I love hosting friends dinner at home, especially themed ones. Now living in Barcelona I started doing mediterranean/spanish style gatherings and they have been a huge success so far! These are the things, recipes or decorations that I either use or ...
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Check list
Inspiration
Recipes
Check list
These are my must to haves when hosting Spanish themed dinner or just simply tapas and friends night
Useful for garlic, but most importantly for grating tomato for pan con tomate! It’s one of those tools you don’t think you need until you host dinners. I prefer ceramic, because they look cute and you can find them locally handmade
Garlic grater (ceramic or stainless steel)
My favorite simple snack and a must-have when hosting a Spanish-themed dinner. Perfect for pan con tomate, olive oil, dipping in garlic shrimps sauce or just tearing and sharing
Rustic bread (pan de payés style)
I like to place a bottle on the table so people can drizzle it over bread, tomatoes, or salads. It instantly makes everything feel more Mediterranean
Good olive oil
A small detail, a salt is a salt you would think, but flaky ones change everything, especially on tomatoes and bread. I like locally sourced, but Maldon is also a good option
Flaky sea salt
Even though I'm not a fan of jamón personally, I love assembling a simple board with it and other cured meats, but must for me is fuet. I love that these boards feel festive without requiring much cooking
Jamón, fuet or cured meats board
Mix of one soft cheese, one aged one and something salty, some fig jam and honey on the side. And with a bread, it disappears first!
Spanish cheese selection
A bottle of Spanish wine (or vermouth) is always part of the atmosphere. If you go for vermouth, dont' forget to add some ice and an olive
Red wine or vermouth
I love this particular one, because it's not overcrowded with pictures and it's handmade, but any cute tablecloth would do the trick
Cute Tablecloth
Soft lighting makes everything feel slower and more intimate. I almost never use strong overhead light when hosting and at least couple candles are always on the table (but usually way more)
Warm lighting or candles
These just set the mood so much and especially when it's dark and gloomy, it gives a nice pop of colour to the table
Fun Candle Holders
Very sturdy, so we use them everyday at my house, but looks elegant and chic on the Spanish dinner table
Thick Wine Glasses
Very practical!
Table Coasters
Subtle Spanish or Mediterranean music sets the perfect mood, but please have prepared a more ritmic salsa playlist, you might need it
Background music
I prefer a few simple dishes rather than many complicated ones, it feels more authentic and easier for me. Also, great for a potluck style gathering. My favs: pimentos padron, pan con tomate, gildas, tortilla, olivas
Simple Spanish tapas
Inspiration
Things I want to add to my collection to bring the dinner vibes to perfection
These are sturdy, colourful, but also match mostly everything
