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Tapas
By Jeff Becker Photography By Marty Snortum Studios
 SPANISH TAPAS are a fine example of our creative ability to make “lemonade” when life gives us lemons. While tapas are served around the world today, their origins are a bit more humble. In Old World Spain, there were a lot of flies (moscas), especially in bars. Tapas, which means cover or lid, came about for this very reason. In order to protect a patron’s wine from these pests bathing in their beverages, a small dish was placed over the lip of the glass. In time, proprietors offered customers a few treats on these protective plates, like a few olives or piece of thin sliced Jamon Serrano.
Now, these small dishes have grown in popularity - well beyond the Spanish bars where they originated, and one can find tapas in most of the modernized world. The term has come to define any small portion served as a snack or appetizer. A typical day in Spain runs long into the night, with many a scheduled break for the consumption of food, wine and a dose of local culture.
These tapas will allow you to recreate the diverse style of food the term has come to embody. Each of these tapas are easy to prepare at home, with ingredients found at Greenery Market. The fresh figs (which are not available in Fall) are stuffed with Gorgonzola Picante, wrapped in a Proscuitto de Parma and baked in order to enhance their wonderful flavors. The grilled shrimp are stuffed with an Artichoke-Lemon Pesto by Bella Cucina and wrapped in grilled red pepper. The smoked salmon is served in a pastry cup with Bella Cucina Onion and Golden Raisin Tapenade. While they may seem complicated, these dishes can be put together, quickly and effortlessly, for a delicious snack or appetizer. Remember, next time the mosca is headed for your wine glass - you know what to do!
Quick preparation and make perfect appetizers or hors d’oeuvres for your holiday party. To assemble your tapas at home be creative. Tapas can be as simple or as complicated as you want them to be. A few olives and cubes of cheese would accompany these favorites well. To find the quality products to make these dishes, visit your local gourmet grocery. If you can’t find these products, remember tapas came from improvisation.
STUFFED FIGS
Serves 4 (2 tapas each)
8 fresh figs
3/4 cup Gorgonzola picante
Sliced Proscuitto de Parma
Carefully slice open figs and spoon in chunks of Gorgonzola. Wrap with slice of Proscuitto andsecure with a toothpick.
GRILLED STUFFED SHRIMP
Serves 4 (2 tapas each)
8 jumbo shrimp, grilled or boiled then
butterflied
8 oz jar roasted red peppers
1 jar of Bella Cucina Artichoke
Pesto or make your own with
the recipe below
Place about 1 tablespoon of the artichoke pesto inside the center of the shrimp and close (it won’t close all the way). Wrap in a roasted red pepper and secure with a toothpick.
ARTICHOKE PESTO
1 jar of artichoke hearts (6 oz)
3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1/4 cup shredded parmesan reggiano
1 clove minced garlic
1/4 cup chopped Italian parsley
lemon juice and salt to taste
Pulse ingredients in a food processor until blended but still chunky.
INFO
Products featured are from
Greenery Market, in the Sunland Park
Mall, El Paso, TX 915-584-4557
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