Tapas: The Essential Kitchen series

In taverns from Madrid to Barcelona you'll find Spaniards passing the early evening hours drinking crisp dry sherry and snacking on a variety of snacks—or tapas. Everything from a simple plate of olives and chorizo sausage with a loaf of good bread to feasts that include Spanish omelets, shrimp with garlic and stuffed tomatoes. While this style of eating is wonderful for warm Mediterranean evenings, it is also perfect for entertaining and quick meals.

Now, with this practical cookbook, you can make your own tapas at home, using Tapas' step-by-step instructions and photographs to show you how to make a variety of dishes. The recipes are easy to follow and are suitable for both beginners and experienced cooks. Filled with elegant photographs, this beautifully designed volume is a great addition to any cookbook collection. Recipes include:

• Chorizo and Olive Empanadas
• Spicy Shrimp Omelet
• Cheese Marinated in Tarragon and Garlic
• Lamb Brochettes with Rosemary
• Mussels Steamed in Spicy Tomato Sauce
• Stuffed Lobster Tails

Richard Tapper was born in New Zealand but has spent most of his life traveling the world, sampling the cuisines of sixty-two countries. He has lived and worked in Indonesia, India, Britain, Holland, France, and the United States, and spent six of the ten years he resided in Deya on the Spanish island of Mallorca owning and operating a tapas bar-restaurant. He currently lives in, Australia, where he works as a caterer and freelance writer.