Favorite New Year's EveTapas

Before I get to the tapas recipes, I just wanted to suggest that if you see mini candy canes on clearance, grab a box. I'm going to be using these in an upcoming valentine dessert in the near future. It's the hook of the candy cane that is important in the dessert...crushed candy canes won't work. I just grabbed a box at Walgreens for .25 cents.


Now onto my favorite tapas recipes....

When my husband and I actually have a date night (which doesn't happen nearly enough and should be TOP on my list of New Year's resolutions), our favorite restaurant is a tapas restaurant (thanks for the gift certificate Aunt Jean and Aunt Marion). Over the years, I've adapted some of our favorite tapas to enjoy at home.

Baked Goat Cheese in Tomato Sauce

4 oz Goat Cheese
8 slices of garlic toast
1 cup tomato sauce

1. Make a patty of goat cheese
2. Place tomato sauce into a small skillet or baking dish and place goat cheese patty on top.
3. Place in over for 7-10 minutes at 400 degrees until it reaches a light boil and is heated through.
4. Place hot skillet or baking dish on plate and line with garlic toast

Chicken and Chorizo Skewers

3 lb chicken breast (cut into 1 inch cubes)
2 lb chorizo (we use Eckrich smoked sausage in place of chorizo)
1 1/2 cup Cumin Mayonnaise for dipping

1. Alternate 3 pieces of chicken and 3 pieces of sausage on 4 inch wooden skewers
2. Broil or grill 10 minutes per side until done
3. Serve with cumin mayonnaise

Cumin Mayonnaise
*This recipe is used with the chicken skewers and the potato empandas.

1 cup mayonnaise
1/2 tsp fresh garlic
1 1/2 tsp ground cumin
1/4 tsp fresh lemon juice
1 tsp dijon mustard

1. Puree garlic
2. Juice lemon
3. Combine all ingredients and mix well.

Spanish Tortellini

5 lbs tri color tortellini (cooked according to package)
1 red pepper roasted or julienne (I use the roasted red pepper already prepared and in a jar)
3 Tbsp fresh garlic peeled and minced
1 cup red onions (julienne)
1 1/2 cup diced celery
1/2 Tbsp thyme leaf
1/4 Tbsp oregano leaf
1/4 cup olive oil
1 1/2 cup Asiago cheese
1/2 white balsamic vinegar

1. Roast and julienne peppers (or use already prepared)
2. Julienne red onion, dice celery and mince garlic
3. Cook tortellini according to directions
4. Combine all ingredients except asiago cheese and mix well
5. Serve in small bowl and top with asiago cheese

Potato and Onion Filled Empandas

16 oz mashed potatoes (garlic and onion mixed in the mashed potato is delightful if your stomach can handle it and the kids don't complain about the taste)
16 pie dough circles (I use prepared pie dough and use a drinking glass to make my circles)
Cumin Mayonnaise
Salsa

1. Lay out pie dough circle on tabe and place 2 Tbsp of potato mixture in the center.
2. Fold over and crimp edges.
3. Bake for three minutes at 350 degrees to seal dough.
4. Deep fry empandas until golden and hot (I've stopped frying and bake them for 10 minutes to cut down on the fat)
5. Serve with cumin mayonnaise and salsa.

Happy cooking!
Happy almost 2011!