The Tapas Sauces

Tapas and Sauces from Spain

Recipes

Spice up Winter Meals with Salsa Brava

Winter is well and truly here but there’s no need to feel blue. Why? Because winter is the season for cooking. Nothing beats a hot and spicy meal at the end of a cold day. The sound of ingredients sizzling in the pan, the comforting aromas wafting through the kitchen, the prospect of a deliciously spicy meal to share with your friends or family: it simply doesn’t get any better, does it? Enter The Tapas Sauces Salsa Brava! This unique sauce is one of Spain’s best kept secrets. For centuries Spaniards have been enjoying the warm and comforting flavors of salsa brava in their cooking. So join us as we explore a range of unique recipes with salsa brava, perfect for spicing up winter mealtimes. 

The Origin of Salsa Brava

Salsa Brava has its roots in Spanish cuisine, and is specifically associated with the region of Madrid. Typically served with patatas bravas, a beloved tapa, this sauce has become a staple in Spanish gastronomy. Over the years, it has traveled beyond its homeland, becoming a firm favorite in kitchens all around the world. Try out The Tapas Sauces Salsa Brava for yourself and you’ll understand exactly why! 

Using Salsa Brava with Patatas

The classic pairing of Salsa Brava with patatas is beloved for a reason. Whether opting for fried, baked, or air-fried varieties, the application of Salsa Brava transforms simple potatoes into a delightful experience. Key aspects include:

  • Crispy Texture: The crunchiness of well-cooked potatoes enhances the sauce’s richness.
  • Flavor Contrast: The spicy kick of Salsa Brava beautifully contrasts with the buttery flavor of the potatoes.
  • Presentation: A generous drizzle of Salsa Brava over the top creates a stunning visual appeal, perfect for entertaining guests.

Now that we’ve got to grips with the essentials of bravas sauce, let’s dive into some recipes!

Classic Patatas Bravas Recipe 

What better place to start our journey than with a tried and true classic. Anyone who has visited Spain will no doubt have witnessed this classic Spanish dish flying out of kitchens in impressive numbers. The key to Patatas Bravas is in its simplicity and the winning combo of crispy fried potatoes with our truly inimitable salsa brava. Simply put, to taste it is to love it! If you find yourself craving potatoes but aren’t sure how to serve them, this recipe is perfect for you.

Fun with Fusion – Salsa Bravas in Mexican Cuisine

Looking to add some bold flavor to your favorite Mexican dishes? Try adding our salsa brava to the mix. This mouthwatering Chicken Enchilada with Salsa Brava, combines everything you love about Mexican food—melted cheese, corn tortillas, shredded chicken—and gives it a spicy twist. Ready in 15 minutes, it’s a quick and easy meal you can whip up in no time. 

Craving burritos but want to add an extra dimension to the flavor profile? Try this Chicken Burrito with Salsa Brava. This classic burrito recipe is perfect for people looking for a milder alternative to traditional Mexican hot sauce. Best of all you can rustle this tasty little number up in just 20 minutes!

Veggie-Forward Meal with a Spicy Kick 

Winter is the perfect time to up your veggie intake. Eating a varied and balanced diet gives you the strength and energy to power through those cold winter days. However, finding creative ways to make your veggies taste delicious can be tricky, but don’t fret! The Tapas Sauces is here to inspire you with a veggie-forward masterpiece: our Season Vegetables with Salsa Brava. Made with asparagus, green beans, red onions, zucchini, carrots, and leeks, this delicious meal is bursting with nutrients. Best of all, the simple addition of salsa brava gives this dish a spicy kick, transforming it into a healthy and flavorful winter meal to please all the family. 

Spanish Sauces for Every Occasion

Whatever you choose to cook this winter, let The Tapas Sauces bring the flavor. Our wide variety of traditional Spanish sauces range from hot and spicy, to sweet and creamy. Elevating home-cooked meals is easy when you’ve got your pantry packed with our enticing sauces. Hungry for more? Let The Tapas Sauces guide you through some of the best sauces you’re missing out on. And if you’re looking for more inspiration come mealtime, be sure to drop by our blog. 

Warm and Comforting Spanish Meals for Winter Dining

Winter is the time of year when we appreciate home comforts more than ever. There’s nothing quite like the feeling of coming in from the cold to a warm, home-cooked meal after a busy day. So if you’re looking to add some Spanish flair to your comfort food repertoire, you’ve come to the right place. The Tapas Sauces is here to guide you through a range of mouthwatering dishes that are sure to put a smile on the face of everyone at your dining table on a winter’s evening. So, without further ado, let’s dive into the recipes. 

Spicy Appetizers 

To kick things off, we’ve got two delightful appetizers that will whet your appetite and warm you up at the same time. Hailing from Madrid, Patatas Bravas is a dish that has long been a comfort food staple in Spanish homes and restaurants. Made with spicy bravas sauce—a delicious combo of tomato, olive oil, red pepper, chilli, salt, and spices—don’t be surprised if this satisfying dish becomes a feature of your winter cooking for years to come!

Equally spicy and satisfying is this recipe for Potatoes with Mojo Picon. A classic tapa recipe  that comes from the Canary Islands, it stands out for its use of Mojo Picón, a tomato-based spicy sauce with a hint of garlic. 

Meaty Meals with a Mediterranean Twist

Nothing hits the spot in winter quite like a meaty dish you can really sink your teeth into. Enter The Tapas Sauces with just the recipe to satisfy your cravings. These Meatballs Sevilla-Style make for a hearty winter meal that you can whip up in just 15 minutes. 

Similarly, if you like to be adventurous with your choice of meat, try this Veal with Salsa Chimichurri recipe. Famous for its tender texture and subtle flavor, veal has long been a staple of gourmet dining in Spain. But what elevates this dish beyond a simple meat dish? Well, that’s an easy one to answer: it’s the addition of salsa chimichurri from The Tapas Sauces. A sweet and spicy sauce that hails from Argentina, it stands out for its zesty kick courtesy of the lemon juice used in the recipe. In recent years, chimichurri sauce has been taking the world by storm and it’s no wonder why. Perfect for roast meat dishes, it’s the ideal sauce to amp up the flavor of your favorite recipes. 

Finally, for lovers of umami flavors and simple recipes, try these Grilled Mushrooms with Bacon and Salsa Verde. Ready in 15 minutes, this delightful mushroom dish is a breeze to make. Simply gather your mushrooms and fill them with smoked bacon and our delectable Salsa Verde, and voilà! You’ve got a mouthwatering mushroom meal in minutes! 

Spanish Seafood Recipes Perfect For Winter

In Spain, the concept of comfort food goes way beyond cheese and meat dishes. There are also plenty of seafood meals that Spaniards turn to during the winter. Take this Black Rice with Salsa Alioli as an example. Made with shrimp, calamari, monkfish, and black rice, it gets its creaminess from the addition of The Tapas Sauces Alioli. 

Alternatively, if you’re craving a seafood dish with a spicy kick, try this Mojo-Style Sauteed Vegetables with Prawns. Made with a whole host of delicious and nutritious veggies—onions, peppers, broccoli, asparagus, zucchini, green beans—this delicious meal is a great way to up your intake of veggies over the winter. Best of all, it’s ready in just 25 minutes, making it the ideal dinner meal for those busy days when time is of the essence.

Variety Is the Spice of Life

Winter is the perfect time of year to shake things up in the kitchen. Sure, we all have our signature dishes that we always fall back on, but getting creative in the kitchen is one of the simple pleasures in life. And that’s where The Tapas Sauces comes in. Our unique and varied range of Spanish-style sauces are a great way to introduce new flavors to your cooking. If you’d like to learn more, here is a handy guide to the best sauces you may be missing out on. For more recipe inspiration and cooking tips, be sure to visit our blog. 

New Year’s Eve Recipe Ideas Inspired by Spanish Cuisine

Panicking about that party or gathering you’re hosting soon? No need to worry. We’ve got your back. First off, it’s all about the atmosphere. You want music that sets the vibe, dim lighting that gets everyone feeling cozy, and a greeting at the door that says, ‘Welcome, you’re in for a party to remember.’

Then there’s the food. Potato chips and some other simple snacks in a bowl or two just don’t impress. What you need is something that keeps people mingling and happily fed. Enter The Tapas Sauces, with the very best of Spanish bites that are handheld, delicious, and ideal for socializing. These are snacks that say, ‘No need to sit down. Just take a bite and carry on partying.’

Ready to add a Spanish twist to your celebration? Let’s go! Or as they say in Spain, vamos! With these irresistible appetizers, your guests will be saying ‘gracias’ throughout the evening.

Chicken Wings Recipes with Spanish Flair

Chicken wings are the original party food. But add some Spanish flair, and they become downright irresistible.

Forget the bland stuff. These Chicken Wings with Salsa Chimichurri are marinated in a symphony of garlic, vinegar, and parsley, then grilled until they beg to be devoured. Top with a generous pour of Tapas Sauces’ salsa chimichurri. They’ll vanish faster than your resolutions to eat healthier next year.

If you think you’ve tried every version of fried chicken, think again. These Sevilla Style Fried Chicken Lollipops are battered, fried, and served with a Sevilla-style sauce that makes your taste buds shout olé. It’s messy, delicious, and worthy of a spot on your Instagram feed.

Pork Appetizers

The Spanish know their way around a pig, and your party guests will thank you for following suit.

Imagine the taste of Pork Ribs with Salsa Chimichurri that practically fall off the bone. Sounds good? Of course, it does. Roast them low and slow, then douse them in salsa chimichurri for a spicy, herby kick. By the end of the night, the only thing cleaner than those picked-over bones will be the empty platter they sat on.

Treat yourself and your guests to these delicious little pork loin sandwiches, otherwise known as Mantecadito of Pork Loin Sevilla Style. Sear thin slices of pork, tuck them into crusty bread, and drench them with our Sevilla-style sauce. It’s a mini feast in a bun, perfect for soaking up all the cava you’ve been pouring.

Bites for Veggie Lovers

Because a party without veggies is not a party at all, considering the way they dance on your taste buds. Beware, though, some veggies are known to boast all night about how nutritious they are. 

Golden, crispy potato cubes, doused in salsa brava. Need I say more? Actually, yes. Add a side of creamy aioli to Patatas Bravas, and even the most die-hard meat lover will be coming back for seconds. Simple. Addictive. No nonsense.

Vegetables with a Spanish attitude come to life in this Grilled Mushrooms and Bacon Salsa Verde recipe. Sauté mushrooms with bacon until everything smells like heaven, then hit them with salsa verde. If that doesn’t make you believe in a higher power, nothing will. Serve them as skewers, or let your guests go wild with a big communal plate.

Spanish Classics

The classics never go out of style. Just ask Spain. Or your parents.

It’s just eggs, potatoes, and onions, but the magic lies in the details when it comes to a Spanish Omelet with Salsa Sevillana. Slowly cooked until golden, then sliced and paired with salsa sevillana for an extra zing. You can even make this one in advance, so when midnight strikes, you’re not flipping eggs like a short-order cook.

Want to impress someone? Maybe yourself? Go for Black Rice with Salsa Alioli. It’s glossy, savory, and utterly dramatic. Add a dollop of salsa alioli, and you’ve got a dish that says, “I’m sophisticated,” even if you’re still wearing your New Year’s Eve pajamas.

Make This New Year’s Eve Unforgettable

There you have it: recipes designed to delight, surprise, and possibly save you from another year of bland party snacks. Bring the bold, unapologetic flavors of Spain to your table, and ring in the new year with food that demands to be celebrated. So, eat well, laugh loudly, and don’t worry too much about next year’s resolutions. They can wait.

Spanish Christmas – How Spaniards Celebrate Differently

If you’ve ever found yourself wondering how folks in Spain do Christmas, here’s what you need to know: it’s not like the holiday season in the USA. Spanish Christmas is something entirely different—like stepping into another world where centuries of culture collide with mouth-watering food and traditions that make you think, “Well, why don’t we do that?” It’s about taking it slow, laughing around the table, and savoring every bite of tantalizing tapas. Curious? Read on to uncover what Spanish Christmas is all about.

1. Christmas Begins with a Lottery, Not a Tree

Sure, most people start the holiday season with carols or a decorated tree. Not in Spain. Here, December 22nd is all about El Gordo—The Fat One, the biggest lottery in the world. The whole country watches on as schoolchildren sing out numbers on national TV. 

Yes, it sounds a bit strange—and it is—but that’s the charm. Win or lose, it’s just a reason to gather with loved ones, devour appetizers, and toast to good luck. The whole day has this buzz in the air, like life nudging you to savor the moment.

2. Nativity Scenes In Abundance

Spanish nativity scenes, or belenes, are an art form. Forget a simple manger with a couple of sheep—here, you’ll see miniature villages complete with market vendors, rivers, and hills. People in Spain take these seriously, and you’ll see them everywhere from shop windows to houses and beyond.

3. Nochebuena: The Big Feast

In Spain, Christmas Eve, known as Nochebuena, is the big day of celebration. Christmas Day is not. You can do as you please on December 25th but on the 24th, be ready for a huge family meal followed by an all-evening party. 

Let’s be clear about one thing: people in Spain do not eat turkey at Christmas. Instead, they prefer fresh seafood, which includes prawns, clams, lobster, and unbelievably delicious jamón ibérico. Cava, their very own bubbly champagne from Catalonia, flows freely, keeping everyone in good spirits. By dessert, turrón makes its appearance, a sweet, nutty treat that wraps up the night perfectly.

4. When the Clock Strikes Midnight

If you think dessert is the end of the night, think again. Not in Spain. After dinner, out come the guitars and tambourines, and villancicos (carols) are sung with both heart and skill. Sometimes, these celebrations can spill out into the streets, with spontaneous dancing and Christmas drinks in hand. It’s loud, fun, and the kind of night you’ll be sure to remember for years to come.

5. The Three Kings Rule in January

While much of the world is trying to get back to normal life, Spain keeps the spirit alive until January 6th: Día de los Reyes, or Three Kings Day. On January 5th, towns light up with parades where the Kings throw sweets to cheering crowds. The next morning, kids wake up and open gifts. Later in the day, everyone will enjoy a feast of Roscón de Reyes, a cake hiding a King figurine and a dried bean. Get the king, and you’re the champ for the day. Get the bean, and you’re, quite frankly, the opposite.

6. Every Region Does It Differently

Spain is a patchwork of cultures, and each region brings its own twist to Christmas. In the Basque Country, there’s Olentzero, a coal-smudged character who delivers gifts, kind of like a rugged Santa who works all day. Down south in Andalusia, Christmas carols are sung with a Flamenco flair. Everywhere, there’s a unique blend of ancient customs and a willingness to embrace the moment, whatever it holds.

Must-Try Spanish Christmas Recipes

Christmas in Spain is also about flavors that grab you by the taste buds and don’t let go. First up, Cod in Salsa Verde, a dish of tender cod fillets bathed in a garlic-and-herb-infused green sauce. It’s seafood magic, best enjoyed with crusty bread. 

Next, Papas Arrugadas with Mojo Picón, those salty, wrinkled Canarian potatoes that pair perfectly with a fiery, tangy red sauce. Spicy, addictive, unforgettable. 

Finally, Presa Ibérica Sevilla Style, a beautifully marbled cut of pork, seared until juicy and rich, served with a bold, meal-transforming sauce. These dishes don’t just taste good; they taste like Spain, like Christmas done right.

Make Your Christmas a Little More Spanish

If this has got your mouth watering, why not bring some Spanish flair to your table? A splash of salsa brava on potatoes or salsa sevillana over roasted veggies, and you’ll get a taste of Spain in a jiffy.

So, while you’re pouring your mulled wine and carving the turkey, think of Spain—a place where the food is bold, the traditions unforgettable, and the Christmas spirit is as lively and joyful as life itself. Feliz Navidad!

How to Make Spanish Tapas

You’ve heard of Spanish tapas. Maybe you’ve even tried them. But do you know how to prepare them yourself? Not many people outside of Spain do. But in this guide, we’ll teach you how to make tapas so you can whip up delicious Mediterranean treats for your next mealtime gathering.

Not only that, we’ll also teach you all there is to know about tapas. Not only will you find out how to cook them, you’ll also be able to show off your knowledge of Spanish cuisine. Ready to up your chef game and learn all there is to know about tapas? Let’s dive in.

Spanish Tapas Explained

First and foremost, what are tapas? Well, they’re not one particular type of food. Tapas can be pretty much anything. What makes them tapas isn’t so much the ingredients. It’s more about the portion size. 

Tapas are little dishes of food, about a quarter of the size of a meal for one, although occasionally, tapas can be as large as a third of a meal or even half. They were originally served in bars as a free accompaniment to a drink. 

Nowadays, especially in the more traditional bars, you can still be given a free tapa with your drink. The influx of tourism in Spain, however, has turned tapas into a delicacy.

You can now find tapas restaurants not only in Spain but across the world. Customers will order a range of tapas and enjoy little servings of different things, rather than one meal, on a single plate.

If you want to learn more about tapas, their history, and their fascinating story of origin, see our Ultimate Guide to Tapas from Spain. 

How to make Tapas 

Have you ever heard of a cazuela? This is a type of bowl that’s specific to holding Spanish tapas. If you can get yourself some cazuelas, your tapas evening will be about as Spanish as it gets. If not, you can use small dishes, but cazuelas give you that perfect tapas portion size.

Next, you have to fill these cazuelas with portions of Spanish food. Let’s take a look at some of the most popular tapas options from around the country.

Madrid Tapas

Diced and fried cubes of potato, smothered in Spain’s most popular sauce, is also known as Patatas Bravas. Although the dish originates from Madrid, it’s popular in every corner of Spain.

You can use the same sauce to prepare Season Vegetables with Salsa Brava, a vegetarian-friendly dish with a flavorful kick from the delicious sauces.

Andalus Tapas

Known in Spain as ‘albondigas’, meatballs are a popular tapas dish. With a drizzle of salsa sevillana on top, the result is this delightful Meatballs Sevilla Style recipe.

Likewise, Presa Iberica Sevilla Style is another meat and salsa sevillana combo. Pork is the most consumed meat in Spain and dishes like this one will help you understand why. 

To make chicken the way they do in a tapas bar in the sun-drenched south of Spain, try your hand at these simple Sevilla Style Fired Chicken Lollipops.

Pintxos and Montaditos

Pintxos are the most popular kind of tapas found in the north of Spain, especially in the Basque Country. Essentially, they’re little pieces of bread with an additional ingredient on top, which can be anything from cheese to fish or meat, held together by a skewer or toothpick.

Montaditos are similar to pintxos but are two small pieces of bread together with a filler ingredient. You could say they’re simply little Spanish sandwiches like this Mantecadito of Pork Loin Sevilla Style. 

A Tapa For Everyone

No matter what part of Spain you’re in, every Spaniard loves a slice of Spanish Omelet. As a tapa, this can be served on a small piece of bread like a pintxo, or simply on its own and consumed with a toothpick or small fork.

Valencian Tapas

Valencia is more famous for being home to Spain’s national dish, the paella, than it is for tapas. But you can prepare a paella or paella-style dish in tapas form. Try doing so with Black Rice with Salsa Alioli.

Canarian Tapas

When speaking of Spanish cuisine, let’s not forget the little Spanish islands that sit on the north-western African coast, the Canaries. Their most famous dish, often served in tapas form, is Papas Arrugás with Mojo. 

Similarly, you can cook the potatoes in a slightly more conventional way and opt for this Potatoes with Mojo Picón recipe as an alternative. 
For more Spanish-inspired recipe ideas, see our recipes and tapas.

Spanish Omelet: The Most Popular Dish in Spain

What springs to mind when someone mentions Spanish cuisine? Perhaps it’s paella simmering in a large pan as rice, vegetables, and seafood meld together. Or maybe it’s little dishes of tapas on a large table, being shared by many as glasses clink together. But here’s the thing.

While paella and tapas are pretty much synonymous with Spanish food, neither of them are as widely consumed as tortilla de patata, also known as the Spanish omelet. To not try it is to miss out on the heart and soul of Spanish cuisine and culture. But why is it so popular?

Simply put, the Spanish omelet is easy to make yet still manages to possess an incredibly comforting and delicious quality. This begs the question, what makes a Spanish omelet different from a regular omelet?

What’s in a Spanish Omelet?

The ingredients are simple and straightforward for a recipe that’s had such a big impact on the country. In its most basic form, there are just three ingredients needed to make a Spanish omelet.

  • Eggs
  • Potato
  • Olive Oil

Yes, that’s it. However, there are plenty of more elaborate variations of the recipe, which include mushrooms, cheese, spinach, and other ingredients depending on the desired effect. Thin slices of potato are added to a mixture of beaten eggs and fried in a pan of olive oil. 

That’s why the Spanish omelet has more volume and texture than a typical omelet, which is as flat as a pancake. The Spanish omelet is more similar in shape to a small cake, hence its name in Spanish, ‘tortilla de patata’ which literally means ‘little potato cake’. So, where does this delicious little treat come from?

History of the Spanish Omelet

This isn’t just a history lesson. This is also a cooking tip. How? Because knowing the history of what you’re cooking gives the opportunity to show off your knowledge at mealtime and tell those at your gathering the origins of your recipe. What’s more, people often appreciate their dish more if they know the story behind it.

It was said that the earliest mention of tortilla came from Navarra in 1817. It’s believed the recipe was invented by farmers who, during tough times, had very few ingredients to conjure up a meal. Eggs, potatoes, and a splash of olive oil were the basic ingredients they used to get creative and piece together Spain’s most popular dish.

This theory was all well and good until an earlier document from 1798 was found mentioning the dish in Extremadura. For that reason, the village of Villanueva de la Serena in the Extremadura region now claims tortilla as its own invention and has a monument to the dish in the heart of town.

But what if we were to tell you that there’s another document, just one year older, that mentions the tortilla being present in Valencia? Where it comes from remains up for debate, but one thing for sure is that the entire country loves it. 

Onions in the Omelet – a Divisive Topic

Careful here! Among Spanish omelet lovers, this can get a little heated. Some are purists and believe that the tortilla de patata should honor its original ingredients. But there are others who like to chop up some onions and throw them in the mix of eggs and potatoes so they become part of the omelet.

The version that tastes better is a matter of preference, but if you’re cooking Spanish omelet for the first time, perhaps it’s best to be on the safe side and prepare it without the onions.  

How to Make a Spanish Omelet

Sure, Spain is all the way across the Atlantic, but don’t let that stop you from bringing Spain to your kitchen. While the recipe for the Spanish is simple and straightforward, it’s still something that takes time to master with perfection. So gather your potato, eggs, and onion, and let’s get started.

  1. Slice the potatoes and cook them in olive oil. You want them to be soft rather than firm and crispy.
  2. This part is optional, but if you’re going to add onions, now’s the time to slice them up and add them to the pan.
  3. Drain the potatoes (and onions) from the pan and mix them with whisked eggs. Here, you can also add some sprinkles of salt. 
  4. Pour your eggs and potato mix into a pan with olive oil and let it cook.
  5. Once the lower side is done, here’s the tricky part: you now have to flip the omelet over onto the other side. Some people use a plate for this part to help them.
  6. Let the other side cook for a few minutes.
  7. Serve and enjoy.

You can also prepare the same dish with an Andalus twist by making this Spanish Omelet with Salsa Sevillana recipe. The difference in this version is the addition of a delicious and distinct sauce, native to the charming city of Seville.

Bring Spain to Your Kitchen with The Tapas Sauces

Some people love a little bit of sauce with their Spanish omelet, while others consider it to be a sacrilege. What do you think? Whatever you decide, there’s no reason to stop being creative. So keep experimenting and make the most of a whole world of flavors with The Tapas Sauces.

Halloween Party Snacks with a Spanish Twist

Wondering what food to prepare for your Halloween gathering? Don’t be spooked out. The Tapas Sauces is here to lend you an icy hand. We’re more than happy to help you stir your cauldron to conjure up something that will cast an everlasting spell on the taste buds of your guests.

Halloween parties and gatherings are not your typical evenings. That means, preparing a typical meal just doesn’t work. Instead, the ideal food to prepare is more along the lines of snacks and appetizers that guests can enjoy as they maneuver their way through the evening. So have no fear and dive into our latest tips and tricks. Ready?

Chilling Chicken Chunks

Is chicken right for a Halloween party? Absolutely, yes. But we’re not talking about preparing a whole chicken in the oven. What we mean is chicken in small portions. Wings, bites, and chunks that guests can pick up by hand and bite into with their fangs whenever they please.

Preparing Chicken Wings with Salsa Chimichurri is a great option for a thrilling night. This dish requires a little prep in advance, but it’s simple. You leave the wings to marinate in this much-loved Latin American sauce, then cook, serve, and watch your guests’ faces light up and frighten off the vampires.

For those who like to see bones on Halloween night, you’ll see plenty in these Sevilla-style Fried Chicken Lollipops. Ideal for parties, the part with the meat is pushed down to one end, leaving the bone there for you to pick up by hand and use as if it were a fork.

But you can also keep your snacks totally bone-free. This Chicken Burrito with Salsa Brava recipe combines a much-loved Mexican recipe with the most popular tapas sauce in Spain. This snack is so delicious, don’t be surprised if you encounter spirits at your door, demanding the recipe.

Petrifying Potato Snacks

That’s right, potatoes have a part to play in your Halloween party. Once cut up into small pieces, they make fantastic appetizers that can be left in a bowl for guests, ghouls, and ghosts to enjoy at will. So let’s take a look at some of them in their tastiest shape and form.

Probably the most popular tapas dish in the whole of Spain, Patatas Bravas will never let you down, especially not at a gathering. These little potato cubes are fried and then covered in streaks of Salsa Brava, giving them a slightly spicy tang that’s a real treat for the taste buds.

Similarly, Papas Arrugás with Mojo offers a distinct tang from sauce drizzled over potato, although the recipe is very different from the last one mentioned. Most notably, this dish uses Mojo Picón, a unique sauce that hails from the Canary Islands and enhances the flavor beautifully.

Vampire Veggie Bites

They’re easy to chop and shape into snacks, but here’s what else: they’re nutritious. To forget about vegetables for your party or assume they can’t be fun would be a huge mistake. Let’s discover the tastiest ways to bring them to the table.

The Japanese ‘tempura’ style of frying vegetables is already a hit in Spain, and in this Tempura Vegetables with Mojo Picón recipe, you can see why. Combining a much-loved Asian cooking technique with a delicious, Spanish sauce will make eating veggies more satisfying than ever.

You’ll be tempted to make this for breakfast or brunch, and sure, you can do that if you wish, but Grilled Mushrooms and Bacon Salsa Verde also serves as a great party snack. Prepare them on a large platter with cocktail sticks so that guests can eat them like party sausages.

Terrifying Tapas Treats

What’s the scariest thing that could happen at your Halloween party? Missing out on a delicious dish because you never learned to make it! Don’t worry. We’ve got you covered with two quick and easy treats to try.

You may have heard of montaditos. They’re little Spanish sandwiches made from two pieces of bread, resembling a mini baguette, and filled with tasty ingredients. Here’s one for the party, this Mantecadito of Pork Loin Sevilla-style. A few of these on a plate will keep the evil spirits of hunger away for everyone.

Finally, as the Spaniards will attest, the Spanish omelet is ideal for any party. Once you’ve prepared one, such as this Spanish Omelet with Salsa Sevillana, you simply slice it up into little cubes and allow guests to enjoy a piece each with a small fork or cocktail stick until they’re all gone.

Last but not least, we’d like to leave you with some quick tips for making your Halloween gathering one to remember.

  • Have some background music playing before the first guests arrive.
  • Place spooky decorations around the house, such as toy bats, spiders, and cobwebs.
  • Keep a few board games, card games, or other games ready to play.
  • Make it a costume party. Everyone has to wear something scary.
  • In addition to the food, have plenty of sweets ready in bowls for sharing.

For more Spanish-inspired meal ideas, you know where to find us, over here at recipes and tapas.

Spanish Fall Recipes with Seasonal Ingredients

What does the start of fall mean for eating habits and cooking trends? It means a world of opportunity is at your kitchen door. Now is the time to prepare some meals with the very best of seasonal ingredients, and with The Tapas Sauces, you can do so with ease.

All you need to know is what ingredients are currently at their best and what you can pair them with. For that, we’ve got you covered. Read on as we uncover the best Spanish recipes with seasonal ingredients and discover the tips and tricks that will rock your culinary world.

Mushroom: October’s Seasonal Delight

If you didn’t know already, October is the season for picking mushrooms. As the weather gets cooler and wetter, they flourish in the forests and grow all over the place. Given their neutral flavor, they pair well with plenty of ingredients and fit right into various, tasty Spanish recipes.

You can make the most of mushrooms by allowing them to take center stage in your next meal. For that, this Grilled Mushrooms and Bacon Salsa Verde dish is your best bet. Just when you thought mushrooms were something to enjoy on the side, they come along and act as the key ingredient in this spectacular dish.

But sure, you can still enjoy a side serving of mushrooms in dishes such as this Tempura Vegetables with Mojo Picón recipe. This dish also allows you to enjoy a whole bunch of other seasonal vegetables, cooked in tempura style, an irresistible method of frying that has even reached the tapas restaurants of Spain.

Fresh Green Bean Favorites

Although green beans come into season in the spring, they stay at their peak all the way through the year until late October. So, yes, it’s still green bean season. But be sure to bring them into your meals now while they’re still at their best in terms of both quality and price.

Green beans are known to pair particularly well with fish. Serve them on a plate of Cod in Salsa Verde for a vibrant green combination of flavors of nutrients. The fresh zucchini in this recipe also means yet another delicious, in-season vegetable to dazzle those taste buds.

If you prefer salmon to cod, that’s no problem either. Green beans make a tasty little addition to this Salmon in Papillote Salsa Verde dish. The fresh baby carrots and onions only add to that much-loved, veggie-based, comforting taste of autumn.

Pumpkin Perfection

It would be a real pity if the only thing we did with pumpkins in October was cut them into jack-o’-lanterns for Halloween. Like all squashes, pumpkins come into season in October and allow us to enjoy their sweet, fruity flavor in plenty of delicious meals.

Slice up some pumpkin into wedges like you would with potatoes and let them roast in the oven. When the skin is tender and you can pierce them with a fork, your roasted pumpkin wedges are ready and can be added to the side of this Chicken Wings with Salsa Chimichurri recipe.

Likewise, let them bring their sweet taste and comforting texture to a Baked Pork Chop in Salsa Verde dish. Add a drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of salt to the top of your wedges once removed from the oven, then enjoy them as part of this irresistible dish.

Spinach Specialties

Spinach can be enjoyed all year round, but it’s usually at its best from spring until the end of summer and the beginning of autumn. It pairs deliciously with bacon, cheese, soups, stews, salads, and stir-fry dishes.

The Spanish omelet comes in various forms across the Mediterranean country, and that includes one with spinach. When preparing a Spanish Omelet with Salsa Sevillana recipe, simply add cheese and spinach to the bowl of eggs and potatoes before mixing it all together and frying. This style of omelet is particularly popular in the Basque Country.

Or how about placing some fresh spinach into a Pasta with Salsa Verde dish? Adding it to the meal is simple. Just stir it in with the pasta so that it distributes around evenly, then add your final touch of grated cheese on top to complete another tasty cheese and spinach combo.


Seasonal Veggie Creations

Using seasonal vegetables means you also have new ways to get creative. Take advantage of the beginning of fall by bringing your favorite veggies to the kitchen and incorporating them into a dish you haven’t prepared before. Wondering what exactly?

Instead of focusing on one vegetable, why not go for a mix? In this Seasonal Vegetables with Salsa Brava dish, you enjoy the seasonal delights of asparagus, green beans, red pepper, zucchini, carrots, leeks, and red onions in one crave-worthy treat.

Or whip up something both veggie-based and herbaceous in this Jacket Potatoes with Salsa Alioli and Thyme dish. There’s no need to mourn the end of the summer when the beginning of fall brings so much culinary joy to your kitchen. For more meal inspiration, remember that The Tapas Sauces is happy to lend you a hand whenever you’re in need. You can count on us for recipes and tapas whenever you’re craving some Spanish-inspired cuisine.

The Best Sauces You’re Missing Out On

Stop what you’re doing! Before you go to the fridge and reach for that same old bottle of sauce you’re used to having, hear us out. Here at The Tapas Sauces, sauce is our thing, which is why we don’t want to let you keep settling for less. When it comes to sauce, there are a number of incredibly tasty yet little-known options that can totally transform your dining experience. Ready to discover what they are?

Join us as we share some of the culinary world’s best-kept secrets and explore the best sauces you’re missing out on. These are sauces that originate in Spain and are already loved by Spaniards, but here’s the thing: The Tapas Sauces will bring the flavors of Spain straight to your kitchen.

Salsa verde

When looking for a new sauce to bring to your recipes, the grass isn’t always greener, unless we’re talking about salsa verde. This vibrant green blend of sunflower oil, garlic, parsley, lemon, salt, and vegetable fiber is popular in various forms throughout Spain, France, and Italy. Be careful not to confuse it with the Latin-Aermcian sauce of the same name.

Salsa verde works a charm on seafood dishes such as Shrimp and clams in salsa verde, which is a light but classy meal that’s sure to impress guests. Serve this up on a special occasion and make it a memorable evening for whoever’s lucky enough to be in on the treat.

Or use the same sauce in a pasta dish, such as this Pasta with salsa verde. In appearance, you may think it looks like pesto, but in taste, salsa verde has its own herbaceous and garlicky qualities.

Chimichurri sauce

Chimichurri is a sauce from Argentina, though also popular in Uruguay and Brazil. It’s beginning to gain ground way beyond its place of origin and has spread across the wider globe. It’s a blend of olive oil, sunflower oil, garlic, lemon, honey, red bell pepper, chili, salt, and other spices, and is typically paired with roast meat.

Treat yourself, and everyone else around the house, to this Pork ribs with salsa chimichurri meal and see how quickly they start begging you for the recipe. This dish allows you to experience the classic Argentine taste of roasted meat alongside their much-loved sauce.

Yet chimichurri isn’t limited to roast meats. It also pairs deliciously well with fish dishes such as our Fish brochettes with salsa chimichurri. So even vegetarians can get in on the flavorful action as the sweetness of the sauce melds into the soft and salty flesh of tantalizing fish.

Salsa Alioli

Straight from the Catalan region of the Mediterranean coast, which encompasses parts of both Spain and France, salsa alioli may bear some resemblance to mayonnaise but its taste is stronger, more garlicky, and quite frankly, remarkable.

It’s often used as a salad dressing or as a dipping sauce for fries and other potato-based appetizers, but it also works wonders in recipes such as this Jacket potatoes with salsa alioli and thyme dish.

What’s more, why opt for typical old tomato ketchup or burger sauce when you can bring the taste of Catalonia to your burgers? Do so by preparing a Veal hamburguer with salsa alioli and you’ll have the most original-tasting burger in town.

Salsa Brava

One of the most popular sauces in Spain, Salsa Brava boasts a tasty mix of tomato, olive oil, sunflower oil, onion, red bell pepper, chili, salt, and spices. It typically accompanies fried potatoes in the popular dish known as Patatas bravas, but its versatility means it pairs with plenty more recipes.

A great example of the sauce’s more creative use is found in this Chicken enchilada with salsa brava. Enchilada hails from Mexico, but when its rich, cheesy, and flavorful ingredients meet a much-loved Mediterranean sauce, the result is a fusion of utter deliciousness.

Mojo picón

We think of Spain as a Mediterranean country, but let’s not forget about the Canary Islands that sit just off the coast of North-Western Africa, surrounded by Atlantic waters. There, you’ll find a distinct kind of Spanish cuisine with its own set of ingredients, such as the delicious salsa mojo picón.

This sauce, made from vegetables, sunflower oil, tomato sauce, vinegar, garlic, and spices, is most known to be the key flavor enhancer of the typical Canarian dish known as Papas arrugadas with mojo.

If you’re looking for ways to get more veggies into your meals, Tempura vegetables with mojo picón could be your next go-to dish. It makes an ideal, delicious appetizer to enjoy on a regular evening or movie night. 

Salsa sevillana

This sauce could be one of Spain’s best culinary secrets. Salsa sevillana comes from the city of Seville and you can find it in tapas bars all over the famous Andalus city. The strange thing is, despite its unique and much-loved flavor, it’s little-known beyond its place of origin,

Made from lemon, wine, and potatoes, you can take this hidden culinary gem and bring it to your mealtime for an original and exotic twist. Discover its flavorful quality in dishes such as Presa ibérica sevilla style in which a generous drizzle of this rich and creamy sauce makes the meat impossible to resist.

As the people of Seville can attest, this sauce is best known as a flavor enhancer for pork dishes. Experience its flavors in a Spanish-style sandwich by preparing this Mantecadito of pork loin Sevilla style.

With these sauces and meal ideas, you now have more than enough simple ways to bring more original tastes to your mealtime. Don’t miss out any longer. Experience their flavors today with The Tapas Sauces.

Back To School Meal Ideas

If you’re on the lookout for new recipe ideas to kickstart back-to-school season in style, you’re in luck. Our carefully selected variety of Spanish-inspired recipes will give you all the back-to-school meal ideas you need. The start of a new semester needn’t be a problem at all. From lunch box meals to family dinner ideas and tapas for sharing, The Tapas Sauces has got you covered.

Here’s what else: not only are these dishes rich in tradition, they’re also simple, meaning you don’t have to be an expert chef to make them. All you need is a handful of Spanish-inspired ingredients and the taste of Spain is already on its way to your plate. Ready to expand your culinary horizons?

Lunch Box Tapas Treats

Back-to-school season means a return to preparing lunch box meals for the little ones. Have you forgotten what to prepare yet? Either way, it’s good to have a few new ideas at hand so they can start the semester in good spirits. Even better if those meals have their very own Spanish twist.

More than just a sandwich

Say goodbye to bland old sandwiches and hello to something both Mexican and Mediterranean, but more importantly, mouthwatering, this Chicken burrito with salsa brava. By fusing Mexican cuisine’s burrito-style wraps with one of the most popular Spanish tapas sauces, lunchtime just got dazzlingly delicious.

Another sandwich-style lunchbox meal, but one that’s solely Spanish is the montedito, which consists of two small pieces of seed bread with tasty ingredients in between. This Mantecadito of pork loin Sevilla style is an impressively tasty example of that, complete with a highly satisfying drizzle of Salsa sevillana The Tapas Sauces.

Pasta for the Lunch Box

Pasta is ideal for lunch box meals, as long as you have a little plastic container to keep it in and a small plastic fork for the eating part. This Pasta with salsa verde recipe is among the quickest and easiest of meals to make and boasts a delicious blend of fettuccine, grated cheese, and Salsa verde the Tapas Sauces, which beams a vibrant green from its parsley.

Family Dinner Ideas

Packing the right lunch box meal is one thing, but eventually, the little ones are going to return home, and then what happens? Hunger strikes and dinnertime approaches, but that’s not a problem at all, right? The Tapas Sauces has done the hard work for you and found some delicious family dinner recipes.

While paella is Spain’s most popular dish, few are in-the-know about its various forms. For Spanish authenticity, but also distinct charm and originality, make this Black rice with salsa alioli and treat everyone’s tastebuds to a blend of much-loved condiments from Catalonia.

If it’s a special occasion and you’re looking for a dish filled with charm and elegance, this delicious and exquisite Salmon ‘en papillote’ salsa verde has got it all. With onions and baby carrots being part of the mix, our very own green sauce brings that extra flavorful kick to the dish when drizzled atop the freshly cooked salmon.

Dinnertime is a great opportunity to enjoy a meat treat, and one way that Spaniards often do that is by preparing a recipe like this Meatballs sevilla style dish. You may have tried meatballs before, but few have tried them with a delicious coating of sauce that’s one of the best-kept culinary secrets from the Spanish city of Seville.

Quick and Easy Tapas for Sharing

If you really want to have the ultimate Spanish dining experience, do away with your own dinner plate, and bring out some dishes for everyone to share. Those little servings that you can pick and choose from the plate as mealtime moves along are also known as, you guessed it, tapas.

Let’s begin by diving into one of the most popular tapas dishes in the sun-drenched, southern European country. We’re talking about Patatas bravas. This much-loved tapa, whose name loosely translates to fierce potatoes, originated in Madrid before becoming a nationwide favorite. Not only is it easy to make, it’s even easier to fall in love with.

A similar dish but with its own distinct method for cooking the potatoes and an equally unique sauce is this Papas arrugadas with mojo recipe. Spain’s Canary Islanders are the proud inventors of this one, and its popularity on their small set of islands has never waned.

While paella is regarded as Spain’s national dish and the most popular choice for visitors, do you know what Spaniards eat most? The famous Spanish omelet. So, how can you enjoy this as a shareable tapa? By simply cutting it up into small cubes and handing everyone a fork, just as they do in Spain.

For more meal inspiration, head over to our Flavorful Kitchen: Your Ultimate Food and Sauce Blog.