tempting tapas recipes

One thing you're sure to enjoy when visiting Spain is tapas-tasting.

Venturing out for a tapeo is an important part of Spanish culture, and tapas certainly capture the flavor of Spain - colorful, provocative, and a delight to the senses.

But, where did they originate?... What does the word tapa mean?... And what, exactly, are they?...

tapas origins and tapas history

It's believed that Spanish tapas originate from the large, southerly region of Andalucia.

The word tapa literally means cover or lid.

At the beginning of the 19th century, bartenders in Spain would cover the customer's glass to keep out flies and insects.

It gradually became the custom to place a tasty morsel on top of this lid ... and so, Spanish tapas were born.

Tapas are, essentially, snacks ... the Spanish tend to take a fairly late lunch, so a mid-morning snack is more-than welcome.

But, Spanish tapas are also extremely versatile:

• they make wonderful starters or appetizers
• they're ideal for buffets
• you can combine two or three to make a full meal

They're also much healthier than present-day, fast-food snacks.

I guess it's part of human nature to love snacking, isn't it?

So, why not start snacking the healthy, Spanish way with these tasty tapas recipes?...