How to Host a Tapas Party
Traditional Spanish tapas may be nothing new in Western Europe, but they are all the rage here in the U.S. Consumers are now more apt to host a tapas party than a more traditional party involving rich foods in a sit-down environment. Best of all, tapas are easy to prepare well before the start of the party.
If you’ve ever wanted to host a tapas party yourself, what’s stopping you? Tapas parties are easy to put on with just a little forethought and planning. Below are some helpful hints that will make for a great party that you and your guests will thoroughly enjoy.
Don’t Be Afraid of Packaged Foods
Of course, you’re going to want to try some new recipes for your tapas party. That is completely understandable and entirely expected. But do not be afraid of packaged foods either. A great addition to any tapas party is a selection of nuts,olives, dips, pates, and hors d’oeuvre items such as smoked salmon and anchovies.
You can buy most of the packaged foods you need online just by visiting Amazon. And because they deliver right to your door, there’s no need for you to drive around town looking for the things you want at gourmet food stores.
Include a Variety of Wines
No tapas party is complete without a good selection of wines. This takes a little bit of planning to match your wine choices with the recipes you intend to prepare. Wines.com is a great place to shop for nearly every kind of wine in any budget range. From fruity dessert wines to the finest champagnes in the market, there are enough choices to complement your food selections perfectly.
In addition to fine wines, you might also include a selection of cocktails. They require a little more work, though, so it’s best to utilize the efforts of someone who knows cocktails if your knowledge is limited.
Try to Strike a Balance
The whole point of the tapas party is to sample different kinds of foods rather than gorging on a main course. Therefore, you will enjoy the greatest success if you make a point of striking a balance with your recipes. For example, include both hot and cold recipes in your spread. Hot foods can be pre-heated just before you’re ready to serve while cold foods are chilling in the refrigerator.
Another balance to strike is one of texture. You will undoubtedly have dips and pates that are silky smooth; why not add a crunchy selection or two? Offsetting textures do wonders for the pallet.
Keep Things Simple
If you are like most people, you will be preparing your recipes beginning at least a few days out. In order to offer the best presentation that doesn’t suffer in terms of quality, keep things simple. Look for recipes you can put together quickly and easily, recipes that will also stand up to a few days’ lead time.
Encourage Your Guests to Graze
Lastly, a tapas party is as much about social interaction as it is trying new recipes. It is all about grazing. Scatter your various selections around your home or apartment to encourage people to mix and mingle. As they move from one recipe to the next, they will stop for conversation along the way. This is an excellent way to encourage your guests to make new friends and catch up with old ones.
You can throw a successful tapas party with a little planning and forethought. Whatever you do, remember to have fun. More important than anything else is for you and your guests to enjoy one another’s company.