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Tapas: A Taste of Spain in America: A Cookbook
The first major Spanish cookbook in two decades, from José Andrés, recently named America’s Chef of the Year by Bon Appétit.
Tapas are Spain's gift to the world of great cooking: a fresh and fun way to eat with friends and family—and easy to make at home. Using simple Mediterranean ingredients, a tapas feast is a perfect combination of little dishes packed with big flavors. Tapas by José Andrés is the first major book in a generation to celebrate this world-renowned way of eating, from a man who is the best possible authority: an award-winning Spanish chef in America, with seven highly acclaimed restaurants to his name. Recently named Bon Appétit's Chef of the Year, José is a new star in American cooking, as well as the nation's leading expert on Spanish cuisine. Having worked as a chef in the United States for two decades, he's also a thoroughly American cook who draws on American ingredients for his inspiration, and is a master at translating his native Spanish cooking for this country's kitchens. His simple and delicious recipes include:
• Fish such as American Red Snapper Baked in Salt; Monkfish with Romesco Sauce; and Basque-Style Stuffed Maryland Blue Crabs
• Chicken including Catalan-Style Chicken Stew; Chicken Sautéed with Garlic; and Chicken with Lobster
• Pork such as Chorizo Stewed in Hard Cider; Figs with Spanish Ham; and Roasted Pork Tenderloin with Apples
• Rice dishes including Lobster Paella; Black Rice with Squid and Shrimp; and Traditional Rice with Clams
All these recipes are full of tremendous flavor and creativity, as well as in-depth ingredient notes and a rich atmosphere that will transport you to the lush countryside, hip cafés, and sun-drenched coasts of Spain—and back again to dinner at home.
This is a breakthrough cookbook from an extraordinary chef.
Tapas are Spain's gift to the world of great cooking: a fresh and fun way to eat with friends and family—and easy to make at home. Using simple Mediterranean ingredients, a tapas feast is a perfect combination of little dishes packed with big flavors. Tapas by José Andrés is the first major book in a generation to celebrate this world-renowned way of eating, from a man who is the best possible authority: an award-winning Spanish chef in America, with seven highly acclaimed restaurants to his name. Recently named Bon Appétit's Chef of the Year, José is a new star in American cooking, as well as the nation's leading expert on Spanish cuisine. Having worked as a chef in the United States for two decades, he's also a thoroughly American cook who draws on American ingredients for his inspiration, and is a master at translating his native Spanish cooking for this country's kitchens. His simple and delicious recipes include:
• Fish such as American Red Snapper Baked in Salt; Monkfish with Romesco Sauce; and Basque-Style Stuffed Maryland Blue Crabs
• Chicken including Catalan-Style Chicken Stew; Chicken Sautéed with Garlic; and Chicken with Lobster
• Pork such as Chorizo Stewed in Hard Cider; Figs with Spanish Ham; and Roasted Pork Tenderloin with Apples
• Rice dishes including Lobster Paella; Black Rice with Squid and Shrimp; and Traditional Rice with Clams
All these recipes are full of tremendous flavor and creativity, as well as in-depth ingredient notes and a rich atmosphere that will transport you to the lush countryside, hip cafés, and sun-drenched coasts of Spain—and back again to dinner at home.
This is a breakthrough cookbook from an extraordinary chef.
443 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 8, 2005
217 people are currently reading
236 people want to read
About the author
José Andrés
44 books125 followersJosé Ramón Andrés Puerta, más conocido como José Andrés, es un cocinero español-estadounidense. Desde 2013 tiene también la nacionalidad estadounidense.
Chef/Owner of ThinkFoodGroup, star of the "Made In Spain" television series, and culinary creator and advocate.
Chef/Owner of ThinkFoodGroup, star of the "Made In Spain" television series, and culinary creator and advocate.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
May 24, 2020
After receiving this as a gift in 2007, I've tried its individual recipes over many years, yet I always went straight to the directions on the pages and was intentional about getting just the right ingredients in advance. Of course, there is nothing wrong with that process, but I did not take the time to slow down and really enjoy this as a book. As I'm now taking time to revisit my culinary books, I'm slowing down to read those which present more than recipes alone.
So many reasons I recommend "Tapas: A Taste of Spain In America" to you:
1) Chef Jose Andrés is one of our world's finest chefs, yet here he is accessible while teaching us professionally about tapas. The eighteen chapters of this book are well-organized: starting with olives and olive oil, dedicating a chapter to rice midway (chapter 10), and dedicating individual chapters to various seafood and meats towards the end (chapters 12 - 16). I noted that he was generous and respectful in referring to his mentors, so increasingly I paid attention to various techniques he passes on to us. Numerous times in the chapters there are succinct references to the history of the ingredients, enhancing my appreciation of the food. The writing also emphasizes the integrity of food, of eating, and of providing genuine hospitality -- all delivered with a light touch.
2) You'll learn more about tapas from this master chef who assures us, "This book is aimed at the home cook, not the professional, because tapas are for eating at home or with friends." I recognized and followed directions for many of the traditional tapas I learned from my housemother in Madrid (back in the 1980s) and quite a few I've enjoyed in restaurants in Spain and United States both. In addition to those, I also learned some new tapas (such as "watermelon and tomato skewers") and found them to be delicious. Again, emphasis is given to home cooks and allows for ingredients that are not purely Spanish. In fact, details I entirely missed before were numerous teaching tips that allow for substitutions (Japanese restaurants, an Iranian market, and so on) or outright compliments for food from other parts of the world, including numerous references to food collectives or independent gardens throughout the United States. Just as he has a light touch as mentioned in #1, it becomes evident that Chef Andrés truly cares about the people who cook at home (common people like me) and those who provide the ingredients, restaurant meals, and international flavors.
3) Echoing the idea that tapas are for loved ones and the home, Chef Andrés provides ample stories of his family, and these were so heartwarming. In fact, he compliments and presents his wife Tichi's gazpacho before he honors his world-renown mentor Ferran Adrià (creator of the watermelon-tomato skewers). References to his wife, parents, children, and friends are found throughout, and sometimes there are outright funny stories that never belittle the others.
Reading this slowly and bit by bit trying the recipes from before and new ones, too, I found the food to be delicious yet again, and so did my husband. Right now, in spring of 2020, I can't find "exactly the right" ingredient, but that doesn't matter. I'm able to cook and appreciate the history and dignity of what I'm able to gather. These past weeks, I came to feel a bit like a chef, and I hope the same will be true for you.
So many reasons I recommend "Tapas: A Taste of Spain In America" to you:
1) Chef Jose Andrés is one of our world's finest chefs, yet here he is accessible while teaching us professionally about tapas. The eighteen chapters of this book are well-organized: starting with olives and olive oil, dedicating a chapter to rice midway (chapter 10), and dedicating individual chapters to various seafood and meats towards the end (chapters 12 - 16). I noted that he was generous and respectful in referring to his mentors, so increasingly I paid attention to various techniques he passes on to us. Numerous times in the chapters there are succinct references to the history of the ingredients, enhancing my appreciation of the food. The writing also emphasizes the integrity of food, of eating, and of providing genuine hospitality -- all delivered with a light touch.
2) You'll learn more about tapas from this master chef who assures us, "This book is aimed at the home cook, not the professional, because tapas are for eating at home or with friends." I recognized and followed directions for many of the traditional tapas I learned from my housemother in Madrid (back in the 1980s) and quite a few I've enjoyed in restaurants in Spain and United States both. In addition to those, I also learned some new tapas (such as "watermelon and tomato skewers") and found them to be delicious. Again, emphasis is given to home cooks and allows for ingredients that are not purely Spanish. In fact, details I entirely missed before were numerous teaching tips that allow for substitutions (Japanese restaurants, an Iranian market, and so on) or outright compliments for food from other parts of the world, including numerous references to food collectives or independent gardens throughout the United States. Just as he has a light touch as mentioned in #1, it becomes evident that Chef Andrés truly cares about the people who cook at home (common people like me) and those who provide the ingredients, restaurant meals, and international flavors.
3) Echoing the idea that tapas are for loved ones and the home, Chef Andrés provides ample stories of his family, and these were so heartwarming. In fact, he compliments and presents his wife Tichi's gazpacho before he honors his world-renown mentor Ferran Adrià (creator of the watermelon-tomato skewers). References to his wife, parents, children, and friends are found throughout, and sometimes there are outright funny stories that never belittle the others.
Reading this slowly and bit by bit trying the recipes from before and new ones, too, I found the food to be delicious yet again, and so did my husband. Right now, in spring of 2020, I can't find "exactly the right" ingredient, but that doesn't matter. I'm able to cook and appreciate the history and dignity of what I'm able to gather. These past weeks, I came to feel a bit like a chef, and I hope the same will be true for you.
November 7, 2012
My wife and I used to watch Jose's TV show, Vamos a Cocinar, on the Spanish language station. We didn't know who he was at the time, but we loved the show and how he made it more than just throwing recipes your way--he explained why he did everything and what the differences it made in the making of the food. I think only Molto Mario really reached this level of teaching on American TV. So, imagine our surprise while we were visiting a friend in DC when we were treated out to dinner in his restaurant there (we didn't even know he was in the US) for one of the best meals of our lives. Jose brings the same level of passion in his cooking to this book. It might be ostensibly about Tapas, but in learning these recipes you're learning how to cook Spanish. Simply a great book. Be warned, if you use his recipes and techniques to make paella at home, you'll never be satisfied with restaraunt paella again,
February 6, 2017
Several tasty dishes, including some we ate at Jaleo in DC.
August 12, 2017
This is a really fascinating cookbook. I loved tapas in Barcelona and the recipes in this book certainly have a distinct flair that I appreciate. Particular favorites are the "Pipirrana Andaluza con atun de almadraba" (tomato, green pepper and cucumber salad with tuna and olive oil) and "Codorniz con lentejas" (quail with smoked bacon and lentil stew).
March 11, 2019
After visiting Spain several times over the years, I became a huge fan of tapas. I've never been able to get the same tastes in America. If you love tapas the way I do, I think you'll enjoy this book.
April 23, 2024
Great for gatherings
Great book...wonderful resource for food for gatherings. I lived worked in DC and have eaten at Jaleo. My favorite was the garlic shrimp. Now I can make some these for friends.
Great book...wonderful resource for food for gatherings. I lived worked in DC and have eaten at Jaleo. My favorite was the garlic shrimp. Now I can make some these for friends.
December 16, 2017
Gazpacho de La nonna for the win.
February 7, 2024
The recipes are challenging, but the results are worth it.
April 23, 2024
Quality cookbook
3.5/5.0 stars
This is a great cookbook filled with some delicious recipes. There are plenty that I plan to try.
3.5/5.0 stars
This is a great cookbook filled with some delicious recipes. There are plenty that I plan to try.
January 8, 2008
This is absolutely the best book on Spanish cooking I have found. All the recipes are nearly identical to how my host mom in Spain taught me to make them (at least the tortilla, sopa de ajo, sopa de pescado, paella, gazpacho, and white almond gazpacho are dead-on). And, it has all the recipes I wish she had taught me! An added plus for all you foodies or DC-locals: the author is the incredible Jose Andres, chef of Jaleo -- one of the best tapas restaurants in America.
April 3, 2019
One of my favourite new cook books
Tapas: A Taste of Spain in America by José Andrés, Richard Wolffe
“Tapas are Spain's gift to the world of great cooking: a fresh and fun way to eat with friends and family—and easy to make at home”
This is a wonderful collection of crowd pleasing recipes from one of my favourite chefs. I have tried many of them and keep coming back for more!
Tapas: A Taste of Spain in America by José Andrés, Richard Wolffe
“Tapas are Spain's gift to the world of great cooking: a fresh and fun way to eat with friends and family—and easy to make at home”
This is a wonderful collection of crowd pleasing recipes from one of my favourite chefs. I have tried many of them and keep coming back for more!
August 21, 2009
Wow! recipes, well written, interesting and do-able. Cut back the olive oil by lots (tho it's probably not authentic) and look real for Spanish products (it's part of the fun). Then have a tapas party with lots of friends. Great stuff!
June 7, 2007
It looks great and I love his restaurants, but I haven't tried to make anything out of it yet. My plan is master the sofrito...
August 15, 2008
All the recipes are great, and bring me back to Spain for an afternoon or evening. The book made me go to Jaleo in DC last summer and...wow.
April 29, 2009
I'll pick out a few for May's book club at my house.
July 2, 2009
Another from the library. Made a marinated cheese appetizer. The type of food appeals to me - and the photos in the book are beautiful - but a lot is meat based. I like his style, though.
June 26, 2009
local d.c. chef - go enjoy a 5 hour brunch at jaleo. discovered the foundations and themes in authentic spanish food.
November 17, 2011
It's a party in a book!
April 9, 2012
Best gazpacho ever! So yummy. The book is worth reading/browsing just for that... though he has many great recipes.
December 30, 2012
love jose's fresh food simple take on tapas.
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March 11, 2019Love the simplicity of Spanish cooking!
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews