This is neat!!!

[michelern]

this August issue arrived just in time to help me plan a party....We plan on concentrating on Spanish food and Spanish wines. How helpful that this issue of Cooking Light involes "cooking Spanish" and discusses Spanish wines!! :p

[SusanT]

I have some great tapas recipes from a Spanish cooking class I took last year - sherried shrimp, grilled vegetables and a great black bean tapas. If you'd like, I can post them.

[SusieO]

SusanT,
I would love to see your black bean tapas recipe. Thanks!

[Little Bit]

Sherried Shrimp? Mmmmm ... . Sounds like a taste I need to acquire! :D

Could you post that one too?

Thanks!!

[Saralee]

Hey Susan,

This is a silly question, but what is a tapa(s)? They sound very exotic! TIA

Food terminology challenged,

Sara

[tracey67]

Ooh, I think I can answer that question! The spanish word "tapas" means roughly "to top". It comes from an old tradition in Spain where bartenders would "top" a glass of liquor with a small plate of food. Thus, Tapas, generally refers to any type of appetizer (and, it generally assumed that the food is Spanish in origin).

I'm really excited about this article because I'm also planning to have a Spanish themed party. I've been collecting Sangria recipes and can't wait to whip up a couple of different pitchers.

tracey

[Saralee]

Thanks Tracy! Let us know how they turn out, they sound wonderful!

[michelern]

Susan, would definitely love to see your recipes. I need all of the ideas I can get. Thanks in advance!!!

[brendat4]

My MIL is Spanish. I will ask her for her Sangria recipe and post it here if you like. I've watched her make it a dozen times, but can't remember exactly what goes into it. I know she always says to buy the cheapest red wine you can find though. It's like her "specialty" drink that is requested at many family gatherings.

Brenda :-)