Foodways Spanish Tapas Meeting
First, I’d like to introduce Foodways, a group that meets once a month to focus on a specific region’s cuisine and traditions in regard to that cuisine. Membership costs $17.00/year and there is usually an extra fee for each meeting. They can be contacted via their website http://www.main.org/foodways/. I attended my first meeting this past Sunday, October 19, 2003.
While at Trish Bales’ home last Sunday we were treated to a presentation and tasty array of Spanish style tapas. Tapas are small, usually salty treats served in throughout Spain at Tapa Bars. This is a very social way to eat and try many different items in one sitting. Authentic tapa bars do not have a set menu, just a display of that day’s fare.
Our buffet consisted of Manchego with quince paste, a very traditional sharp cheese contrasted with a sweet-tart fruit paste. My favorite item from our meeting was Papas Bravas, which are roasted or fried potatoes coated with a spicy tomato sauce topped with aioli. A potato and egg “tortilla” which is similar to an Italian frittata except that it is finished on the stove instead of in the oven was served warm, where typically it would be room temperature or served in a sandwich at the tapa bar. There was also a typical mélange of olives, jamon Serrano, chorizo, sobrasada, seasoned almonds and rustic breads with garlic and tomato toppings. All in all it was a delicious sampling of traditional Spanish food items garnered from places like Phoenicia bakery, Central Market, Whole Foods and Grapevine Market along with some of their own recipes from their travels in Spain.
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