• HOME
  • happy living
    • meal planning + prep
    • kitchen basics
    • hospitality
    • foodie finds
    • live happily
  • simple eats
    • appetizer recipe
    • beef recipe
    • chicken recipe
    • dessert recipe
    • drink recipe
    • fish recipe
    • lamb recipe
    • salad recipe
    • soup recipe
    • starch recipe
    • vegetable recipe
    • Pressure Cook recipe
    • Slow Cook recipe
  • NWAFOODIE
  • SHOP
  • About
    • Privacy Policy
  • CONTACT
Simple Joyful Food

eat happily

meal planning + prep

Make every Tuesday #TapasTuesday.

January 8, 2021 1 Comment
Make every Tuesday #tapastuesday - main (c)simplejoyfulfood

All we have to do is browse our favorite social media platform and we’ll come across a plethora of trending-food-days such as #MeatlessMonday #SundaySupper and #TacoTuesday. These are all lovely, of course. However, I’d like to propose we adopt a new one… #TapasTuesday.

What are tapas?

The word “tapas” originated in Spain and basically means appetizer or snack. They can be hot or cold as a regular appetizer… however I like to make tapas as an entire meal occasion.

Let me explain why tapas are the perfect meal.

Tapas are a perfect simple meal.

If you ever find yourself struggling to figure out “what’s for dinner” tonight, the answer is always to keep it simple. Yes, that may mean calling up the pizza delivery guy…  however the simplest answer probably is in your fridge, freezer, and pantry.

Tapas are perfect for dinner because you use a little bit of this and a little bit of that. 

In other words, leftovers! 

Small bites! 

Pretty dishes! 

Comfy couch! 

Follow this simple plan for your #TapasTuesday.

If you have ever struggled with meal planning and WISH that you could master it, then #TapasTuesday is for you. It basically plans itself!

Here’s how it works:

1. Plan it out. 

This means open up your fridge and see what leftovers you have that can be incorporated into something else. Remember to think small bites. Next, do the same browsing in your pantry and freezer. Make a list so you can feel super on top of it! Go you!

Make-every-Tuesday-tapastuesday-plan-it-out-csimplejoyfulfood

2. Start with a fun drink. 

This can be a mocktail, cocktail, or even water served in a beautiful glass, poured from that darling pitcher your Aunt Peggy left you.

Make-every-Tuesday-tapastuesday-start-with-martini-csimplejoyfulfood

3. Prep your tapas. 

Remember step 1? Leftover proteins make great quesadillas and because it’s small-bites we’re after, one quesadilla can feed a family because it’s all about a variety of small bites. Tapas prefer not to be complicated, so think easy easy easy.

Make-every-Tuesday-tapastuesday-prep-foods-csimplejoyfulfood

4. Use those gadgets. 

Do you have an air fryer? Popcorn popper? George Forman panini maker? These are PERFECT for tapas! I like to use my air fryer for small bites because it does small batches and clean up is a snap. Then again, a stovetop is always a simple choice.

Make-every-Tuesday-tapastuesday-goat-cheese-poppers-csimplejoyfulfood

5. Multi-task.

 Since tapas are small bites, multiple sheet pans can cook in the same oven, and sauté pans can be reused after a simple wipe clean. The goal is to create LESS WORK and have MORE FUN on #TapasTuesday.

Make-every-Tuesday-tapastuesday-quesadilla-csimplejoyfulfood
Make-every-Tuesday-tapastuesday-zucchini-bites-csimplejoyfulfood

6. Kick back and enjoy. 

Okay, dim the lights and strike a match to those candles and hurricane lamps. Music is always acceptable and if you happen to be close to a campfire or fireplace, it doesn’t get much better than that!

Insider tip: Netflix has great virtual campfires and fireplace scenes, complete with all the delightful crackles and pops!

Make-every-Tuesday-tapastuesday-kick-back-and-enjoy-csimplejoyfulfood

Are tapas something you would consider serving as an entire meal?

Keep it simple, my friend.

Lyndi

Newsletter signup

Please wait...

Thank you for signing up!

You might also like...

#ad #ARSoyStory Quick and easy BLT egg bites - main (c)nwafoodieHow to make quick and easy BLT egg bites. #bujo #mealplanning #mealprep meal planning layout for bullet journal - main (c)nwafoodieA simple bullet journal meal planning template. close up photo of starbucks egg bites in the oven recipe (c)thejoyofeatingwellMake your own Starbucks egg bites in the oven.

Share

Share
Tweet
Email
Pin
Comment
Previous
Next

Comments Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Trackbacks

  1. Grilled Chicken Skewers with Kelp Pesto - Simple Joyful Food says:
    November 17, 2021 at 11:18 am

    […] already know that I’m really into Tapas Tuesday and small plates, so a platter of small bite-sized chicken skewers with kelp pesto skewers was on […]

    Reply

hellooooo Foodie!

author image of thejoyofeatingwell blogHi! My name is Lyndi Fultz, and I live in the beautiful Ozark Mountains that span Northwest Arkansas and Southwest Missouri.

I’m a foodie on a journey to EAT HAPPILY and LIVE SIMPLY. Learning and encouraging along the way and writing about it here on Simple Joyful Food.

Read more…

SJF social links

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Newsletter signup

Please wait...

Thank you for signing up!

search categories

Search by Year

TRENDING POSTS

FOLLOW ON INSTAGRAM

simplejoyfulfood

On a journey to EAT HAPPILY and LIVE SIMPLY. Learning and encouraging along the way and writing about it. Local eats @nwafoodie

Lyndi Fultz
Simple isn’t just about food.⁠ ⁠ It’s a mi Simple isn’t just about food.⁠
⁠
It’s a mindset.⁠
⁠
Planning.⁠
Preparing.⁠
Organizing.⁠
Dreaming.⁠
Planting.⁠
Storing.⁠
Design.⁠
⁠
Joyful isn’t just about being happy.⁠
⁠
It’s a mindset.⁠
⁠
Details.⁠
Senses.⁠
Taste.⁠
Good taste.⁠
Uplifting.⁠
Encouraging.⁠
⁠
Food isn’t just about eating.⁠
⁠
It’s about 360-degree touchpoints.⁠
⁠
Laughter.⁠
Joy.⁠
Experimenting.⁠
Sharing.⁠
⁠
What would you add?⁠
⁠
#eathappily #livesimply #simplejoyfulfood
Ever wonder why a crackling fire draws you towards Ever wonder why a crackling fire draws you towards it like a moth to a flame? The fire’s warmth is more than just heat; the foods you cook on a flame add more than nourishment.⁠
⁠
One of my favorite memories as a kid growing up in the Research Triangle in North Carolina was the annual church hayride at the country home of our friends, the Barbours. We lived in a suburb of the state capital, close to physically yet far away from life on the outskirts of town filled with Tobacco fields, cotton patches, and red dirt roads. ⁠
⁠
The Barbours had some farm that my little self couldn’t comprehend. In reality, they may have had just land, yet to me; land meant a farm. And besides, they had a big ol’ barn, tractors, and hosted the annual hayride.⁠
⁠
My favorite part of the memory was the firepit, where everyone gathered around, laughed, and enjoyed each other’s company. It didn’t matter if you were a kid or elderly. ⁠
⁠
You may think, “But I don’t have a fireplace or firepit! What can I do?” ⁠
⁠
Improvise.⁠
⁠
Youtube a crackling fireplace video or a firepit on a beach. Dim the lights and turn the crackle up. Invite yourself to a friend’s home with ample backyard and offer to bring ‘smores. Go to a park.⁠
⁠
#eathappily #livesimply #simplejoyfulfood
Food and drinks are necessities of life that susta Food and drinks are necessities of life that sustain us, and small, simple touches can make our meals some of our happiest moments of the day. ⁠
⁠
If you know anything about me, you already know that I think that simple things are the best.⁠
⁠
A favorite pepper grinder.⁠
⁠
The mug that reminds you of your happy place.⁠
⁠
Fresh-picked wildflowers.⁠
⁠
Honeycomb.⁠
⁠
First cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil.⁠
⁠
What are some of yours?⁠
⁠
#eathappily #livesimply #simplejoyfulfood
Webster’s Dictionary has two excellent definitio Webster’s Dictionary has two excellent definitions for the word nourishment. One is “to provide with food,” and the other is “to provide for,” to provide support.⁠
⁠
I love that.⁠
⁠
Just as food sustains and keeps us alive, feeling supported sustains us mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. It’s how we build bonds, friendships, and hope for the future.⁠
⁠
#eathappily #livesimply #simplejoyfulfood
“Stop sneaking the spiced candied pecans!” I s “Stop sneaking the spiced candied pecans!” I said this not once, not twice, but almost three times before Dennis beat me to say those words again. “I’m sneaking some more,” he happily declared.⁠
⁠
I’m delighted that he was enjoying them! I assured him that he could have allllll that his little heart desired… he just had to allow me to take a few photos for you!⁠
⁠
You see these spiced candied pecans are simple and easy go-to appetizers that we should always have the ingredients on hand. For those “just in case” moments when… ⁠
⁠
…Oh forget it! Every day is the perfect moment!⁠
⁠
Link in bio for the recipe!⁠
⁠
#eathappily #livesimply #simplejoyfulfood
here’s a special bonding moment when you raise a here’s a special bonding moment when you raise a glass and give a toast, followed by that happy clink. Here’s why I think giving thanks and appreciating everyday moments are essential.⁠
⁠
Salud!⁠
⁠
To Your Health!⁠
⁠
Cheers!⁠
⁠
Did you know that folks in the UK will use the word “cheers” as “thank you?” From wedding toasts to praising someone for remarkable achievement, raising a glass with a special someone is a special bonding moment.⁠
⁠
I love that part about “cheers” and “thank” can be the same. ⁠
⁠
Have you ever wanted to become more thankful? More grateful? More appreciative of, well, everything that we take for granted?⁠
⁠
Why not give thanks and cheer a little more often?⁠
⁠
#eathappily #livesimply #simplejoyfulfood
Load More... Instagram

contact

lyndi@thejoyofeatingwell.com

inspiration

“Just like becoming an expert in wine–you learn by drinking it, the best you can afford–you learn about great food by finding the best there is, whether simply or luxurious. Then you savor it, analyze it, and discuss it with your companions, and you compare it with other experiences.” – Julia Child

Copyright 2023 thejoyofeatingwell