Chef José Andrés has said, “tapas are at the same time a simple way of eating and an entire way of life … they are a commitment to being together, sharing dishes, sharing an experience.” At SCHAFFER, we love tapas for just that sentiment – they are a symbol of hospitality and the opportunity to share and enjoy good food together.
Whether on a rooftop in Madrid, a backyard in Brooklyn, or poolside in Los Angeles gathering with friends to converse and eat is a testament to living one’s best life. For gatherings where you still want to be a guest at your party and not get lost in the kitchen, we suggest incorporating tapas as the star of the show.
Tapas evolved throughout Spain making their way across international waters and can be found today in many restaurants and bars and at parties thrown at home. As celebrants of all things food and lovers of travel, we, of course, have found tons of inspiration from the times we’ve spent in Spain. There, we discovered the magic of tapas eating our way through a mixture of classic dishes, international-inspired eats and culinary innovation.
Should you wish to mix this style into your next dinner party, we believe it's best to choose tapas that can be prepared in advance and served at room temperature so you can optimize the time to mix and mingle with your guests.
Some of our favorite options include:
- Tortilla Española (Spanish omelet): A classic Spanish omelet made of egg, potato, and onion cooked in olive oil. This dish can be made ahead of time and served sliced at room temperature.
- Marinated Olives and Cheese Platters: This is a traditional Mediterranean/Antipasto dish that requires simple assembly and limited ingredients. Of course, you can always jazz it up and put your own touch with the variety of olives and cheeses you choose as well as decor items such as cheese picks or an interesting platter perhaps curated from your own travels.
- Gazpacho Shooters: Make this cold soup in advance and serve it in shot glasses with garnish for guests. These shooters make an elegant, cool addition to any summer menu.
- Stuffed Mushrooms: An irresistible and easy treat idea is to top mushroom caps with your choice of filling such as bread crumbs, garlic, herbs and cheese.
- Patatas Bravas: You can never go wrong with the comfort of a crispy potato. Patatas bravas take fried potatoes to another level. Roast your potatoes ahead of time and serve at your party with spicy tomato sauce.
- Albondigas (Spanish Meatballs): These delights simmered in a seasoned tomato sauce, creating something guests can mop up with fresh, crusty bread, drizzled amply with great extra virgin olive oil.
- Pan Con Tomate (Spanish Bruschetta): Everyone raves for this simple, yet delicious appetizer, packed with fresh ingredients with an unexpected zip. It’s also so easy to make. Just prepare the tomato topping in advance and assemble it just before serving on toasted bread.
- Chorizo Al Vino Tinto (Chorizo In Red Wine): This classic Spanish tapas dish requires a slow-cook of chorizo slices in red wine, which gives them an undeniable extra boost of flavor. This dish is best prepared ahead of time and reheated right before guests arrive. Also, we suggest using a Spanish red rioja for the marinade and fresh or semi-cured chorizo intended for cooking - and spice level is the chef's choice!
Not that we think you need to incorporate every item above, we do recommend considering a variety of textures, flavors and time commitments when putting together your menu. We also recommend mixing cold and warm meat and vegetables that can be prepared ahead or last minute. To spend more time with your guests and less time in the kitchen, the key to a successful tapas party is to balance between the dishes being served, guest enjoyment, and most importantly, your ability to make hosting look effortless. Of course, libations can help with all of those goals, so don’t forget the rioja, cava, sherry and sangria.
