TEMPTING TAPAS - A Meal for a Friend

Eating out is great. But last time, Zelda and Stuie went out for tapas, they were offered a bottle of wine for £24 which they knew was available for £5 in the local supermarket - rather a large mark-up! So, this time, they are eating in (with wine, of course!)

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Garlic Mushrooms

Patatas Bravas

Roast Chickpeas

Bruschetta

Cheesy Garlic Bread
Pesto and Mozzarella Tarts

GARLIC MUSHROOMS (adapted from Posh Mushrooms on Toast)

150g mushrooms, sliced

25g butter

Salt and pepper

1 garlic clove, crushed

75ml double cream

3 sprigs of fresh thyme

Melt the butter in a pan. When it foams, add the mushrooms. Toss to make sure they are all coated and then allow to cook for a couple of minutes, stirring occasionally.

Add the garlic and cook for a minute more. Then pour over the cream and sprinkle in leaves from two of the sprigs of thyme.

Allow to simmer for about 5 minutes, stirring every now and then until it thickens. Season to taste.

Serve in a bowl.

PATATAS BRAVAS

3tbsp olive oil

1 small onion, chopped

2 garlic cloves, crushed

1 large tin chopped tomatoes

1tbsp tomato ketchup

2tbsp paprika

1tsp chilli powder

500g potatoes, peeled

Heat 1tbsp of the oil and cook the onion until slightly brown. Add the garlic and cook for a minute more.

Pour in the tomatoes and add the ketchup and the spices.

Bring to the boil and simmer for at least 20 minutes.

Meanwhile, cut the potatoes into cubes. Coat with the remaining oil and spread over the base of a baking tray.

Roast at 200°C/ Gas 6 for about 40 minutes, stirring half-way.

When golden, tip into the sauce (reheat it if necessary). Stir to coat.

ROAST CHICKPEAS

400g can chickpeas, drained, rinsed and allowed to dry

1tbsp olive oil

Salt and black pepper

1tsp chilli flakes

Mix all the ingredients together in a bowl.

Place them on a baking tray and cook at 200°C/ Gas 6 for about 25 minutes.

Serve when firm until golden.

BRUSCHETTA

1 red onion, peeled and chopped finely

12 small, sweet tomatoes, chopped

3 garlic cloves, peeled and crushed

2tbsp balsamic vinegar

4 slices of thick crust bread
small bunch of thyme leaves

Mix the onion, tomatoes, garlic, vinegar and thyme together in a bowl. Season and set aside for up to an hour to allow the flavours to develop.

When ready to serve, toast the bread on both sides and cut each slice in half.

Spread the tomato mixture over each piece.

CHEESY GARLIC BREAD

500g strong white flour + extra for shaping

7g sachet fast-action yeast

1tsp salt

2tbsp olive oil

1tbsp honey

30g butter

2 garlic cloves

75g cheddar cheese, finely grated

2tsp fresh thyme leaves

Place the flour, yeast and salt in a bowl.

Mix the oil and honey with 300ml warm water.

Pour this into the flour, stirring well throughout until you have a soft, sticky dough.

Turn out onto a lightly floured surface and, with floured hands, knead until the dough feels silky and stops sticking. Add more flour as needed.

Place back in the bowl and cover. Leave in a warm place for about 45 minutes until the dough has doubled in size.

Knock back and knead again. Then stretch out in a tray.

Soften the butter. Crush the garlic and mix both together.

Spread this over the top of the dough.

Sprinkle over the cheese and thyme leaves.

Cover again and leave to rise again.

Cook at 200°C/ Gas 6/ 390°F for about 30 minutes.

Allow to cool slightly and then cut into slices or chunks.

PESTO AND MOZZARELLA TARTS

½ small jar pesto

1 sheet ready-made puff pastry

1 ball mozzarella

Cut pastry into six. Place on baking tray and cut a groove about 1cm from the edge to form a border. Prick the pastry inside the border several times with a fork.

Place in oven at about 200°C/ 390°F/ Gas 6  for 10 mins.

Spread the pesto over the centre of each tart.

Rip the mozzarella into small pieces and place it on top of the pesto.

Place back in oven for about 20 minutes until risen and golden.

Other ideas:
Houmous with breadsticks
Insalata
Tzatziki
Fried Halloumi
Stuffed Red Pepper
Sal Mineo's Pizza Snacks