Host a Tapas Party

Start with miniature, smoky-sweet piquillo peppers -- typically found in the jarred or canned section of the grocery store.

Perfect for parties, these hand pies keep mess to a minimum with savory cheese and veggies baked inside.

Even in small portions, this red wine-braised chorizo is hearty enough for big appetites.

Saffron threads give this sauce a beautiful bright-yellow color.

This tortilla bears no resemblance to the wrapper on a burrito. Tortilla Espanola is an egg-and-potato dish, similar to a frittata.

Thyme adds an unexpected note to these crunchy fried almonds.

Nutty cheese and salty ham make for an addictive fried popper.

A creamy cheese filling pairs nicely with the smoky flavor of these tiny peppers.

A popular tapas offering, this flavorful dish is a snap to prepare. (Just consider giving guests a place to put the tails.)

Briny green olives get reinvented when coated in breadcrumbs and fried until nice and crispy.

Sage and thyme give these pastries a sausage-like flavor; optional golden raisin or pine nuts add extra textural elements.

Take tapas to the grill with skewered chorizo interspersed with peppers.

Guests will love this dip served with crusty bread slices, but don’t despair if there are leftovers -- it’s great on eggs or sandwiches the next day.

Chorizo, crusty bread, and cheese. Super simple, but totally tasty.

Paprika and cumin give these meatballs their Spanish flavor. They can be cooked for five hours, plenty of time to prep other tapas.

A bright salad that can be assembled quickly and pairs well with flatbreads.

Fresh parsley sprinkled on top adds color and flavor to skillet-cooked shrimp.

Crisp bread slices transport gooey cheese-stuffed peppers straight to the plate.

This mixture of salt cod and olive oil has origins in France, Italy, and Spain. Plan ahead, though, because the fish must soak for three days.

Make this Spanish sauce once and freeze portions for later use, such as this shellfish dish.

This gazpacho can be served the traditional way, or sipped from tiny cucumber cups.

Sophisticated crackers made with cheese from the La Mancha region of Spain.

Save time by using jarred roasted peppers to make this colorful salad.

Similar in size to olives, caper berries add a lemony, piquant note to this mix.

Sliding these peppers under the broiler amplifies their rich, smoky flavor.

Flecks of orange atop vibrant red beets make for a pretty presentation.