Serrano Ham Bites with Melon and Cheese

palatablepastime

10 years ago

Serrano Ham Bites with Melon and Cheese

Sue Lau | Palatable Pastime

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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!