Tapas España: 70 Easy Recipes for Gathering and Sharing

Recipe developer Alioto emphasizes classic Spanish ingredients and the “convivial social experience” of the tapas tradition in her striking debut collection of mix-and-matchable small bites. Easy-nibbling fare includes small bowls of warm olives, crispy pimento garbanzos, pan con tomate, and tortilla Española. Coca, a flatbread, is “Catalonia’s answer to pizza,” while crab-stuffed piquillo peppers originate from Northern Spain. Meatballs with chopped almond paste reflect an Arabic origin, and pork skewers with green mojo sauce draw from Moorish influence. A section on bocadillos, or little sandwiches, includes a baguette with seared ahi tuna and green olive tapenade. The author takes an expansive approach to tapas, including unexpected options like soup, salad, and paella (both classic Valenciana and a springtime variation). Salsas, desserts, and sangrias round things out. Alioto notes that while tapas are “designed to be served in small portions, should you prefer to serve something as a main dish... it’s simply a matter of presentation.” Some further guidance on this would prove useful, especially as recipe yields vary wildly: the recipe for beef picadillo empanadas makes 24, while the recipe for Galician empanadas—a variant stuffed with tuna, olives, and hard-boiled egg—makes only four. Similarly lacking is advice on which recipes might pair best together. Still, the gorgeous photography and vibrant flavor profiles make this giftable guide appealing, especially for party hosts seeking inspiration. (Mar.)