Recreating Tapas and Small Plates Dishes at Home: A British Guide

There's something undeniably charming about tapas and small plates. These bite-sized delights are perfect for sharing, making them ideal for casual gatherings and dinner parties. 

Originating from Spain, tapas have become a global sensation, inspiring a variety of small plates from different cuisines. If you're keen on recreating these culinary treasures at home, here's a guide to get you started. Incidentally even Wetherspoon pubs have a range of small plate dishes available as part of their menu.

Setting the Scene

Creating an authentic tapas experience is as much about the atmosphere as it is about the food. Here are some tips to set the mood:

Ambiance: Play some flamenco or Spanish guitar music in the background. If you have a friend who is a guitar player, why not ask them to play for some tapas and small plates?

Décor: Use rustic tableware, such as terracotta bowls and wooden boards. Add a few candles for a cosy, inviting feel.

Drinks: Offer a selection of wines, particularly Spanish varieties like Rioja or Albariño. For a non-alcoholic option, try a refreshing Spanish lemonade or a virgin sangria.

Essential Ingredients

To recreate tapas authentically, it's important to have the right ingredients. Here are some staples:

Olive oil: High-quality extra virgin olive oil is a must.

Garlic: Fresh garlic adds a punch of flavour.

Paprika: Both sweet and smoked paprika are essential.

Seafood: Prawns, calamari, and anchovies are commonly used.

Cured meats: Jamón serrano, chorizo, and other Spanish cured meats.

Cheese: Manchego is a popular choice.

Tapas Recipes to Try

Patatas Bravas

Ingredients:

500g potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks

2 tbsp olive oil

1 tsp sweet paprika

1 tsp smoked paprika

1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)

Salt, to taste

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 can (400g) chopped tomatoes

1 tbsp red wine vinegar

Instructions:

Preheat the oven to 200°C (180°C fan/gas mark 6).

Toss the potatoes in 1 tbsp of olive oil, sweet paprika, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, and salt. Spread on a baking tray and roast for 30-35 minutes, until golden and crispy.

Meanwhile, heat the remaining olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.

Add the chopped tomatoes and red wine vinegar. Simmer for 10-15 minutes until the sauce thickens.

Serve the potatoes with the tomato sauce drizzled over the top.

Gambas al Ajillo (Garlic Prawns)

Ingredients:

200g raw prawns, peeled and deveined

4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced

3 tbsp olive oil

1 tsp dried chilli flakes

Fresh parsley, chopped

Salt and pepper, to taste

Lemon wedges, for serving

Instructions:

Heat the olive oil in a frying pan over medium heat.

Add the garlic and chilli flakes, cooking until the garlic is golden but not burnt.

Add the prawns and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side until pink and cooked through.

Season with salt and pepper, and sprinkle with fresh parsley.

Serve immediately with lemon wedges.

Albondigas (Spanish Meatballs)

Ingredients:

250g minced beef

250g minced pork

1 small onion, finely chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 egg

50g breadcrumbs

2 tbsp milk

Salt and pepper, to taste

1 can (400g) chopped tomatoes

1 tsp smoked paprika

1 bay leaf

Fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions:

In a large bowl, combine the minced beef, minced pork, onion, garlic, egg, breadcrumbs, milk, salt, and pepper. Mix until well combined.

Form the mixture into small meatballs.

Heat some olive oil in a pan over medium heat and brown the meatballs on all sides.

Add the chopped tomatoes, smoked paprika, and bay leaf. Simmer for 20-25 minutes until the meatballs are cooked through and the sauce has thickened.

Sprinkle with fresh parsley before serving.

Bringing It All Together

Arrange your tapas on a large table or kitchen island, allowing guests to help themselves. Provide plenty of small plates and napkins. Encourage everyone to try a bit of everything, fostering a convivial and relaxed dining experience.

Conclusion

Recreating tapas and small plates at home is a delightful way to bring a taste of Spain into your kitchen. With a few key ingredients and some simple recipes, you can enjoy these delicious, shareable dishes with friends and family. Whether you're hosting a party or enjoying a quiet night in, tapas are sure to impress and satisfy. So, gather your ingredients, set the scene, and get ready for a culinary adventure!

Spanish dining proving a hit with Waitrose shoppers

With the warmer, summer weather hitting the UK it seems that living the Mediterranean lifestyle is proving popular, with Waitrose reporting an increase in demand for Spanish dining. 

Spanish tapas is also a top pick during the heatwave, with #SpanishTapas gaining 10.4 million views on TikTok and 57k views in only the last 30 days. On Waitrose.com searches for ‘Spanish tortilla’, ‘patatas bravas’, and ‘manchego’ are up 82%, 20% and 50% respectively. 

Said Jane Whitehead, who is the Waitrose deli buyer: “As soon as the temperatures begin to rise we see many of our customers heading straight to our deli section to create the perfect tapas style dinner, or ‘picky tea’ as some people like to call it. 

"95% of the range on our deli counters are exclusive to us, with flavoured hams and olives proving especially popular at the moment as our customers create tapas boards for their alfresco dining experience.”

Sales of gazpacho have also risen by a staggering 146% in the last week alone as more and more of opt for lighter and more refreshing lunches. Paella is also on many menus with searches on Waitrose.com for their Chicken & Chorizo Paella recipe up by an impressive 89% over the last month, and sales of their paella rice are also up by 16% compared against last year.  

Jamie Matthewson, their head of wine buying, recommends the Loved & Found Treixadura as the perfect paella pairing, with its floral aromas and citrus notes matching perfectly with the rich chorizo flavours.

Why might this be happening? That's Food and Drink can think of two explanations. People wish to recreate their Spanish holiday meals at home. And others are aware that due to the fact that Spain is much warmer than Britain all year round, Spanish cuisine is more suited to being eaten during warmer weather.