Description
Enjoy a vibrant selection of five easy Spanish tapas recipes perfect for sharing. This collection includes garlic prawns, sautéed mushrooms, sliced chorizo, marinated olives, and classic accompaniments like jamon, Manchego cheese, and Spanish omelette. Ideal for casual gatherings or a lively dinner, these small plates deliver authentic flavors with simple preparation using stovetop cooking.
Ingredients
Scale
Garlic Prawns
- 1/4 cup (65 ml) olive oil
- 4 garlic cloves – 3 smashed, 1 minced
- 250 g (8 oz) raw prawns, peeled
- Pinch of red pepper flakes
- Finely chopped parsley
- Optional: lemon wedges for serving
Sautéed Mushrooms
- 1/4 cup (65 ml) olive oil
- 4 garlic cloves – 3 smashed, 1 minced
- 300 g (10 oz) Swiss brown or other small mushrooms
- Finely chopped parsley
Sliced Chorizo
- 2 chorizos (~250 g / 8 oz), sliced
- 1/2 tsp olive oil
Marinated Olives
- 250 g (8 oz) plump black and green olives
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
- 2 tsp lemon or orange zest
- 1/3 cup (85 ml) olive oil
- 1 tsp fresh rosemary leaves (or 1/2 tsp dried oregano or 1 tsp fresh thyme)
Accompaniments & Extras
- Jamon cured ham
- Manchego Spanish cheese
- White anchovies
- Spanish omelette (recipe linked separately)
- Bread
- Olive oil (for drizzling)
- Lemon wedges
- La Mesa Y Los Amigos Tempranillo Spanish wine (recommended pairing)
Instructions
- Prepare Garlic Prawns: Heat 1/4 cup olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add 3 smashed garlic cloves and a pinch of red pepper flakes, sauté until fragrant. Add peeled prawns and cook until they turn pink and are cooked through, about 3-4 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and chopped parsley, cook for another minute. Remove from heat, squeezing lemon juice if desired.
- Sauté Mushrooms: In another pan, heat 1/4 cup olive oil over medium heat. Add 3 smashed garlic cloves and cook until aromatic. Add mushrooms and sauté until golden and tender, about 8-10 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and parsley at the end, then remove from heat.
- Cook Chorizo: Heat 1/2 tsp olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add sliced chorizo and fry until slightly crisp and browned, about 5-7 minutes. Remove and drain on paper towels.
- Prepare Marinated Olives: In a bowl, combine black and green olives, minced garlic, red pepper flakes, lemon or orange zest, olive oil, and fresh rosemary leaves. Mix well and let marinate for at least 30 minutes before serving to develop flavors.
- Arrange Accompaniments: On a serving platter, place jamon cured ham slices, Manchego cheese wedges, white anchovies, and Spanish omelette pieces. Add toasted bread slices, olive oil for drizzling, and lemon wedges for garnish.
- Serve and Enjoy: Present all tapas dishes together with a glass of La Mesa Y Los Amigos Tempranillo Spanish wine. Encourage guests to mix and match flavors for a true Spanish tapas experience.
Notes
- Use fresh, high-quality ingredients for best flavor.
- Prawns should be peeled and deveined for ease of eating.
- Marinate olives in advance to allow flavors to deepen.
- Control the heat when sautéing to prevent garlic from burning.
- Spanish omelette recipe is a separate dish but pairs perfectly with these tapas.
- Tapas are meant to be shared and enjoyed communally, so serve with small plates and plenty of bread.
