Basic Ingredients for Tapas
It is famously said for tapas that eat when you drink and drink when
you eat. However, recipes for tapas vary from region to region.
Olives, dry nuts, cold nuts, etc. are customary ingredients used in
different recipes of tapas. Customized versions of tapas recipes include
eggs, fish, meat, vegetables etc.
Basic Tapas recipes include the following ingredients:
Chorizo - is a pork and paprika sausage. For this ingredient,
there are two types - the one you need to cook and the one you can eat
raw. They come in two flavors: sweet or hot, according to the type of
paprika utilized in the sausage. If doubtful, it is best to clarify the
flavor from the super market where you would purchase it.
Looms - is pork tenderloin that can be easily purchased from
the supermarket
Manchego - is a well known Spanish cheese made from goat’s
milk, and not different from parmesan in taste, although it's much
softer. This cheese is lighty flavored and goes very well with
membrillo.
Membrillo – This is a paste which looks and feels like jelly.
It is sold in slabs or jars, and made from quinces which is a fruit
related to the apple and pear family. It has a delicate tart flavor
which compliments cheeses such as Manchego.
Olives – are very frequently used in tapas recipes . They come
in all shapes and sizes. and the color tells you how ripe an olive is.
The olive is of great agricultural importance in the Mediterranean
region as the chief source of olive oil. Spain is the largest producer
of olives in the world.
Olive Oil is a fruit oil extracted from the olive Spain is the
world's largest producer of olive oil Olive oil is the main cooking oil
in countries surrounding the Mediterranean Sea. The olive oil obtained
is mostly used for salad dressings. The flavor generated from olive oil
is very strong. It is also used for sauteing ingredients.
Paprika is a spice made from the grinding of dried fruits of
bell peppers or chili peppers. In many European countries, the word
paprika is synonymous with bell pepper. This amazing seasoning is used
in many of the cuisines around the world to add color and flavor to
dishes. Paprika can range from mild to spicy hot. Flavors also differ
from country to country.
The Piquillo Pepper is a type of chili mainly grown in
Northern Spain . Piquillo Peppers are sweet and very expensive .They are
usually sold in tins or jars. They are roasted over hot coals, which
give them a distinct sweet, spicy flavour.
Almonds (almendras): While the almond is often eaten on its
own, raw or toasted, it is also a component of various dishes and can be
used in a variety of ways in making tapas.
Herbs: Green parsley is often used to decorate food . The
exotic flavor of the green parsley goes exceptionally well with potato
dishes, with rice items , with fish dishes, fried chicken, lamb or
goose, steaks, meat or vegetable stews Parsley is commonly used in
tapas. Other herbs such as coriander and mint can also be used. |
