I can hear you asking, "What is a TAPA??" It is a delectable small bite of food--not unlike American APPETIZERS. Apparently, the tradition of tapas began in the south of Spain in the late 1800s or early 1900s. Tavern owners would place a slice of bread over the top of the glass of wine or sherry, protecting it from airborne objects. Some tavern owners began adding tidbits of ham, cheese or the like to the bread, hoping to attract more business. The "edible lid" (tapa) became a tradition, and it was always included in the price of the drink.
In Spain today, putting a lid on a drink is no longer necessary, but enjoying a variety of smaller sized portions developed into a serious way of life. Today's tapas are essentially appetizer-sized portions of any type of food that can be easily shared. They can be snacks or combined to become entire meals. Tapas are ideal for filling that little hunger gap at any hour! From something as simple as a dish of olives to a more complicated dish like shrimp sautéed in garlic, olive oil and white wine; traditional Spanish tapas are sure to please everyone.
