Spend less time in the kitchen and more time with your guest by hosting a Spanish tapas night, with quick recipes like this Chorizo in Red Wine recipe.
Tapas are a small portioned appetizers typically served in Spanish bars. There is a huge variety of tapas and many local specialties. When I was in Madrid (way too long ago) I did like the locals and enjoyed a full diner by traveling from bar to bar and trying various tapas with a little glass of wine. A really fun night! And in many cities around the world, Spanish restaurants flourish with this concept. The tapas meal is perfect to socialize and encourage conversation when with friends and family. Having a tapas night at home can be lots of fun too. One great tapas recipe to try is the one in today’s post, Chorizo in Red Wine.
I won’t go too deep into the history of tapas because I think most people are familiar with them. Now as to the origin of the word tapas, that is worth an investigation, I came up with 2 versions I favor. In both version everyone agrees that the word “tapas” is derived from the Spanish verb tapar, which means to cover. One story says the concept originates from bar owners covering the top off a wine glass with cold meat slices so dust and dirt would not get into the wine. People started to eat the meat too!
But I kind of prefer this other story: travelling in older days in Europe was a slow and exhausting prospect due to the bad roads, some old Roman roads and others trails dating from the Middle Ages. And most people did not know how to read or write. So your are tired, have no energy, and cannot read the menu of the Spanish inn you booked for the night. Smart innkeepers started serving a sample of the dishes available on a pot cover (tapa) so guest just tasted and pointed at what they liked.
Although most tapas recipes are not hard to prepare, the idea of preparing 6 to 8 different dishes can be overwhelming. Espuña tapas essentials are here to come to the rescue. You can still prepare a few tapas yourself, but Espuña now offers Canadians 18 heat-and-serve and ready-to-serve traditional Spanish tapas which will cut down on your prep time dramatically. I really enjoyed the bacon wrapped dates that you simply pop in the microwave before serving.
They also have a great selection of traditional Spanish-style cured meats (check out all the products on the Espuña Canada facebook page). They are a Spanish company which has just entered the Canadian market. I was rolling in cured meats there for a bit: from slices of Barcelona Style Salami, a couple of whole salamis – like the Olot salami – and a big selection of single serve size cañitas (sticks). You can taste the quality in every Espuña product, my favorite hands down was the Chorizo salami. Loved the heavy paprika taste. It was perfect for this Chorizo in Red Wine recipe.
Normally this recipe is prepared with fresh Chorizo sausage but I was ready for the challenge to use a cured meat version. I just cut the quantity in half (weight) and cut down on the frying time. Oh what a great tapas! The red wine sauce was so unctuous as well. I had a bit left over and I drizzled it on a slice of quiche, heaven! And make sure to pair your tapas meal with a lovely bottle of Spanish red wine as well, like I did 😉
Have you ever had a tapas meal?
What is your favorite tapas recipe?
Chorizo in Red Wine
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 shallots finely sliced
- 1 garlic clove finely chopped
- 200 g fresh chorizo or 100 gr salami chorizo
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 2 bay leaves
- 3/4 cup red wine
Instructions
- Cut chorizo into slices about 1/4 inch thick and set aside.
- Heat the olive oil in a pan on medium. Add shallots and cook for 2 minutes, then add the garlic and cook for another minute.
- Add the chorizo to the fryingpan and cook for about 3 minutes, or until they start to crisp up.
- Throw in the paprika, bay leaves and red wine. Cook until most of the wine has evaporated off and the liquid has the consistency of a rich glaze. Serve with toothpicks.
The products featured in this post were provided to me free of cost for review. Any personal opinions reflected in this post are my own and without influence.
Ooh I’m off to Spain in a week so hoping to eat lots of chorizo in red wine! Thanks for sharing
Thanks Suze and enjoy the trip, home you get to eat plenty of tapas!
I haven’t had chorizo in so long so you are completely making me hungry right now lol. I mean really hungry lol. I just love this dish. And thank you so much for the wonderful words you left on my blog… I truly appreciate you. xox
Kia / KTS
http://www.houseofkts.com
Welcome back Kia, so nice to hear from you and you have been in my thoughts a lot. SO glad you like this dish!
I’ve heard the covering-the-glass-with-meat version of the origin of tapas, but not the second. Think the second sounds more realistic, but who knows? Anyway, love tapas. And a mess of them do make a great party. Chorizo in red wine? Sounds wonderful! Thanks!
Yeah I agree the second story sounds more real. If the first one was right then all of Europe would have covered a glass. GLad you like the recipe 🙂
Evelyne you’ve got my mouth watering with this recipe! I love tapas so so much.
Seems the love for tapas is everywhere, everyone wants to try this. Hope you make it and enjoy it soon Nancy!
Brilliant idea! I love chorizo and the thought of cooking it in red wine is getting me excited for my Easter get together.I am definitely making this. Thanks for the wonderful recipe.
Oh that is a good idea for Easter, I ma make it again. I hope you really enjoy the recipe.
This is such an interesting way to prepare chorizo…in wine…I can only imagine how tasty this must be…great idea for tapas.
Have a wonderful week Evelyne 🙂
Thanks Juliana, indeed the red wine really compliments the chorizo well. Have a great week too!
This is my favourite sausage and it looks like its even infused with even more goodness! Yum!
Oh great that I chose your favorite sausage. Yes the red wine is awesome with it!
This is mouth-watering. I believe that tapas and wine matches really well. YUM!
They do indeed, and best enjoyed with a glass as well 🙂
I don’t eat a lot of Spanish chorizo because it’s not that easy to find here, but I recently did find a local source. It’s on my list to pick some up because I am absolutely in love with the dish!!!!! We love tapas so this dish along with some marinated olives, maybe some roasted peppers and crusty bread would be an awesome meal. Thanks Evelyne for sharing this!
Thanks MJ for your great comment and I am so happy you were able to source some chorizo. I know you will love this dish (make extra sauce!!!!)
wow..I wish I could reach in and grab some for my dinner!
Thanks Angie, I wish I could give you some right out of the screen!
Man I am drooling now. I adore chorizo and cooking it in red wine is just such a tasty idea. I’ve tried it a few times but never made it myself! Thanks for the recipe Eve 😀
Well then you must try this recipe Lorraine. And make extra sauce for other recipes too 😀
After I’ve made some fresh chorizo I will try this tapas recipe ?
Oh I hope you post that recipe for fresh chorizo!
I love tapas—sampling lots of different plates sounds like heaven to me! Glad your found some yummy shortcuts!
I also love a meal where you can try several foods at once 🙂