Manchego March

A new snacky party theme!

Hi friends, I know it’s still February, but we’ve now entered the “liminal space” of the year. It’s still the dead of winter in the northeast, but Spring is just on the horizon. Not yet, but we’re close. That being said, today we have something to look forward to: Manchego March.

I’ve been having so much fun ideating snacky party ideas for the year, so I figured I’d share some more themes for you to try out! We started out with a classic Galentine’s, and for March we’re celebrating one of my favorite cheeses: Manchego.

Manchego is a popular Spanish sheep’s milk cheese from the La Mancha region of Spain (fun fact, same place as Don Quixote!) Its texture is firm and buttery, with a nutty, earthy and salty bite. As it ages, the notes become sharper and more complex.

I love pairing Manchego with fig jam, honey or quince paste for a sweet and savory balance. It also goes great with salty accompaniments like jamón, olives, or a drizzle of olive oil.

With every good snacky party, I start planning out the snacks before tackling the decorations. This is That “Tapas Bar” Plate from my book That Cheese Plate Wants to Party, which acts as a perfect indulgent party spread. Following my appetizer method, I always like to feature an array of bites, bowls and boards. This spread has a great variety of flavor and texture.

THE BITE: Pan con Tomate

Ingredients

• 4 slices of crusty bread (like a rustic baguette)

• 2 ripe tomatoes

• 1 garlic clove, peeled

• Extra virgin olive oil

• Salt (preferably flaky sea salt)

Instructions

1. Grill or toast the bread slices until golden and crisp. A little char is great for extra flavor.

2. While the bread is still warm, gently rub the peeled garlic clove over the surface. It adds just the right amount of flavor without overpowering.

3. Cut the tomatoes in half and grate them on the coarse side of a box grater, discarding the skins. You’ll be left with a fresh, juicy tomato pulp.

4. Spoon or spread the grated tomato generously over the toasted bread. Drizzle with good olive oil and sprinkle with salt to taste.

THE BOWL: Patatas Bravas

Ingredients

For the potatoes:

• 2 large russet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes

• Olive oil (for frying)

• Salt

For the bravas sauce:

• 2 tbsp olive oil

• 1 tsp smoked paprika

• ½ tsp sweet paprika

• ½ tsp cayenne

• 1 tbsp flour

• ¾ cup chicken broth

• 1 tbsp tomato paste

• 1 tsp red wine vinegar

• Salt to taste

For the garlic aioli:

• ¼ cup mayo

• 1 small garlic clove, grated

• 1 tsp lemon juice

• 1 tsp olive oil

Instructions

1. Soak the potato cubes in cold water for 20 minutes to remove excess starch. Drain, pat dry, and fry in hot olive oil (about 350°F) until golden and crispy. Drain on paper towels and season with salt.

2. In a small pan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Stir in the smoked paprika, sweet paprika, and cayenne. Add the flour and cook for a minute, stirring constantly. Whisk in the broth, tomato paste, and vinegar. Simmer until thickened. Season with salt to taste.

3. Mix all the aioli ingredients in a bowl until smooth.

4. Drizzle the bravas sauce over the crispy potatoes, add a dollop of aioli and serve immediately.

THE BOARD: That “Tapas Bar” Plate

1 - CHEESE: Manchego (aged 3-months), Manchego (aged 6-months), Manchego (aged 8-months)

2 - MEAT: Iberico chorizo, serrano ham

3 - PRODUCE: Pepperoncini, assorted marinated olives, pimento peppers, dates

4 - CRUNCH: Baguette

5 - DIP: Extra virgin olive oil, fig jam

6 - GARNISH: Fresh rosemary, fresh thyme, carnations

PAIRINGS

• Manchego 3-month + serrano ham + fig jam: Tangy, salty, and sweet

• Manchego 6-month + Iberico chorizo + green olives: Robust, savory, and salty

• Manchego 8-month + dates + fig jam: Nutty, sweet, and herbaceous

After I decide what to serve, I take colors from the snacks themselves to create my mood board. We’re going with a Spanish tapas theme, with hues of red, yellow, green and tan.

• Terracotta Serving Dishes

• Candlesticks

• Candle Holder + Plate (Cheaper Options Here and Here)

• Tablecloth

• Cake Stand

• Flower Vase

• Tea Light Candles

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