It’s almost May, with two bank holiday weekends to savour. Hopefully we will have some of the first really warm days of the year, and enjoy a few afternoons chilling out in the garden or the park. It’s the start of the barbeque season, and households up and down the country will be dusting off the grill and sprucing up the garden furniture ready for some spring feasts.
If you are looking for a tempting alternative to the same old barbeque food this season, you could consider hosting a spring tapas party. It’s the perfect way to share food, so it’s ideal for a gathering of a few friends, or a larger party with live music. Here are some tips for hosting and preparing food that you can make yourself or order from a Spanish restaurant.
Create the right ambience
Before starting on the food, set the scene. Hopefully the weather will allow for some al fresco socialising, but the party can work just as well indoors. Add some fresh flower garlands to the tables or around the venue for some vibrant splashes of spring colour with tulips, hyacinths or other spring blooms.
Use colourful Mediterranean ceramics with authentic Spanish touches and brightly coloured napkins and tablecloths. If you are having an evening gathering, put some ambient lighting in place, such as candles and strings of festoon lights around fences, window frames, or trees and shrubs.
Music is also a key ingredient to set the mood. Opt for a mix of traditional Spanish guitar music and flamenco, and if you have a younger crowd add some contemporary Spanish pop and indie bands into the mix.
The menu
Spanish tapas is designed for sharing and this allows for plenty of variety of smaller dishes; ideal for social gatherings. If you don’t have time to prepare the food yourself, you can always order it from your local tapas bar. Here are some suggestions.
Espárragos Trigueros (Grilled Asparagus)
Freshly grilled asparagus are a perfect seasonal dish. Prepare with coarse sea salt and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice. Serve with some manchego cheese shavings and toasted almonds.
Gambas al Ajillo (Garlic Prawns)
Delicious and easy to make, garlic prawns are sautéed in a little olive oil and infused with fresh garlic and chilli. Add a squeeze of lemon juice and paprika and parsley, and serve with fresh crusty bread or a side salad.
Ensaladilla Rusa (Spanish Potato Salad)
This is a popular spring tapas dish and it’s easy to make. The key ingredients are salad potatoes, peas, carrots and mayonnaise. You can customise it with the addition of tuna, cherry tomatoes, roasted peppers, chorizo, olives, and the herbs and seasonings of your choice.
Cheese and meat selection
Spain is celebrated for its cheese and charcuterie, so prepare a selection of cooked meats such as chorizo and jamón ibérico to eat with manchego or tetilla and some fresh crusty rolls.
Drinks
Finally, no tapas party in spring would be complete without some rosé and a bowl of sangria to dip into!