Grandmother’s tapas recipes will take you back to the old country

Spoilt for choice at Tapas Huset

 

A“Qué viva España,” sings Manolo Escobar, and I say: “Qué viva Tapas Huset” – THE SPOT to eat the very best Spanish tapas this city has to offer.

Best served with sherry …
Before hitting the road on J-Dag night to see Denmark launch the Christmas season, we stopped by at a Spanish corner to insert ourselves into the warmth of their food traditions and forget about the Nordic cold.

Staying truthful to the experience, we were advised by Alexandra, the manager, to try a variety of tapas. We agreed, as we wanted to experience a way of eating that dates back centuries and started uniquely in Andalucía, Spain.

It is known that in Spain, and maybe mostly in Andalucía, that people have dinner late (10pm). Many believe that tapas originated when working men stopped at the bar for a glass of sherry before heading home. Bartenders started the tendency of offering free snacks to go with the drink in order to attract more customers. Soon they were competing on who made the best offer. And that’s how it all started.

Or a sweet sangria
Indeed, eating tapas is different. It is that kind of food that invites you to have a nice conversation while you are nibbling on the different dishes, rather than sitting down to a heavy meal. But don’t be fooled, because you will soon get full!

Instead of ordering sherry we opted for jar of sweet sangría. The chilled drink typically found on the Spanish coasts is made from red wine and chopped fruit such as oranges, lemons, apples and peaches. It took our tastebuds to a summer that we miss and long for.

Spanish specialties galore

IMG_2088IMG_2135IMG_2138IMG_2174

We started off with ‘pan con tomate’, a classic in every Spanish kitchen. Delicious bread with tomato pulp and olive oil, it reminded me of those breakfasts with my sister when I visited her in Madrid.
It was soon followed by a flood of dishes, including the ‘empanadas gallegas de carne’ (meat patties), which came with a spicy sauce to dip in; ‘queso frito’ (fried cheese) with sweet sauce; ‘calamares a la andaluza’ (calamari) with a onion sauce that was heavenly; dates wrapped in bacon; artichokes with Spanish ham covered in a creamy home dressing; and grilled shrimps soaked in garlic and chilli. Every one of them was delightful!

Last, we couldn’t leave without trying some Spanish dessert: Torrija with cinnamon and vanilla ice cream topped with crunchy caramel. Sweet but not too cloying, it was the perfect end to our night.

Although the menu has lots of main Spanish dishes that you can opt for, I recommend the tapas experience. And if you are not sure which ones to pick, they make it easy for you as the set menu is a selection of the best ones. You don’t have to think, just enjoy!

Strong Spanish blood
Tapas Huset is a family business. Alexandra, the 24-year-old daughter of Mr Lacarta, the owner, remembers opening the door to greet the first customers when she was only 11 years old. “This restaurant – I have it in my heart,” she says. “We have loyal customers who have been coming regularly since 2001.”

The menu is based entirely on homemade recipes handed down by Yaya, her grandmother. “Everything is done homemade, from scratch,” she fondly remembers.

All grown up now, Alexandra runs the whole thing and she does it with the Spanish passion that runs in her blood, even though she is
half-Danish.

“I think it is one of the only authentic Spanish tapas restaurants in Copenhagen. We have been trying to make it true to Spanish cuisine, without mixing any Nordic influence. We don’t want fancy – we want to keep it old-school.”

With décor typical of an old Spanish villa, this is reflected in the surroundings.

This señorita is returning
As our night was coming to an end and our sangria glasses emptying, one of the waiters approached the table next to us with a big pan. The delicate aroma filled the room. It looked scrumptious.

“Wow! What’s that?” we asked with curiosity.

“That’s the paella. You must come back and try it!” enthused Alexandra. “Trust me Chef Pepino’s paella is the best – it’s truly Valenciana.”

So I guess next time, when I visit my new Spanish amor, I will share a paella.




  • Today is 10 years from Copenhagen terrorist attack

    Today is 10 years from Copenhagen terrorist attack

    On February 14 and 15, the last terrorist attack took place in Denmark. Another episode occurred in 2022, but in that case, there was no political motive behind it

  • Enter Christiania: how the Freetown works

    Enter Christiania: how the Freetown works

    We all know Christiania and have been there at least once. But how does the Freetown work? How are decisions made? Can a person move there? Is there rent or bills to pay? British journalist Dave Wood wrote a reportage on Christiania for The Copenhagen Post.

  • The struggles of Asian women in Denmark’s labour market

    The struggles of Asian women in Denmark’s labour market

    Isha Thapa unfolds her research “An Analysis on the Inclusivity and Integration of South Asian Women in High-Skilled Jobs within the Danish Labor Market”. Thapa describes the systemic and social challenges these women face, ranging from barriers in social capital to cultural integration.

  • Parents in Denmark reject social media monitoring 

    Parents in Denmark reject social media monitoring 

    Most parents in Denmark reject using social media parental controls despite knowing about them. A new study questions the effectiveness of these tools in ensuring children’s online safety.

  • Analysis: we need a different education system for international children in Denmark

    Analysis: we need a different education system for international children in Denmark

    Data analyst Kelly Draper Rasmussen highlights that Denmark sees peaks in international migration during early childhood and high school years. However, with only one international education option, many families are forced to leave to secure different opportunities for their children.

  • Danish Refugee Council to lay off up to 2,000 staff

    Danish Refugee Council to lay off up to 2,000 staff

    After the anticipation from The Copenhagen Post, a press release by DRC has confirmed the plan to lay off thousands of employees in response to the recent halt of foreign aid spending by the Trump administration.