Savory Tuna and Tomato Pockets

Savory Tuna and Tomato Pockets

Embracing the essence of Spanish cuisine, these delectable savory pockets, reminiscent of empanadillas, offer a delightful twist on traditional tuna turnovers. With a perfect balance of flavors and a hint of sweetness from ripe tomatoes, they’re an ideal choice for your next gathering.
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Ingredients

  • Yields approximately 40 bite-sized treats / Prepare in advance: 3 hours
  • 1 batch of Homemade Pocket Dough
  • 2 tablespoons of high-quality olive oil
  • 1 medium-sized onion finely minced (approximately 2/3 cup)
  • 1 clove of garlic finely minced
  • 7 ounces of canned white or light tuna well-drained and flaked
  • 1/4 cup of finely diced fresh tomatoes
  • 5 tablespoons of tomato sauce
  • 1 red bell pepper finely diced
  • 1 tablespoon of freshly chopped flat-leaf parsley
  • A pinch of kosher or sea salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • 1 large hard-boiled egg finely chopped
  • Olive oil for frying

Instructions

  • Begin by preparing the pocket dough.
  • Roll it out to a thin 1/8-inch thickness and use a 3-inch round cutter to create equally sized rounds.
  • Now, let’s craft the flavorful filling: Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a medium skillet over medium heat.
  • Add the minced onion and garlic, sautéing them until the onions become translucent and tender, which should take about 5 minutes.
  • Add the flaked tuna, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, red bell pepper, parsley, and season with salt and pepper.
  • Let the mixture simmer for approximately 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
  • Finally, stir in the finely chopped hard-boiled egg and remove the filling from heat.
  • Allow it to cool.
  • Spoon about 1 tablespoon of the filling into the center of each dough round.
  • Fold the dough over the filling, forming a half-moon shape, and firmly seal the edges with the prongs of a fork.
  • In a medium skillet, heat at least 1 inch of olive oil over medium-high heat, or for best results, use a deep fryer set to 375°F.
  • To check if the oil is ready, throw in a cube of bread; it should quickly brown.
  • Carefully place the filled pockets in the hot oil, turning them once, and fry until they achieve a light golden brown color, which usually takes about 2 minutes.
  • Retrieve them with a slotted spoon and let them drain on paper towels.
  • Serve these delectable savory pockets while they’re still piping hot.

Notes & Wine Advice

Enjoy your homemade Savory Tuna and Tomato Pockets as a delightful Spanish-inspired treat at your next gathering!
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Course; Fish / Tapas
Cuisine; European / Spain

Crab Tartlets

Crab Tartlets

Tartaletas de Cangrejo
These exquisite crab tartlets are a delightful treat that I first encountered at a restaurant in Bilbao. The combination of flavors in this crab mixture quickly made it one of my favorite tartlet fillings.
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Ingredients

MAKES ABOUT 15 TAPAS

  • 5 medium shelled cooked shrimp finely chopped
  • 5 tablespoons shredded lump crab meat
  • 2 tablespoons finely chopped dill or cornichon pickle
  • 4 tablespoons finely chopped hard-boiled egg
  • 2 tablespoons finely chopped jarred piquillo pepper or pimiento
  • 2 tablespoons finely chopped onion such as Vidalia or other sweet onion
  • Mayonnaise mayonesa, to taste
  • About 15 puff pastry tartlet shells homemade or storebought
  • Pimiento or parsley for garnish

Instructions

  • In a medium bowl, combine the finely chopped shrimp, shredded lump crab meat, dill or cornichon pickle, hard-boiled egg, piquillo pepper or pimiento, and chopped onion.
  • Add mayonnaise to the mixture to achieve a smooth, creamy consistency.
  • You can prepare this filling in advance.
  • Fill each tartlet shell with the crab mixture, and garnish with pimiento or parsley.

Notes & Wine Advice

Serve and savor the delicious crab tartlets. Enjoy!
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Course; Fish / Tapas
Cuisine; European / Spain

Shrimp Tartlets

Shrimp Tartlets

Tartaletas de Gambas These shrimp tartlets are a delightful combination of shrimp simmered in a flavorful mixture of onions, garlic, and tomatoes, and then blended with mayonnaise. The resulting flavor is truly exceptional.
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Equipment

  • medium skillet

Ingredients

MAKES 24 TAPAS

Instructions

  • In a medium skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
  • Add the shrimp and cook, turning once, until they turn pink.
  • Transfer the shrimp to a medium bowl.
  • In the remaining oil in the skillet, over medium heat, cook the chopped onion and garlic, stirring, until the onion becomes wilted and transparent (about 5 minutes).
  • Add the finely chopped tomato and continue to cook until it softens and releases its juices, approximately 5 minutes more.
  • Return the cooked shrimp to the skillet, and stir in the water, fish broth, salt, and black pepper.
  • Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for about 30 minutes.
  • Allow the shrimp to cool in the liquid, then drain them.
  • Remove and discard the shells (or save them for making shrimp broth) and finely chop the shrimp.
  • In a medium bowl, combine the chopped shrimp with mayonnaise to taste.
  • You can prepare this mixture in advance, cover it, and store it in the refrigerator.
  • Fill each tartlet shell with the shrimp and mayonnaise mixture.

Notes & Wine Advice

Serve these delightful shrimp tartlets at room temperature. Enjoy!
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Course; Fish / Tapas
Cuisine; European / Spain

Mushroom Tartlets

Mushroom Tartlets

Tartaletas de Champiñón
These delightful mushroom tartlets are best garnished with pieces of pickles and pimientos. It's important not to prepare this tapa more than 1 hour in advance to avoid excess liquid from the mushrooms that can thin the sauce.
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Equipment

  • Small bowl

Ingredients

MAKES 20 TAPAS:

Instructions

  • In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, mashed garlic, chopped parsley, fresh lemon juice, salt, and freshly ground black pepper.
  • Fold in the finely chopped mushrooms and refrigerate the mixture for 1 hour.
  • Fill each tartlet shell with the mushroom mixture, and decorate the tops with pieces of pickles and pimientos.
  • Serve and enjoy your mushroom tartlets!
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Course; Pastry / Vegetables
Cuisine; European / Spain
Diets; Vegetarian

Crunchy Potato Nests Filled with Ham and Tomato

Crunchy Potato Nests Filled with Ham and Tomato

Cestillas Crujientes Rellenas
This impressive and attractive tapa can be prepared with various fillings, in this case, with cockles and ham in a tomato sauce. To create the potato nest, you'll need a special potato nest basket for deep frying. While it's a specialty item, you'll find it handy once you have it.
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Equipment

  • medium skillet

Ingredients

MAKES 8 TAPAS

Potato Nests:

  • 6 cups shredded peeled potatoes
  • Olive oil for frying

Filling:

Instructions

Prepare the Potato Nests:

  • Place the shredded potatoes in a medium bowl and cover them with cold water.
  • Let them soak for 30 minutes, then drain and allow them to dry on paper towels.
  • Preheat the oven to 200°F.
  • Heat enough oil in a large skillet to cover a potato nest basket over medium-high heat.
  • Alternatively, you can use a deep fryer set at 365°F.
  • The oil is ready when a cube of bread turns light brown in 60 seconds.
  • Dip the potato nest basket into the hot oil to coat it, then line it with the shredded potatoes (about 3/4 cup per nest).
  • Secure the potatoes with the smaller nest basket that fits inside.
  • Carefully dip each nest into the hot oil and cook until they become lightly browned.
  • Let them drain on paper towels, then transfer them to a cookie sheet and keep warm in the 250°F oven until ready to use.
  • Repeat this process to make a total of 4 nests.

Prepare the Filling:

  • In a medium skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat.
  • Add the finely chopped onion and cook, stirring, until it becomes wilted and transparent, which should take about 5 minutes.
  • Add the cockles and cook, stirring, transferring each one as it opens to a medium bowl.
  • Discard any unopened cockles.
  • Once all the cockles are removed, stir in the finely chopped tomato, ham, paprika, salt, and black pepper.
  • Pour the brandy evenly over the ham mixture.
  • Be sure to stand well away from the skillet, then ignite the liquid using a match or kitchen lighter.
  • Shake the pan to distribute the flame evenly, and cover it to extinguish.
  • Fill each potato nest with the sauce and top them with about 6 cockles

Notes & Wine Advice

Serve these delicious crunchy potato nests filled with ham and tomato while they are hot. Enjoy!
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Course; Pork / Tapas / Vegetables
Cuisine; European / Spain

Fried Pork and Ham Rolls

Fried Pork and Ham Rolls

Flamenquines The name of this tapa, “little flamencos,” hints at its origin in the city of Seville. I first tasted flamenquines at the renowned Madrid bar Gayango, a sibling of the original bar in Seville, where these were the most popular tapas.
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Ingredients

MAKES 6 TO 8 SERVINGS

  • 1 recipe for Béchamel Sauce
  • 4 thin slices of cooked pork loin cut into 2.5 x 2-inch pieces
  • 4 thin slices of Serrano ham or prosciutto cut into 2.5 x 2-inch pieces
  • 2 large eggs lightly beaten
  • Bread crumbs for dredging
  • 2 garlic cloves mashed using a garlic press or mortar and pestle
  • 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
  • Olive oil for frying

Instructions

  • Prepare the béchamel sauce as instructed in step 2 of the recipe.
  • Take one slice of ham and place it on top of a slice of pork.
  • Roll them up and secure the roll with a toothpick.
  • Dip each roll in the white sauce, ensuring it’s completely coated.
  • Place the coated rolls on a plate and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or until the sauce solidifies.
  • In a shallow bowl, place the beaten eggs.
  • In another shallow bowl, put the bread crumbs and mix in the mashed garlic and chopped parsley.
  • Heat at least 1/2 inch of oil in a medium skillet over medium-high heat.
  • Alternatively, use a deep fryer set at 365°F.
  • The oil is ready when a cube of bread turns light brown in 60 seconds.
  • Dip each roll in the beaten eggs, then dredge it in the bread crumbs, ensuring it’s evenly coated.
  • Place the rolls in the hot oil and cook, turning them once, until they turn golden.
  • Use a slotted spoon to transfer the rolls to paper towels, allowing excess oil to drain.

Notes & Wine Advice

Serve these delicious fried pork and ham rolls while they are hot. Enjoy!
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Course; Pork / Tapas
Cuisine; European / Spain

Codfish Pancakes

Codfish Pancakes

Tortillitas de Bacalao
These tortillitas, or thin pancakes, are a specialty of Andalucía, particularly from the province of Cádiz, where they have mastered the art of frying and have a deep knowledge of herbs and spices.
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Ingredients

MAKES ABOUT 20 TAPAS / Preparation: 26 to 38 hours in advance

  • 1/4 pound of boneless skinless dried salt cod
  • 1 recipe for Garlic Sauce Alioli
  • 1/8 teaspoon of crumbled saffron threads
  • 1 cup of all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon of baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda
  • 3 tablespoons of finely chopped onion
  • 3 garlic cloves mashed in a garlic press or mortar
  • 3 tablespoons of finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
  • 1/8 teaspoon of ground bittersweet paprika such as Spanish smoked
  • Kosher or sea salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • Olive oil for frying

Instructions

  • Place the cod in a medium bowl and cover it with cold water.
  • Cover the bowl and let it sit in the refrigerator for 24 to 36 hours, changing the water occasionally, until the water no longer tastes salty.
  • Drain the cod and flake it.
  • Prepare the sauce: In a large bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, chopped onion, garlic, parsley, paprika, saffron, salt, and pepper.
  • Stir in the cod and mix well.
  • Cover the bowl and let it sit for 2 hours.
  • Heat at least 1/4 inch of oil in a medium skillet over medium-high heat.
  • Ideally, use a deep fryer set at 375°F until it quickly browns a cube of bread.
  • Drop the batter by rounded tablespoons into the oil, spreading it into thin 2.
  • 5-inch pancakes with the back of a spoon that has first been dipped in hot oil.
  • Cook, turning once, until they become golden and crisp on both sides.
  • Use a slotted spatula to transfer them to paper towels, allowing any excess oil to drain.
  • Serve these delightful codfish pancakes while they are hot, accompanied by the garlic sauce on the side.
  • Enjoy!
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Cuisine; European / Spain

Succulent Shrimp Fritters

Succulent Shrimp Fritters

Buñuelos de Camarones
Succulent Shrimp Fritters, a beloved specialty of Cádiz, can be found on the menus of local restaurants and street stands. These fritters are at their best when made with tiny camarones (shrimp).
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Equipment

  • medium skillet

Ingredients

MAKES ABOUT 10 TAPAS

  • 3 tablespoons of olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons of finely chopped onion
  • 2 tablespoons of finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
  • 1/8 teaspoon of ground paprika
  • 3 tablespoons of all-purpose flour
  • 7 tablespoons of water
  • 3/4 teaspoon of salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon of baking powder
  • 1/4 pound of small shrimp peeled and finely chopped
  • Olive oil for frying

Instructions

  • In a medium skillet, heat the 3 tablespoons of olive oil over low heat.
  • Add the chopped onion and parsley, cover, and cook while stirring until the onion becomes tender.
  • Stir in the paprika.
  • In a small bowl, mix the flour, water, salt, and baking powder.
  • Stir in the onion mixture and the chopped shrimp.
  • Wipe out the skillet.
  • Heat at least 1/4 inch of oil in the skillet over medium-high heat, or better yet, use a deep fryer set at 375°F, until a cube of bread browns quickly.
  • Drop the batter by rounded tablespoons into the hot oil, spreading it into thin 2.
  • 5-inch pancakes with the back of a spoon that has been dipped in hot oil.
  • Cook, turning the fritters once, until they become golden and crisp on both sides.
  • Use a slotted spatula to transfer them to paper towels, allowing them to drain.

Notes & Wine Advice

Serve these delectable shrimp fritters while they are hot.
Enjoy your Shrimp Fritters!
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Course; Fish / Tapas
Cuisine; European / Spain

Cheese, Olive, and Caper Phyllo Triangles

Cheese, Olive, and Caper Phyllo Triangles

Triángulos de Queso, Aceituna y Alcaparra en Phyllo
A soft Tetilla cheese from Galicia is the perfect choice for filling phyllo pastry. Its creamy texture complements the capers and black olive paste wonderfully.
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Ingredients

MAKES 16 TAPAS

  • 1 sheet of phyllo dough thawed if frozen
  • 3 tablespoons of Tetilla or Brie cheese rind removed
  • 2 teaspoons of store-bought or homemade Black Olive Paste partial recipe
  • 32 capers nonpareil preferred, rinsed and drained

Instructions

  • Begin by cutting the phyllo dough sheet lengthwise into 4 equal strips.
  • Then, cut each strip crosswise into 4 equal strips, resulting in 16 strips measuring 4.
  • 5 x 3.
  • 5 inches.
  • Place approximately 1 teaspoon of the cheese in a corner of each phyllo strip.
  • Press some of the olive paste and two capers into the cheese.
  • Fold the phyllo strip up like a flag, starting from one corner to the opposite corner, creating a triangle shape.
  • Seal the ends by moistening them with water.
  • Heat at least 1 inch of oil in a medium skillet over medium-high heat, or better still, use a deep fryer set at 375°F, until a cube of bread quickly browns when submerged.
  • Carefully place the prepared phyllo triangles in the hot oil and cook, turning them once, until they turn lightly golden, which should take about 2 minutes.
  • Use a slotted spoon to transfer the triangles to paper towels, allowing them to drain.

Notes & Wine Advice

Serve these delightful phyllo triangles while they are hot.
Enjoy your Cheese, Olive, and Caper Phyllo Triangles!
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Course; Cheese / Tapas
Cuisine; European / Spain
Diets; Vegetarian