Tapas: clean out your fridge!

         When all that’s left in the fridge is a few stray vegetables, ends of cheese, maybe a potato or onion in the pantry, most people make rice or pasta or soup, something where everything goes into the pot. I make tapas, small portions of bite-sized delicacies using leftover ingredients. It’s different every time and a more exciting way to clean out your fridge than leftover-stir-fry. Creating tapas out of whatever’s on hand will help develop your culinary creativity; invent recipes, practice techniques, and try out new flavor and texture combinations. Supplemented with a bottle of Cava, cleaning-out-the-fridge-night can compete with restaurant-date-night!

Here is a sample menu from my most recent tapas/clean out the fridge night:


Cava: Naveran Dama 2006

Patatas bravas with smoked paprika aioli
Ingredients: potato, oil, mayonnaise, extra virgin olive oil, lemon or lime juice, sriracha hot sauce, smoked paprika, cayenne

Arugula and parmesan salad
Ingredients: arugula, parmesan cheese, raisins, extra virgin olive oil, salt, pepper, (Sherry) vinegar


Balsamic braised kale and fried egg bruschetta
Ingredients: cracker, bean dip, kale, egg, extra virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt, pepper

Bean nachos
Ingredients: bean and veggie mix, tortilla chips, hot sauce


Fresh Kiwi (or any fresh fruit you have)

Out of a sparse fridge with nothing but some kale, arugula, a couple of eggs, leftover bean mix, parmesan cheese, a potato, and some pantry staples like oil, vinegar and seasonings came a beautiful meal, healthy, tasty and new. Try your own hand at tapas next time you need to clean out the odds and ends of the fridge for a fun and delicious meal.