Tapas party?

[Little Cupcake]

Hey,

I'm thinking about having a tapas party. Any recs for types of tapas/recipes?

Places to find some of the more obscure ingredients?

Thanks!

[Olivia]

You mean tapas in the true sense (ie. Spanish nibblies) or the broader term for small portions of things?

I'll assume Spanish. Classic tapas include:
-tortilla (the egg and potato omelette)
-croquettes (cheese, ham, or plain bechamel)
-serrano ham, sliced thin, draped on a plate
-stuffed piquillo peppers

And of course X on baguette rounds. Some X ideas:
-stewed octopus
-fried calamari
-marinated white anchovies
-sauteed mushrooms

Google for more ideas, as there are *many* classic tapas, bread or no bread.

I don't know where you live, but you can start with a good farmer's market or upscale fancy-pants gourmet shop for the "obscure" stuff.

[JungMann]

Some of the more popular tapas I've served included:
tortilla
datiles con tocino (dates wrapped with bacon)
camarones rellenos (shrimp stuffed with pork)
gambas al ajillo (garlic shrimp)
albondigas (meatballs in saffron broth)
manchego cheese topped with membrillo and crisp serrano ham
croquettes with assorted aioli
patatas bravas (spicy potato sqeares)

Of course a plate of good olives, sausages (don't turn your nose at a good morcilla!) and preserved fish goes great nearby.