My first memory of Spain is from the movie Vicky, Christina, Barcelona. The enigmatic Javier Bardiem takes the sultry Scarlett Johannsan out on a date. The setting is a rustic Spanish village and he is wearing a torn T-shirt along with a shorts and riding a barely there bicycle. The date is a glass of wine and some Tapas and I was hooked to this concept of living life slowly. Since then, I have been in love with the Spanish speed of life. Sleep in the afternoon, have a drink and have some Tapas.
What is Tapas?
A Tapa is a small bite which is usually served with a drink. But the most essential part of Tapas is not just about the flavours and textures, it is more to do with the culture that surrounds it. It is about socializing and sharing that happens alongside it. Going out for Tapas is an activity that pervades through all of Spain. One of the best ways to immerse yourself in a country is to share with the locals and Tapas provides you a perfect opportunity to you to explore Spain in the best way possible.
Tapas can be enjoyed is a plethora of Tapas Bars around Spain. It is usually recommended to stand near the Tapas bar and try out the delicacies as they pass by. I recommend trying out multiple Tapas Bars to try out new flavours in a single night. Some of the pubs also serve some degustation menus, now known as Gastropubs. You can also try out a Tapas Walk which will take you around the best of Spain’s Tapas Bars in one single night. Some of the Tapas that you must try out:
Patatas Bravas and Alioli
If you love the Aloo Chat, you’re definitely going to love this. As a Bengali, having Aloo Bhaja is one of my favourite dishes. The Patata Alioli consists of potato fried up with a garlic and oil combination. But it’s Bravas which impresses me the most. The tangy, spicy sauce has a balance of sour and heat which makes for one a variation of Aloo Chaat that I love so much.
Ham
I am a big fan of the Parma Ham. The complexities of flavours that this Italian cured meat offers is unparalleled. The Spanish answer to that is the Iberian Ham. It can be tried out with bread and some cheese.
Calamari
Seafood and Bengalis go hand in hand. One of my favorite Tapas, the fried breaded Calamari is something that I love a lot. Although the tangy Alioli goes perfectly has a sour, cheesy dip, I like trying mine out with a glass of Rioja.
Chorizo Sausage
If you haven’t tried out the spicy Chorizo sausage, you are definitely missing something out. This cured pork sausage has got a multitude of flavours and is used in a multitude of dishes. Combining it with black pudding made out of rice, it can also be tried out with bread, salt and olive oil.
Gazpacho
This is a soup with a difference. A cold soup with tomatoes and olive oil being the main ingedients.
Huevos Rotos
One of the most expressive of dishes I have tried in recent times. Potatoes and Ham topped off with runny egg yolks. The combination of runny textures with the tastes of potatoes and the cured meat. It can also be combined with baby eels, prawns or other cured pork meats.
When you’re heading to Spain for your holiday, do try out some Tapas with your friends.
