Tapas culture is known all around the world. However, tapas are a starter, and starters are divided into three groups: seafood, cold meats and soup starters. You’ll want to choose a starter that matches the main dish that you are going to cook (meat or fish) for your meals. Meat will be served after a starter of cured meats (Ibéricos) or soup (consommé) and fish is introduced by shellfish, crustaceans or the traditional soup of shellfish.

Spanish Prawn Cocktail

Spanish prawn cocktails are really simple to prepare, and at the same time they are really delicious. In Spain, a prawn cocktail is widely used by many mums that are looking to prepare something fast, cold and easy to whet appetites before the main dish. Note that for the Spanish version of the prawn cocktail, it uses a splash of orange juice to give a unique taste to the dish. 

Spanish Marinated Mussels

Marinated mussels are a very popular Spanish food option particularly during Christmas or any other festivity. It’s a dish full of flavour and the perfect starter for a fish menu. You can find cans of pre-marinated mussels but, if you prefer to prepare them from scratch, they’re really easy to prepare – we’ll show you a recipe from the great 7 times Michelin starred Spanish chef, Martín Berasategui.

Iberic Ham Croquettes

Croquettes are one starter loved by kids and grown-ups, and a perfect aperitivo any day of the year. They can be a great addition to your festive menu! To truly make them an authentic recipe, you should use Spanish Iberic ham.

Platter of Spanish Cured Meats

This is, without a doubt, one of the most exquisite and famous Spanish plates. It’s easy to share with family and friends and it simply cannot disappoint during a Spanish dinner. If you store the cold meat in the fridge, take it out at least one hour before eating, so that it can reach the perfect temperature of 22° – 25°. 

Spanish Winter Consommé

Consommé is without a doubt one of the most traditional recipes during Christmas festivities in Spain. To make it great, use ingredients of good quality (bio and free-range) and (if you’d like to add them) make sure to never mix bones of different animals. It’s better served in a cup, rather than on a plate.

Seafood Soup – Sope de Marisco

Seafood soup is another star dish during winter festivities in Spain. It’s the perfect starter if you are cooking fish for a main dish and you can freeze any leftovers you have to use another day for preparing a delicious seafood paella.

Ready to Cook?

Now that you are feeling hungry, go to the kitchen and start cooking! Remember that Spanish starters go perfectly with cold Spanish beer, la cerveza española!