of food before their main meal so that they could work for longer in the mornings. The main meal was usually so high in fat that the labourers required a siesta before they could continue to work. So the farmers decided to give them small meals to sustain them for longer and so that there was less work to do in the afternoon.
And finally, even more prosaic is the theory that Spanish inn keepers discovered that the sharp flavour of a matured cheese could disguise the taste of cheap wine and thus began serving pieces of cheese whenever they sold wine.
But, despite any of these possible derivations, the term and the concept of "tapas" has come so far that it is now being used to describe pretty much any meal that comprises a number of small meals.
Meze and Dim Sum
Meze platters and Chinese dim sum are very similar in concept to tapas. In most Mediterranean and Middle Eastern countries these small appetizers are accompanied by alcohol. In Greece meze platters are almost a kind of institution where diners are encouraged to linger over their meals. Often they are served with ouzo or raki.
Dim sum is slightly different as is usually eaten early in the day as a brunch. Dim sum usually consists of dumplings, rice and buns with a meaty filling. Often it is accompanied by a plate of vegetables, soup or a kind of porridge and is always served with tea such as bolay, green tea or chrysanthemum tea. Dim sum is so popular in China that it is now possible to purchase pre-made dim sum from the local supermarket or even from a fast food outlet.
Eating tapas
In certain areas of Spain it is common for the price of the tapas to be included with the price of the drink and often they have a selection of about 10 different types of tapas that patrons can choose from. Often warmed pita or naan breads are supplied with the tapas so that the more watery sauces can be mopped up.
Tapas and meze have also become the ultimate social dish. Often diners order a number of different tapas dishes or even ración (full-sized platters) and share them.
Making your own tapas
There is no quintessential recipe for tapas. Because of its evolution, it seems that almost anything that can be eaten in a small portion could be referred to as tapas. So, start searching through your cupboards. You can use almost anything.
However, there are certain dishes that are considered to be more traditional tapas than others. Lets talk about some of them.
Patatas Bravas
A simple potato dish consisting of crispy fried potatoes in a tomato and mayonnaise sauce.
Ensaladilla
A portion of various veggies that have been boiled and then tossed together with tuna, mayonnaise and olives.
Pinchitos Morunos
These are Moorish kebabs and are made with pork (originally they were a lamb dish). Often they are spiced with cumin or other curry powders.
Chorizo al vino
Chorizo is an extremely popular pork sausage in the Mediterranean area. For Chorizo al vino, it is left to cook slowly in wine and often spiced with paprika for extra flavour. Chorizo can also be used in a variety of other ways such as covering it in dough and then deep frying the subsequent dumpling in oil.
Rajo Rajo is pork that has been flavoured with garlic or parsley. If rajo is seasoned with paprika it is rederred to as zorza.
Aioli
This is a garlic paste which is made from oil, salt and garlic. It's taste is very strong and it is often spread over warm breads and served with meats and vegetables.
Boquerones en Escabeche Also a dish of Moorish origins, Boquerones en Escabeche is actually pickled anchovies. The concept actually came from an old method of preserving fish. It was so tasty and popular that it has survived to modern times.
Tortilla de Patatas (Spanish omelette) Where would we be without the most classic tapas dish of all time? The Spanish omelette. It has a number of variations and can be served with onions or mayonnaise, depending on your own personal tastes.
Scrambled eggs with meat Another traditional Spanish tapa, scrambled eggs cooked with some type of meat is very popular. Try bacon or chorizo, ham or pork. This really is a simple dish that would require great skill to bungle.
Garlic mushrooms
Mushrooms that have been infused with different spices and olive oils and often Spanish sherry as well, are a great tapas dish, which is served all over Spain.
These are only a few of the many different tapas dishes available. There are many more and you can even design your own. All you need to do is a search for tapas and start planning that dinner party NOW!
|
|
 |
10 Tapas |  |
|
Tip of the day | |
|
Making the original tapas
|
