The Tapas Sauces

Tapas and Sauces from Spain

Recipes

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.

A Guide to Spain’s National Dish: La Paella

You’ve heard of paella, but what do you really know about Spain’s national dish? Ever wondered where exactly it comes from, why it’s so popular, and how you can make it yourself? Well, it’s time to stop being a rookie and start becoming an expert.

Join us as we guide you through all you need to know about paella. Together, we’ll explore the dish’s origins, its key ingredients, the sauces you can use to enhance its flavor, and more. So, let’s dive into one large paella pan of tips, tricks, and culinary secrets.

The Origins of Paella

Spain’s proudest dish comes from the coastal region of Valencia. It’s believed to have been invented by farmers in the fields who craved a hearty dish to keep them going. By cooking large amounts of rice in the pan and throwing in whatever ingredients they could get their hands on, their cooking eventually evolved into the paella recipes we know and love to this day, most notably, paella Valenciana.

Paella Valenciana

The paella Valenciana is considered the most traditional and authentic paella dish. Typically, it is made from a mix of round-grain rice, green beans, rabbit, chicken, butter beans, chicken broth, olive oil, and sometimes duck.

In local festivities, it’s common to find paella Valenciana being cooked in one huge pan outdoors, while local people wait in line with their plates to be served. Although this is a Valencian tradition, the rest of Spain has turned it into a national pastime.

The name Paella

The name paella comes from paellera, which is a large round pan with two handles on either side. This is the pan that is used for cooking paella. The naming of the pan comes from the French word for frying pan, paelle, which has its roots in the Latin word of the same meaning, patela.

Connection to the Moors

Rice was brought to Spain during the time of Moorish rule. Without this event, paella would never have come into existence. However, it wasn’t until centuries after the Moorish era that the paella dish was invented.

Key Ingredients and Flavors

First and foremost, when it comes to making paella, you have to use the right kind of rice. It’s not like other recipes where changing the rice variety doesn’t make a huge difference. In paella the right rice is crucial and that happens to be round, short-grain rice. Varieties like Bomba and Calasparra are the most common ones used in Spain for cooking their national dish.

Saffron and Sofrito

One ingredient that must not be forgotten is saffron. It gives paella its golden color, but also, it adds a subtle and fragrant flavor. Then, of course, there’s sofrito, which is the base of the dish. Sofrito is a sautéed mix of onions, tomatoes, and peppers

Traditional or Experimental?

Although the traditional paella is made of the paella Valenciana ingredients, over the years, there have been a lot of variations both inside and outside of Spain. Most notably, seafood paella, which doesn’t include chicken or duck, but instead is packed with shrimp, mussels, clams, and squid.

In recent years, British chef Jamie Oliver caused a lot of controversy by inventing his own variation of the paella dish that included chorizo. This did not go down too well in Spain and resulted in a fair amount of online rage and ridicule from paella purists and proud Spaniards who considered it a sacrilege.

Some variations are, nonetheless, undeniably delicious, such as this black rice with salsa alioli recipe. This dish is less likely to offend paella enthusiasts given that, despite being an innovative recipe, it still consists of typical Spanish ingredients.

A Sauce for Paella

Traditional paella Valenciana is served with no sauce other than the concoction of ingredients that sizzle in the pan to create a flavorful liquid of its own. However, when it comes to seafood paella, we recommend adding a dollop of salsa alioli The Tapas Sauces to the mix for a creamy and garlicky flavor enhancer that pairs beautifully with the rest of the ingredients.

paella recien hecha fiesta

Beyond the Plate: The Cultural Significance of Paella

Paella’s not just about eating; it’s a part of Spanish culture and identity. To this day, many Spanish families typically enjoy paella on Sunday afternoons and during festivals. Paella is about bringing people together to enjoy each other’s company.

The recipe even has its own day of celebration. World Paella Day falls on September 20th and celebrates the rich heritage of Valencia’s culinary gem. Across the globe, you’ll find paella competitions and festivals, all showcasing the creativity and passion that go into making it.

How to Make Meals that Stand Out with Alioli

Here’s how you can bring the sunkissed flavors of Spain straight to your kitchen in a highly satisfying way: get yourself some alioli and use it to make meals that stand out! Now, you might be wondering, what exactly is alioli sauce? Where does it come from, and what foods does it pair well with?

That’s where The Tapas Sauces have got your back. Join us as we delve into the world of one of the most spectacular-tasting sauces the Mediterranean has to offer. Learn all there is to know about it, and how you can use it to bring a delightful kick, full of Spanish flair, straight to the taste buds of everyone around the table.

The History and Origins of Alioli Sauce

Alioli is more than just tasty, it’s interesting. Its name is a fusion of two Catalan words, which mean ‘garlic’ and ‘oil’, which, as you will have guessed, are two of the sauce’s key ingredients. While it’s difficult to pinpoint a single town or city as the place where the sauce originated, what we do know is that it came from Catalonia.

For those who are wondering, where’s that? Catalonia is a region of north-eastern Spain, which by some definitions also includes the neighboring section of the south of France. That’s because the Catalan language, culture, and cuisine also exist there, including the beloved alioli sauce.

What’s in Alioli Sauce?

Alioli was originally made by crushing garlic into olive oil until it turned into a smooth, creamy sauce. These days, it often has additional ingredients, and sometimes includes mayonnaise or egg yolks. Alioli from The Tapas Sauces is made up of its traditional ingredients, garlic and olive oil, and also includes sunflower oil and lemon for a distinct and flavorful kick. Our alioli sauce is unique in that it’s egg-free, offering a safe, delightful option for those with egg allergies. Crafted to perfection, it retains the highest standards of quality and flavor.

cod with alioli sauce and rosemary honey

How to Use Alioli and Make the Most of its Versatility

Great news for foodies! There’s not one way to use alioli sauce, but endless! Read on as we guide you through some of the tried and true pairings involving Catalonia’s creamy delight.

Dipping Sauce

For every handheld snack and appetizer, alioli makes an incredible sauce for dipping. Whether we’re talking about French fries or potato wedges, breadsticks, calamari, or veggies, dip them into a ramekin of alioli and enjoy.

Spread for Sandwiches and Burgers

The rich garlicky flavor of alioli will bring your sandwiches and burgers to another level once it pairs with the cheese, meat, or salad. Prepare a veal hamburger with salsa alioli recipe and wow the taste buds of everyone.

Sauce for Grilled Meats and Seafood

If you’re planning on firing up the grills anytime soon, be sure to have your alioli sauce ready to enhance those flavors. It works a dream with grilled chicken, steak, or prawns and gives such dishes a Mediterranean twist.

Salad Dressing

You can use alioli as part of a salad dressing by thinning it out with some lemon juice or vinegar. Or mix it, as it is, into a bowl of delicious greens in meals such as this mezclum salad with salsa alioli. Imagine tasting the creamy texture and tangy kick of garlic in this meal.

Topping for Potatoes and Vegetables

Whether those vegetables are boiled or roasted, alioli gives them an irresistible flavor enhancer. A quick and easy recipe that still makes an elegant and highly satisfying lunch is this jacket potatoes with salsa alioli and thyme dish.

Extra Flavor for Rice or Pasta

How many times have you mixed mayonnaise into a pasta salad? Well, how about opting for something more original with its own Spanish charm? Whip up a tricolor spiral pasta salad with salsa alioliin no time and see how quickly you’ll want to do it again and again.

What’s more, you can enhance your next chicken and rice dish simply by adding a serving of alioli sauce on the side. When a fork full of delicious grilled chicken and soft fluffy rice swoop up the creaminess of alioli, there’s pure satisfaction in every bite.

Opt for a traditional Spanish recipe that’s easy to make and bursting with flavor by preparing this black rice with salsa alioli dish. That way, you’ll bring the tastes of Catalonia straight to your kitchen.

Alioli sauce is a culinary gem that can liven up any meal. Its rich history, versatile uses, and knack for transforming simple ingredients into gourmet delights make it a must-have in your kitchen. With alioli from The Tapas Sauces, you’re just a drizzle away from creating unforgettable dishes that’ll impress your family and friends. So go on, embrace the flavors of Spain, and let alioli sauce be your secret ingredient for meals that truly stand out.

The Ultimate Guide to Tapas from Spain

You’ve heard of tapas before, but perhaps you’re wondering what the word even means. Sure, tapas is a type of food, right? But what type of food is it, where does it come from, and what kinds of tapas are there? That’s where The Tapas Sauces is here to help and guide you through.

In our ultimate guide to tapas from Spain, we’ll tell you all you need to know about tapas. What’s more, we’ll even share with you some of the best tapas recipes out there and delve into different regions that have their own signature tapas varieties. Let’s take a look at the best of Spain’s culinary deliciousness.

Tapas explained

Tapas are small dishes of various types of Spanish food that were first intended to accompany drinks in bars. They are, in many ways, like a little piece of dinner, but not a full plate. More like half of a plate.

If you’ve ever wondered what kind of food they are, the answers encompass all things Spanish from meat to poultry to fish and rice and beyond. Tapas are not limited to one type of food. They are a little bit of everything. What makes them tapas is that they come on small plates and are usually small servings of typical Spanish ingredients.

Origins of Tapas

The origin of tapas is somewhat of a mystery. Tapas seem to have been around in Spain as far back as anyone can remember, but here are the main theories.

  • When King Alfonso X of Castile (1221–1284) was suffering from an illness, he noticed his health improve after eating small plates of food together with a glass of wine. He then ordered little dishes to be served with wine throughout the rest of his kingdom.
  • Another theory, albeit a far more recent one, is that King Alfonso XIII (1886–1941) was visiting the coastal town of Cadiz on a windy day. He ordered a glass of wine in a tavern which was served to him with a piece of ham over the top to stop sand from blowing into the drink. When he ordered his next glass, he asked for it with the lid, or in Spanish, the tapa.
  • The third theory is more simple and perhaps, more plausible. Little plates of food were served in bars as a way of pleasing customers and stopping drunkenness. During summer, those plates would have a little lid, or tapa, on top to stop flies from getting to the food.

Types of Tapas by Region

It would be impossible to go through all types of tapas that exist in Spain as there are far too many imaginable. However, let’s take a look at some of the most popular and traditional tapas dishes and the regions they come from, starting with the nation’s capital.

Tapas from Madrid

Perhaps the most famous and popular tapas dish from Spain’s capital city is patatas bravas. These are little cubes of fried potato smothered in a delicious salsa brava. Its popularity, however, has spread way beyond Madrid and it can be found in bars and restaurants throughout the country.

Tapas from Andalusia

Although you can find tapas all over Spain, they are believed to have originated in the southern region of Andalusia. If you were to order a drink in an Andalus bar, they might bring you a little tapa of Spanish omelet, one of the most popular dishes in the country.

What the Spanish call albondigas, we call meatballs, which is another popular tapas dish served in the bars of Spain. What makes them different in Spain, however, is the delicious Spanish sauces they’re paired with, setting them apart from meatballs recipes found elsewhere.

Sevilla style fried chicken lollipops are also worthy of a mention and are a great little tapa to snack on with a drink on the table and something entertaining on the television.

Tapas from the Canary Islands

Spain’s Canary Islands are situated just off the North-Western coast of the African continent. Being at such a crossroads of cultures throughout the centuries enabled the Islands to develop its own unique culinary style, largely influenced by mainland Spain, the Indigenous cultures of the Islands, and the foods brought over from South America.

The greatest example of this culinary fusion can be found in their most famous and popular tapas dish, Papas arrugadas with mojo, a unique and flavorful meal that’s easy to fall in love with.

Pintxos

In the Basque Country, a culturally distinct region of Northern Spain, you won’t find tapas, but rather, what they call pintxos. These are similar but have their own style. They’re typically little servings of fish, such as this cod recipe, served on top of small pieces of bread.

Pintxos are not limited to fish, however, and also include meat, vegetables, and other kinds of ingredients. In other regions of Spain, the word pintxo is used to describe something similar to a tapa, but smaller, like a mini tapa.

Montaditos

Similar to the pintxos of the North, montaditos are a type of tapa involving a little piece of bread. More than often, however, they are not simply one-part food and one-part bread, but rather two-part bread, making them effectively little sandwiches.

The word Mantecadito is sometimes used to describe the same thing, as in this Mantecadito of pork loin Sevilla style recipe.

So, are you now ready to make your own tapas? Dive straight in with one of our delicious Spanish recipes.

The Best Sauces For Your 4th of July BBQ 

Got plans for the fourth of July? One thing we all know about this day is that it’s an opportunity to celebrate. What better way to do that than by having a summer barbecue and inviting friends and family around to enjoy it? 

Meaty dishes are what make barbecue meals so satisfying. Just think of sausages, spare ribs, steaks, chicken wings, buffalo ribs, kebabs, and all things meatilicious sizzling on that grill on a hot summer’s day. Everyone’s got a cold, refreshing drink in their hand as they relax, talk, and enjoy one meaty dish after the other. There is, however, something missing. 

The one thing you need to make the party complete is a variety of delicious sauces. Sure, you’ve got some tomato ketchup in the house and maybe a dressing or two in the fridge, but who hasn’t? If you want to make a barbecue that truly stands out, what you need is a sauce or two that will dazzle taste buds with a unique set of flavors. Ready to find out what exactly?

Classic BBQ Sauces

Let’s begin with the classics. Now, these may not be the most original, but when it comes to barbecues, what you really want to impress guests is a mix of the familiar and the unique. So, let’s begin with the familiar ones.

Traditional BBQ Sauce

Everybody loves it, and it’s obvious why. BBQ sauce is simply delicious. It’s a sauce that has withstood the test of time, and something about its sweet and smoky flavor pairs so beautifully with everything hot and meaty coming straight off the grill.

There are three things that pair undeniably well with BBQ sauce: Pork, beef, and chicken. You can, however, use BBQ sauce as a dip for some fries. Just make sure you have enough of this sauce ready for your 4th of July BBQ, as everyone will be expecting it.

If you want to use a BBQ sauce with a distinct tang and delicious twist, try a Smoky Chipotle BBQ Sauce. The Mexican-inspired flavors in this barbecue sauce variety will add a little spice to your dish as well as some Latin flair.

Spanish Sauces

Wait a minute, Spanish sauces at a 4th of July BBQ? Yes, you did read that right. Now we’re going to delve into delicious sauces from the sun-drenched Mediterranean country, which is renowned for its incredible tapas dishes. What sauces can Spain bring to the party?

Salsa Sevillana

Not only is this an incredibly unique sauce to have at a BBQ in the States, but even in Spain, it would be considered original. That’s because it comes from a very distinct part of the country, the city of Seville. So, what does it taste like?

Salsa sevillana is a creamy and garlicky sauce made from lemon, wine, garlic, and potato, among other ingredients. As the people of Seville can attest, this sauce pairs deliciously well with pork dishes. So, spread it over pork chops and all things pork then indulge in its deliciousness. 

For an authentic Spanish dish at your gathering, prepare this Mantecadito of pork loin Sevilla style. In the south of Spain, it’s known as ‘Solomillo al Whisky’, as the salsa sevillana there contains a splash of whisky. Ours doesn’t, but feel free to add your own splash if that floats your boat.

Salsa Chimichurri

This concoction of lemon, honey, chili, garlic, and red bell pepper is usually used on roasted meat, but whichever way the meat is cooked, the tastiness of the sauce remains. One thing to bear in mind is that this sauce is not the thick and creamy kind but rather thin and light, being mainly liquid.

That means, while you may like to drizzle some over your meat, you may also want to consider using it as a marinade. You can also use it as a tangy salad dressing if you’re thinking about preparing some salad for guests at your barbecue. 

If you’re planning on cooking some ribs at your party, make this Pork ribs with salsa chimichurri recipe and see how much your guests love it. Few can say they’ve enjoyed ribs like this before.

Salsa Verde

This delicious green sauce made from parsley and garlic pairs beautifully with chicken dishes. So if you’re preparing some wings, be sure to give them a generous green drizzle of this sauce for a flavor enhancer. 

Often, when it comes to barbecues, we’re so busy thinking about meat that we forget about other delicious and creative options. Take, for instance, this Grilled mushrooms and bacon salsa verde recipe. Sure, it has bacon, but grilled mushrooms are an often overlooked delight, and with salsa verde, they’re even better.


What else can you serve at your gathering? Come and check out our recipes.

Fish brochettes with salsa chimichurri

fish brochettes

Fish brochettes with salsa chimichurri

Are they skewers, brochettes, or kebabs? One thing’s for sure, they’re packed with a fish and fresh vegetable combo, and they’re delicious!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Course Appetizer, Main Course, Side Dish, Snack
Cuisine French
Servings 4 people

Ingredients
  

  • 500 g White FIsh
  • 8 Meat Mussels
  • ½ Red Onion
  • 2 Mushrooms
  • 8 Cherry Tomatoes
  • Salt and Pepper
  • Olive Olive
  • Salsa chimichurri The Tapas Sauces

Instructions
 

  • Cut each mushroom into 4 pieces.
  • Dice the red onion.
  • Slice the white fish into thin small pieces.
  • Place the following ingredients onto a skewer: meat mussels, white fish slices, cherry tomato.
  • Fry in the pan with oil.
  • Sprinkle salt and pepper on top.
  • Turn regularly to ensure even cooking.
  • Remove when ready and plate.
  • Drizzle a generous amount of salsa chimichurri The Tapas Sauces on top and serve.

Video

Notes

Here’s a fish-based dish to enjoy at your next outdoor gathering. Having said that, you may be tempted to prepare it all year around, and there’s no reason not to. When fish is thinly sliced and fried on a skewer alongside other tasty ingredients, the result is a highly satisfying snack that’s also quick and easy to make.
One of the great things about this simple white fish recipe is that it’s ideal for social occasions when friends or family are around the house. Rather than having something large and hearty at the table, people often enjoy handheld snacks on these days because they help the flow of mingling as you can eat them as you wander around.

Is it skewer or brochette? 

Let’s quickly clear up any confusion between these two terms. Simply put, skewer and brochette mean the same thing, only brochette is the French word. If you’re ever been to a French restaurant and seen the term ‘en brochette’, that means ‘on a skewer’. 
In the culinary world, however, words from their country of origin sometimes wriggle their way into the English language. So when chefs and foodies say ‘brochette’, they mean skewer, but the word may change depending on what kind of kitchen they’re used to working in. 

The best fish for skewers

Our choice for this dish a white fish. Not only is it easy to slice and add to the skewer, but also, it also tends to soak up the flavors around it when cooked due to its relative neutrality. There are, however, other types of fish that are ideal for skewers. Tuna, swordfish, and salmon are also popular options with each bringing their own taste and texture to the meal.

Fish kebab – Quick tip to enhance flavor

When pieces of fish are cooked and served on the skewer, this is also sometimes referred to as a fish kebab. To add some extra flavor to the dish, here’s a quick tip for fish kebabs:
Take a bowl and use it to mix the following ingredients: olive oil, lemon juice, onion, paprika, cilantro, turmeric, salt, pepper, chili powder, and garlic. Then, use this mixture as a marinade for your fish before cooking.

Kebab Vs Skewer

All this talk of kebabs, skewers, and brochettes may get a little confusing. We’ve established that brochettes and skewers are the same thing, but what about kebabs? Technically, they are kind of the same thing too with the word being used interchangeably with the other two.
However, by some definitions, there is one slight difference. That being, that kebab sticks are usually iron whereas brochettes or skewers are typically wooden. Does this affect the taste? Not at all. So whatever you decide to call the meal is up to you. 

What to serve with fish brochettes

Let’s take a look at some of the most suitable side dishes to go with your meal.
Fries – All types of kebabs and brochettes pair well with fries, adding some variation to the combo of ingredients. This is also an opportunity to dip something into one of our delicious sauces.
Salad – This is a nutritious option and also ideal if you’re hosting a party or gathering on a hot summer evening. During these times, people find salad dishes cool and refreshing. 
Rice – Having a large plate of rice enabling guests to serve themselves the amount they desire is typical in Middle Eastern cuisine, especially when kebabs are also part of the meal.
Keyword cherry tomatoes, fish, salsa, sauce, vegetables

En papillote salmon with salsa chimichurri

salmon en papillote

En papillote salmon with salsa chimichurri

Indulge in the highly satisfying seafood delights of a salmon and veggie-packed dish, cooked ‘en papillote’ for an irresistible effect.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine French, Mediterranean
Servings 4 people

Ingredients
  

  • 600 g Salmon
  • 100 g Zucchini
  • 100 g Leek
  • Salt and Pepper
  • Virgin Olive Oil
  • Salsa chimichurri The Tapas Sauces

Instructions
 

  • Slice zucchini into thin strips.
  • Place the strips of zucchini onto a sheet a aluminum foil.
  • Add leeks to the zucchini.
  • Put the salmon on top.
  • Sprinkle salt and pepper on top of the ingredients.
  • Drizzle virgin olive oil on top.
  • Fold the foil to wrap the ingredients inside.
  • Bake in the oven for 15 mins.
  • Remove, unfold the foil, and serve on a plate.

Video

Notes

Treat yourself to an elegant, delicious, and exquisitely cooked salmon recipe that boasts the culinary pleasures exerted by the ‘en papillote’ cooking technique. What’s more, this blend of salmon, leeks, zucchini, and virgin olive oil gets its final touch from a delightful drizzle of our much-loved salsa chimichurri.
While ‘en papillote’ cooking techniques are often claimed by both the French and Italians, salsa chimichurri is similarly claimed by Argentinians and Uruguayans alike. What happens when we bring the finest of European cooking to the same dish as the tastiest of South American sauces? This recipe is the answer!

En Papillote Explained

If you’re wondering, what is en papillote? Wonder no longer. ‘En papillote’ is a French term meaning ‘enveloped in paper’. It refers to a cooking technique in which the ingredients are wrapped up in paper then baked in the oven. The type of paper used is typically parchment paper although aluminum foil can also be used, 

So, why cook food ‘en papillote’? 

The reason is that cooking food in this particular style results in a tasty, comforting, and juicy texture. The paper wrapped around the ingredients ensures that as the food heats up, the moisture inside it cannot simply evaporate and dry out the food. Instead, the moisture is retained, resulting in a delicious juiciness. 

Best method for cooking salmon

For this recipe, the best way to cook salmon has to be ‘en papillote’, but that’s not to say there aren’t other ways, offering their own culinary flair. Frying, or as some people call it, pan-searing, is another workable option. For busy eaters, this is the quick and easy way to prepare a salmon dish. What’s more, it results in crispy and slightly crunchy skin, which is the kind of texture that will have many licking their lips.
A general guideline is that smaller pieces of salmon may be better to fry in the pan. If the fish is that little, why not get the cooking done and over with more quickly? If, however, we’re talking about larger pieces of salmon, cooking it in the oven, and allowing it to cook through in the necessary time, is the best way to ensure a perfectly cooked meal.
With vegetables and additional ingredients, go for the ‘en papillote’ technique and allow the flavors of your meal components to cook together in juicy splendor. 

Aluminum foil Vs parchment paper

Which of the two is better for cooking ‘en papillote’, aluminum foil or parchment paper? Most chefs agree that parchment paper is the ideal paper for this kind of cooking. The reason being, sometimes parts of the food can get stuck to aluminum foil. 
With parchment paper, however, this is something you don’t have to worry about. If you can find parchment in one of your local stores, you can use it for your next en papillote recipe. Otherwise, aluminum foil works fine, although you may have to beware of the sticking!
Some foil will come with a non-stick side. If so, make sure this is the side you wrap around the food. If not, ensure the foil is well-oiled with either cooking spray, butter, or olive oil. 
Keyword en papillote, salmon, salsa, sauce