Tapas are the little dishes of Spain, consumed with great relish at bars and taverns before lunch, and again before dinner. They have been a tradition in Spain for centuries and serve an important social function, accompanying a congenial drink and filling in the long hours between meals. Intended as a light snack or an appetite teaser, they come in hundreds of varieties, often characteristic of a particular region. Simple or elaborate, mild or spicy, a wide variety of textures and flavours is explored in the selection of more than 300 recipes presented in this book. They are suitable for drinks parties, small suppers, elegant dinners and family feasts. The author was awarded the Spanish National Prize of Gastronomy in 1983 and has written about Spanish food and travel for Vogue, Food and Wine, Connoisseur and The New York Times.