Spain's win in the World Cup yesterday inspired me to plan a weekend get-together with some Spanish flair. I love almost everything to do with Spanish cuisine and love tapas (little dishes) for almost every party theme. You can do a variety of hot and cold tapas and just graze all night, in fact!
SUMMER SANGRIA
You need to do this early in the day or even the day before you want to serve. This is a white wine sangria and there's no real need to measure. Chop up summer fruits: slice lemon, lime, apple, pear, cherries, strawberries, oranges; use whatever you have. Put these in the bottom of a large container. Add 2 tablespoons sugar over the fruit so they start to release their juices. Add 1/4 cup brandy and a bottle of dry white wine. Squeeze in the juice of one orange and one lemon. Allow to sit for at least 2 hours but longer is better. When you are ready to serve, transfer into a pretty pitcher or dispenser filled with ice and pour 1/2 bottle of club soda over the top for a refreshing fizz. I always keep some of the fruit on reserve and fill glasses with it for garnish. So pretty!
Or try this last minuteSangria recipe from MyRecipes.com.... it's really good and very fast!
COLD TAPAS SUGGESTIONS
Head over to your local Whole Foods or other quality market and look for Spanish olives, Manchego cheese, and Serano ham or chorizo.... these will be the perfect starters for this casual party theme. Put these out on a cutting board or serving platter with a fresh baguette. Try these ideas-- no real recipe necessary for most of them; they are very simple. But let me know if you need a specific recipe.
Aceitunas Alinadas: Marinated Spanish Olives
Salmón Curado: Cured salmon with dill sour cream on toast points (just add fresh dill to sour cream)
Berenjena Con Queso: Chilled grilled eggplant and goat cheese
Patatas con Alioi: Garlic potato salad (add roast garlic to mayo before mixing)
Tortilla Espanola: Spanish omelette of potato and onion (really good recipe from MyRecipes.com)
Bacon Wrapped DatesHOT TAPAS SUGGESTIONS
Gambas Al Ajillo: Grilled shrimp with garlic lemon butter (make a garlic butter and drizzle over)
Champiñones: Stuffed Mushroom Caps (use your favorite recipe or this one for Sausage & Gorgonzola)
Queso De Cabra: Oven Baked Goat Cheese (serve with garlic bread)
Datiles Con Tocino: Roasted Bacon Wrapped Dates (my favorite!!)
Seafood and Chicken PaellaHere are a few of my favorite Paella recipes... if you want to serve a main dish. Personally, I love an evening of grazing with several substantial tapas dishes but men usually love a hearty main dish. Try one of these:
Seafood and Chicken Paella This one gets 5 stars on MyRecipes.com from viewers! It's great.
Kathy G.'s Spanish PaellaMy friend Kathy's paella is wonderful!
Tyler Florence's Paella recipe is also very good.... if you like his recipes, try it instead.
Hope you enjoy a night celebrating Spain! It's the perfect excuse to throw a party.
Monday, October 4, 2010 at 1:39PM 
Photos by Arden Photography Is your life as crazy as mine? Lately, life seems like a non-stop whirlwind, doesn't it? Why not chill out with some friends this weekend and get some well deserved R&R with your girls? Get your favorite chic flicks... or for Halloween, why not some all-time favorite scary classics? (I won't be coming to that party- I HAATEE scary movies...) 
Try my Mocha Margarita. It is tequila to a new level of chocolate-y awesomeness! Check out the my video and the slideshow with how-to instructions on MyRecipes.com!
