Tapas ideas

Tapas...a word which in Spain refers to small servings of food of different kinds,easy to pick up and eat,usually the more snacky kind ! The word Tapa originally meant 'to cover',people covered their glasses of sweet sherry with a slice of bread to ward off flies...this got the owners of the bars to add toppings on the bread,usually a salty piece of salami,which in turn will increase thirst,thereby leading to more sales of alcohol ! Smart :))...now of course Tapas bars are very popular in Spain,it encourages a kind of social eating where people feel free to stand around a table of small appetisers and gives one the liberty to converse easily...it's not uncommon to go Tapas bar hopping in Spain,the variety of Tapas on offer is immense !
Thanks to a friend who recently hosted an "Asian Tapas" party at home and asked me for suggestions for Asian inspired Tapas desserts...I was quite inspired and would like to share my ideas with you.Tapas can be as light or as wholesome as you choose,cold or hot,a dish can even be as simple as olives and cheese.

My suggestions for an Asian Tapas dessert selection was;
Green tea sorbet with toasted almonds
Sweet saffron vermicelli,served in shot glasses with slivered and toasted almonds
Rose water and pistachio mini cupcakes with a cream cheese frosting
Mango fool served in tiny cups with a crumbled cookie topping
Almond/Cardamom/Saffron flavoured Naan Katai- butter cookies
I would also like to add to that;
Lime pudding with toasted coconut shavings
Poached pears in red wine and cinammon
Honey and seasame brittle
Black sesame and jaggery balls (how exotic does our ellu urandai sound ? ;)) )

For Savoury Tapas- Asian inspired

Broccoli and cashew nut stir fry

Rice paper rolls with veggies and herbs with a sweet chili dipping sauce

Cheese/meat samosas

Discs of bread with prawn and mango chutney

Roasted cherry tomatoes with garlic on crackers

Jalapeno poppers served in tiny glasses with a green gooseberry relish

Tempura vegetables with a dipping sauce

Crispy chili chicken/fish nuggets

Veg or non veg koftas

I'm sure those of you who have never tried it,now get the general idea...it involves a fair amount of planning but it'll all be totally worth your while in the end !

All these dishes except for the last minute frying (if any) can be pre prepared which also leaves the host stress free,to enjoy the party and actually be able to eat something.It's fun and informal at the same time ,very special,some good music, a few cocktails alcoholic or not,lively conversation and an awesome evening guaranteed,whether it's for 5 people or 50!!!!...I'm sure your brain will be buzzing with ideas too...A tapas party is for all adult age groups and planning it,cooking it and deciding how to serve it adds to the fun quotient...do I have all of you thinking of planning a Tapas party soon ??!!! ;))

Nithya's Asian Tapas dinner

 

This is a photo of the dinner hosted by my friend...I hope this picture inspires you even more...li'l bigger than bite sized portions of delicious morsels ! Yummy !!!