How to Throw a Tapas Party

Shrimp

Tapas are a Spanish trademark, found in bars all over Spain, and are now a spreading trend around the world. Tapas are tiny, flavorful bites or snacks that are meant to be shared and savored. The tapas crawl, or tapeo, is a tradition in Spanish towns where patrons sample a variety of tapas, going from bar to bar. Have your own tapas party and make it an intimate, memorable night.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Recipes to share with invites
• Sangria or Rioja
• Small plates
• Spanish music for the night of the party, such as Gipsy Kings or Rosario
• Cards to vote (optional)

1. Select the tapas you are going to serve from either a food website, a book or any reliable source. Depending on the number of invites, make sure each person brings at least two tapas, or that you make extras.

2. Create recipe cards for each of the tapas chosen. For example, if you choose squid with mayonnaise, write up what the invitee will need to make this dish. Use these cards as suggestions and as items to spark your invitees' curiosity. Say that they may bring any tapas dish of choice, and that the recipe is only a colorful suggestion.

3. Send invitations. Make sure each person RSVPs so that you know how many people and how many platters to make.

4. On the night of the party, make your own sangria. You can either make white wine sangria, usually with white fruit such as apples and peaches, or red wine sangria, with cherries and strawberries.

5. Play music. Music adds atmosphere. Play music from the Gipsy Kings or Rosario.

6. Allow guests to vote on their favorite tapas dish. This is an option that will create an interactive atmosphere.

Tips & Warnings

• You will need to have at least two tapas per person invited.

• A great book to check out is "Tapas, Delicious Little Dishes from Spain."

• Instead of sangria, you may also purchase bottles of Rioja.

• Make sure to ask if anyone has allergies to seafood or other foods. Many tapas have seafood in them.

Resources

• Tapas ideas