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Thursday, November 3, 2011

It Takes Two to Tapa!

Last Saturday, we all woke up, got dressed, and went out for a family breakfast.  We went to our most favourite breakfast place in all of Barrie - the Country Kettle Restaurant on Essa Rd.   We had eggs over-easy, crispy bacon, home potatoes, and toast.  It's a small, cozy little place, where you are welcome with a hot cup of coffe and where you can always feel "at home".  It's quite special to go out for breakfast, as a family.  I know that one day, I'll look back and reminisce about all these good times, as the girls grow older (and us too).  It's always the little things!

After breakfast, we went grocery shopping.  Nuno and I decided to make Tapas for dinner, instead of cooking up one big meal. We picked up some chorizo, mussels, shrimp, baguettes, and a few other items.  If you don't know what Tapas are, they are types of snacks, or appetizers - finger food, if you will.  Tapas originated in Spain, but they aren't just Spanish appetizers anymore.  They have evolved into a whole new cuisine.  People are serving them at parties, dinners, get-togethers.  And the best part, is that they encourage conversation, laughter, and a more relaxed atmosphere.  It doesn't have to be all about the three course dinner anymore. 



Nuno and I, working together on our tapas dinner




These are teeny tiny quail eggs.  We even had a couple with double yolks!



Toasted baquette slices, brushed with x v olive oil, and topped with sliced chorizo and quail eggs



Steamed mussels and shrimp in a wine, garlic and herb sauce



On the dish in front, you can see bacon wrapped brussels sprouts with dipping sauce.  My friend, Laura, shared the recipe with me.  They were absolutely incredible!!  Thank you, Laura! I will definitely be making those again. 



Here are the tapas, served on our living room table, with chilled white wine.  We ate, while we watched some TV with the girls.  It was the perfect end to a wonderful, relaxing Saturday!



By the way, Recipe to Riches aired again last night.  Yesterday's episode was Appetizers.  The winning recipe came from a New Brunswick man, John Grass.  His recipe for bacon-wrapped, grilled chicken skewers looked very tempting and simple enough to make at home.  Nuno has to remind me that the show is geared to shoppers wanting to buy simple, fast, pop-in-your oven, grocery store products.  I laugh and agree.  I can compromise...buy them at the store, then make my own at home. 


Thanks for stopping in to read today's post.  I hope you enjoyed.   See you soon! xo


10 comments:

  1. I love the idea of Tapas for dinner...great food, wonderful variety, ease in preparation! My family would love this...great way to end the weekend! Glad you liked the b.sprout recipe xoxox

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  2. This post reminds me of the days before VCRs and DVDs when Gone with the Wind was shown on tv. I had read the entire book to Emily when she had mono, so we were super excited to see it on tv. We made tapas (only we called them snacks, lol) and had a feast in the living room while we watched the movie. Such a wonderful memory :)

    Your tapas take it to a whole new level and inspire me to do the same thing the next time my whole family is home. Wonderful food and lovely post! xoxo

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  3. Beautiful...As always!!!

    I loved seeing all the yummy food, and so well organized. The gorgeous couple also decorate the pictures with their smiles. If one day you open a family Restaurant ' Barrie's Best Food Restaurant' You'll be very successful:) All your Facebook friends will be there for sure. XOXOXO

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  4. That all looks super nice. Reminds me of our traditional Xmas eve meal--an evening of appetizers. More fun than eating anything else. What was with the shrimp? Wish I were having all that for dinner today!

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  5. It was fun making them, almost as fun as eating the tapas. almost! But not quite.

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  6. How fun!!! Looks like they were tons of fun creating them and what a charming table...and then great fun eating them all!! Yes, family relaxing breakfasts are the best. We can get so busy during the week that on Sunday we can make things more relaxed and enjoy!! I just love it when family comes to the cabin for a sleepover and then we do breakfast the next morning. Even the coffee tastes better! Ha! Just love your posts, Rosinda!! Love and hugs, Sherry xxxx

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  7. what a great evening meal, Rosinda :) I love it... it also gives me ideas for my annual christmas party here at ingleside. and it's great nuno was cooking too! You are a wonderful family
    love you!

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  8. Oh! I love going out for tapas, but I've never thought about making them at home before (...despite the Gone With The Wind story. I totally just thought we were having snacks...)

    Great idea!

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  9. Tapas sounds outstanding for dinner!!! I love having different tastes and your 'collection' of wonderful foods sounds incredible. It's wonderful that you all went out to breakfast together....it sounds like my kind of place. For us, it's the Cracker Barrel--it's a chain restaurant but it always makes us feel at home and it's very cozy inside---even having oil lamps on the tables....we just love it there!!! I'm glad you had such a wonderful weekend!!
    xo
    Joann

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  10. Yummy yum yums Rosinda! I love Tapas, so tasty, informal and perfect for a relaxed evening with the family. Everything looks great, but the prawns and mussels would be filling my plate!
    I took a peek at The Country Kettle's site and my breakfast of choice would be the sweet temptation!
    Love Morwenna xoxo

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