How to Host a Tapas Party

October 17, 2016
how to host a tapas party
As a Spaniard I'm really proud of our food. Eating well is not only a pleasure for us but also part of our culture. On today's post I'd like to show you what goes into eating, entertaining and drinking like we do. There's no better way to do that than showing you how to host a tapas party. Let's start with the basics:

  • The main idea is serving a series of shareable small colorful plates. Don't divide your meal into starters, entrees and sides. Here, any dish can be the star of the show. 
  • Tapas are appropriate for any time of day or night. 
  • They are designed to be eaten while standing up. You hold a tapa with one hand and your drink with the other (beer, wine, cider or sangria are our favorites). 
  • Most of them are finger food. 
  • You don't have to worry about food getting cold, tapas are served at room temperature.

how to host a tapas party

how to host a tapas party

The list of tapas you can make is endless but here's a roundup of my favorites:

  • Steamed mussels with diced tomato, green pepper and onion on top.
  • Olives with different dressings.
  • Spanish omelette (recipe).
  • Cheese platter (must include at least one wedge of Manchego cheese).
  • Fried morcilla (black pudding) served with foie-gras and bread sticks.
  • Croquetas (croquettes). They are usually made with ham but the ones in the photo above were made with cecina which is cured meat that may remind you of beef jerky.
  • Fish meatballs.
  • Bread slices with a slice of ham and a fried quail egg on top.

Another favorite of mine is this tapa riojana I posted last February. I recommend you to read the article because I also explain where the word tapa comes from.
how to host a tapas party

how to host a tapas party

how to host a tapas party

I've already numbered the drinks we usually order. However, I didn't mention the star of the summer gazpacho (recipe). On this particular occasion I opted for a sangria pitcher.  Make your own sangria following the recipe below.how to host a tapas party sangria recipe

how to host a tapas party

how to host a tapas party

What was your favorite dish? Would you like to host a tapas party?
xo Cristina

19 comments

  1. Love
    love
    love
    tapas/fingerfood/mezes
    you name it ;)

    Have a great start of the week!

    http://beautyfollower.blogspot.gr/

    ReplyDelete
  2. This looks great! The idea has caught on in France, where it's called an "apéritif dinatoire"--cocktail party, I guess, though the emphasis is on the food rather than the drinks.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Wow great photos! Now I want to try it on my own :)


    www.cielofernando.com
    FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM

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  4. This looks delicious, I'm a big fan of tapas style eating, I often make a few dishes like this and I find it all goes down much more easily :)

    Rosy | Sparkles of Light Blog

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  5. This looks amazing! Definitely want an invite to your next party ;)
    x Kenzie // Kenzieblogslife.blogspot.com

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  6. Yum! I love Tapas!

    Carolyn / thedinhreport.blogspot.com

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  7. What a cool idea for a party!
    I would love to do something like this! Great photos
    xo
    www.laurajaneatelier.com

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  8. This looks amazing!! I can't wait to try this sangria recipe!

    xx,
    Christie
    velvetviolets.com

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  9. This food just looks so healthy and amazinlgy tasty! And what good party isn't complete without sangria? ;)

    -Lor
    acozyspace.org

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  10. Omg this looks so delicious...
    Sangria is the best
    xx
    https://theonethattravels.wordpress.com/

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  11. I want to come eat at your house! This looks heavenly. Just perfect. You just inspired my boyfriend and I to have a sangria, cheese, and crackers night on Friday. I know it's not exactly tapas but it's better than nothing. Was the sangria easy enough to make? I've never tried it before but we have almost all the ingredients so it's seems like we are meant to be making it ;)

    www.thesparklingdarling.com

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  12. This looks delicious!!!

    Let's follow each other!

    https://monacristo.com

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  13. It's extremely easy to make, don't worry about it. If you have time, make it the night before, it tastes even better after the ingredients have been together for hours.

    ReplyDelete
  14. This looks amazing! Now I wanna host a tapas party.
    Kelsey | petiteinherpearls.blogspot.com

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  15. Wow! now am so hungry! I bet they all taste delish! They look so yummy!

    www.tessyonyia.com

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  16. Wow! That's a fancy feast. I love your blue table cloth.

    April
    https://www.instagram.com/aprilwashereblog/

    ReplyDelete
  17. how fun! this looks so delicious!

    http://www.heyprettything.com

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  18. The set up looks so beautiful and the food looks great!

    www.pennyanddash.com

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for taking out the time to leave a comment!