Jun 27, 2011

Tapas (burgers)

Tapas

I named this “Tapas” knowing very well that tapas is more a Spanish way of eating than it is a specific food. Tapas are small bites. Snacks or appetizers, if you will, either served cold, warm or luke-warm. Kinda like my Spanish Varillas.

I rarely go out to dinner but when I do get all dolled up, apply three layers of paint to hide the dark circles under my eyes, wear heels that make me look like Godzilla (I’m 5′ 8″) and head downtown, we always seem to end up at one of our local tapas bars, La Cubanita. Yup, that place where you write on the walls.

There’s something decidedly unromantic about eating loads of garlic infused food while you’re crammed around a table that’s too small for two adults and with pen-scratches as far as the eye can see. But… it’s such an incredibly cosy and laid back way of eating—not to mention a wonderful ambiance—that I just don’t care. I’m no four-star restaurant material.

Did I mention they serve these huge pitchers of ice-cold sangria with, get this, colorful straws?!

This recipe is derived from an old supermarket magazine recipe and it just reminds me of eating there. It’s crazy good and so summery.

‘Nuff said.

 

Ingredients:

14oz ground beef (half pork/half beef)
9oz salami or chorizo
cherry tomatoes (roughly 12)
4oz feta cheese
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp sweet paprika powder
1/8 tsp granulated garlic
1/4 tsp dried oregano
1 egg white
1/2 red onion
2/3 cup tomato base
1/4 cup of water
flat-leaf parsley

Optional: Morton’s hot salt

 

Directions:

I opted for half beef/half pork but feel free to use all beef. Or all pork.
Tapas

Separate the egg and lightly whisk the egg white before adding it to the ground beef.
Tapas

Add the seasonings. I’ve been hooked on Morton’s hot salt ever since my chica Claudia brought it back with her from the US.
Tapas

Use an ice scoop to make equal sized portions. I ended up with 12 portions.
Tapas

Get yourself as many tiny pieces of feta as you have burgers, 12 in my case.
Tapas

Smooth the meat over the cheese and form small patties.
Tapas

 
I’m sure this recipe works with mozzarella as well. I just happened to have feta in my fridge.
 

Keep going until you have mini burgers filled with cheese.
Tapas

I opted for pepper salami (it looks like a kroket, doesn’t it?), but chorizo works just as well. Cut off 12 thick slices.
Tapas

Finely mince half a red onion.
Tapas

Wash and dry your cherry tomatoes.
Tapas

Heat a tbsp butter and brown the burgers for a minute on both sides.
Tapas

Transfer them to an oven dish. Don’t clean out the skillet!
Tapas

Cook the salami/chorizo slices for a minute on each side as well.
Tapas

And place them right on top of the burgers. Again, don’t clean out the skillet!
Tapas

 
We’re getting good use out of the burger grease this way! I never said this would be low-fat, did I?!
 

Let’s fry up those onions. Give them a minute or 3.
Tapas

 
This Pomo-Idea is basically a broth with tomato pulp, roasted garlic and olive oil added to it. If you can’t buy it feel free to whip us some vegetable broth and add a little dried basil, oil, garlic and crushed tomatoes to it for a similar effect.
 

I poured in about 2/3 cup of the tomato base.
Tapas

Plus 1/4 cup of water. Unless you’re using broth.
Tapas

And some flat-leaf parsley. Bring it to a boil and turn off the heat.
Tapas

Last but not least, grab yourself some tapas skewers.
Tapas

Place a cherry tomato on top of the salami and lock everything with a skewer.
Tapas

Pour the sauce on the bottom of the oven dish.
Tapas

 
Put the oven dish in a preheated oven for 15 minutes at 375°F (175°C).
 

The meat juices will blend in with the tomato base and onions creating this amazing sauce to dip your bread in.
Tapas

Serve with lots of warm crusty bread. This, my friends, is tapas heaven.
Tapas

 
Serving tip:

Serve with a delicious and easy Rosemary & Garlic Focaccia on the side.

 

Tapas (burgers)
Ingredients
    14oz ground beef (half pork/half beef)
    9oz salami or chorizo
    cherry tomatoes (roughly 12)
    4oz feta cheese
    1 tsp salt
    1/4 tsp black pepper
    1/2 tsp sweet paprika powder
    1/8 tsp granulated garlic
    1/4 tsp dried oregano
    1 egg white
    1/2 red onion
    1/2 cup tomato broth
    1/4 cup of water
    flat-leaf parsley
Directions
    Separate the egg and lightly whisk the egg white before adding it to the ground beef. Add the seasonings, mix it all up and use an ice scoop to make equal sized portions.

    Cut off as many pieces of feta and salami/chorizo slices as you have burgers. Smooth the meat over the cheese and form small patties. Finely mince half a red onion. Wash and dry your tomatoes.

    Heat a tbsp butter and brown the burgers for a minute on both sides. Transfer them to an oven dish. Don’t clean out the skillet! Cook the salami/chorizo slices for a minute on each side as well and place them on top of the burgers. Cook the onion in the same skillet, pour in 2/3 cup tomato base and 1/3 cup water.

    *Tomato base is basically a vegetable broth with garlic, oil and tomato pulp*

    Sprinkle 1 tbsp finely minced parsley in there, bring it to a boil and turn off the heat. Place a cherry tomato on top of the salami and lock everything with a tapas skewer. Pour the sauce on the bottom of the oven dish.

    Put the oven dish in a preheated oven for 15 minutes at 375°F (175°C). Serve with lots of warm crusty bread.
Meal type: appetizer, snack, partfood
Servings: 12
Copyright: © kayotickitchen.com

    © kayotic.com
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    21 Comments »

    1. 1

      I love Tapas restaurants.  We have a few in my area  (Tulsa, OK) and I enjoy them.  I’d much rather eat there than to eat huge meals.  This recipe looks delicious and I’m anxious to try it soon. Thanks for sharing!

      Tracy (Oklahoma) on Jun 27, 2011 @ 7:13 am Reply
    2. 2

      @Tracy:

      Me, too. It’s so much more fun to order all kinds of small different bites than have a huge plate filled with only one thing.  It’s a fun way of eating for sure.

      Kay on Jun 27, 2011 @ 7:16 am Reply
    3. 3

      Ooooooo….looks zooooo ontzettend lekker! I can imagine these going over fantastic in the back garden with a group of friends! Bravo!

      Suzie on Jun 27, 2011 @ 7:18 am Reply
    4. 4

      Looks like you just keep getting better and better with your photography. The recipe and photos are both fabulous.

      Maria on Jun 27, 2011 @ 7:29 am Reply
    5. 5

      Mmm, fantastisch!

      Tine on Jun 27, 2011 @ 7:33 am Reply
    6. 6

      Wat lekker!

      Femke on Jun 27, 2011 @ 10:23 am Reply
    7. 7

      great idea! I’m going to make something like this…

      peachkins on Jun 27, 2011 @ 12:53 pm Reply
    8. 8

      Awesome pics, awesome food…totally drooling out here…

      Arch on Jun 27, 2011 @ 1:22 pm Reply
    9. 9

      @Arch:

      Shoot. I knew I forgot something! Napkins! :)

      Kay on Jun 27, 2011 @ 1:23 pm Reply
    10. 10

      These look party-food-fun and would be a welcome break from the common meatballs so many serve when entertaining. A little more effort, but they look worth it.

      Judy on Jun 27, 2011 @ 1:32 pm Reply
    11. 11

      Oh, my! This looks truly delicious. Photos are fabulous!

      Lana @ Never Enough Thyme on Jun 27, 2011 @ 1:42 pm Reply
    12. 12

      Those herb scissors appear to be a sign of a true gadget nut.lol

      Jack on Jun 27, 2011 @ 10:58 pm Reply
    13. 13

      What a fun presentation! I really like how you layered these little bites. They look very tasty and I am going to make this for my next party.The juices for, as we say here in Nashville, TN, “sopping” look amazingly delicious. thanks.

      Teresa Blackburn on Jun 27, 2011 @ 11:03 pm Reply
    14. 14

      Love it !
       

      arrisje on Jun 27, 2011 @ 11:17 pm Reply
    15. 15

      @Jack:

      I love those darn scissors! Makes food presentation a heck of a lot easier when you don’t bruise the leaves :)

      Kay on Jun 28, 2011 @ 6:25 am Reply
    16. 16

      Delish!   I am definitely looking for the HOT salt.
      Do you like kroket?  I thought it was the oddest thing I have ever tried…need to see if you have a recipe, if not — would you share one?

      eko on Jun 28, 2011 @ 3:00 pm Reply
    17. 17

      @Eko:

      Do I like them? They’re probably my all-time favorite snack.

      I do have a recipe for (vegetable) bitterballen on my site but not for Kroketten, no. I never really make them myself.

      Kay on Jun 28, 2011 @ 3:07 pm Reply
    18. 18

      aah, het ziet er zo lekker uit!

      Yak Man on Jun 28, 2011 @ 6:41 pm Reply
    19. 19

      I found your website when looking for some party appetizer recipes…. First your site, the pictures, recipes are great.
      I love these tapas burgers. It looks so beautiful and delicious. This is definitely one of the dishes I’m going to prepare for my guests.
      Meg

      Meg on May 16, 2012 @ 5:42 pm Reply
    20. 20

      Oh my, these look so unbelievably mouthwatering! I must try them – maybe a nice project for the weekend :)

      Claudia on Oct 11, 2012 @ 10:38 am Reply
    21. 21

      Ur dishes and photos are stunning really nice!! Keep it up love it ;)
       

      chester on Feb 22, 2013 @ 3:35 am Reply

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