Tonight was a bit of a special occasion. My nephew is home for spring break, friends were over, and we were all gathering for dinner. It’s time for a little dinner party…
My brother-in-law was in charge of the grill and I was in charge of the sides. I have been wanting to experiment with several tapas recipes and this turned out to be the perfect occasion. Tapas, or small plates, make perfect side dishes and are a fun way to try new things. Yippee!
I started with Roasted Vidalia Onions. Roasting them brings out their sweet, mellow flavor. Topped with Gorgonzola cheese, pine nuts, and chives, these onions practically melt in your mouth. They are a wonderful accompaniment to grilled meat.
Traditional Garlic Shrimp is a very simple dish that packs big flavor. It comes together in minutes. Spinach, Catalan-style was also a big hit. Apples, pine nuts, and raisins are tossed with sautéed spinach making it anything other than typical. I like the idea of using small plates as a way to add big taste to family meals – hopefully you will too!
