Serrano Ham Bites with Melon and Cheese are tasty and simple to assemble tapas that make for easy entertaining.
Serrano Ham Bites with Melon and Cheese
Sue Lau | Palatable Pastime
And for this event we are all making tapas of some sort or the other. And you might wonder what a tapas actually is.
Well, it is a bit less than glamorous that in the days before screened windows, those who relaxed for libations might have to fight off gnats and other little flying critters the same way we still do at a picnic.
Fortunately, we have glass windows and screens today. But in the time of getting used to having a piece of ham or bread to top the drinks, people occasionally got to enjoy those, and while starting as a pro bono addition from the bartender, people also came to expect them. Perhaps its where the tradition of bar nibbles comes from, although the arrays of appetizers at some gastropubs far exceeds the quality of a questionable bowl of peanuts tossed down next to your beer.
So tapas have grown from lowly beginnings to become quite gourmet, and the type and variety really can astonish.
For my tapas, I wanted to do something simple, something perfect for hot and sultry weather. Being in Florida has exposed me to humid 90ºF+ temps for the first time this year. And even though (as I write this) I haven’t gotten down to Florida yet (I fly down tomorrow) I do remember living in Florida (Satellite Beach) and how oppressive the heat was that just not cooking at all seemed a wonderful idea. No hot kitchen. No overly warming food. So many times we ate a lot of fruit and other cold and ready nibbles. And the melon balls with serrano ham, fresh cheese, and basil is my perfect idea of what to have while sipping wine. I hope you think so too!
Serrano Ham Bites with Melon and Cheese
Ingredients:
- 1/2 Ripe Cantaloupe, cut into melon balls (pref. same size as cheese)
- 8 ounces Ciliegine Fresh Mozzarella Balls
- 3 ounces thinly sliced Serrano Ham
- 15 Fresh Basil Leaves
- Cocktail Skewers
- 2-3 tablespoons Balsamic Reduction
Method:
- Skewer pieces of melon and mozzarella with a bit of Serrano ham and a basil leaf in between.
- Drizzle with balsamic vinegar reduction and serve.
From the kitchen of palatablepastime.com
You might also like:
Grilled Prawns with Curry Aioli
Gambas al Ajillo: Spanish Garlic Shrimp Tapas
I love small plates so will have to make this soon!
It’s very quick to make and oh so good!
One of my go-to appetizers…with prosciutto. I must try it with Serrano ham the next time!
They are pretty much interchangeable in this dish.
So simple but they look so pretty and I know they’ll be delicious as well – a sign of a good tapa!
Fruit and cheese is one of the best wine pairings! Even if I still love something warm like gambas al ajillo on toasts!
Such beautiful plating! Definitely sounds perfect for the hot weather.
Thanks! Not too hot here yet but…soon!
I love how simple and pretty these are- just beautiful ingredients! Now, I need a melon baller- still on my wishlist!
You have to get one- just think of all the melon balls you could be freezing. Frozen melon balls + rum + blender = fun!
What a lovely tapa platter! I am certainly keeping this recipe, Sue!
Thanks Roz- it really is such an easy recipe, almost embarrassing to post. But so good! 🙂 We don’t always want the recipes to be too involved, do we? More time for wine! 🙂
I see the bordeaux in the photo – is that the wine you would recommend to pair with this?
It depends on the bottle. That particular one is probably not available anymore. I’d suggest visiting a wine shop and sampling.Bordeaux is fine. Also something like a Rioja or Grenache. I like red wines. But you might like something like Prosecco with this.
Very good recipe! It is delicious. The perfect appetizer to serve to a our friends and family, specially during summer. What about adding iberian recently sliced ham? To die for. Congrats for the recipe, we share it with our clients.