E x p l o r e t h e w o r l d. B r i n g i t s b e a u t y h o m e.
Some cookies are needed to make this site work. With your permission, we'd also like to use cookies to see how people use the site and to show relevant ads and travel deals. You can change your mind at any time using the "Cookie settings" button. Read more in our Policy.
Your browser is sending a "do not sell or share" signal, so advertising cookies are off by default.
E x p l o r e t h e w o r l d. B r i n g i t s b e a u t y h o m e.
One of the little pleasures of visiting northern Spain is discovering pintxos (pronounced peen-chos). These small bites are traditionally served in bars, often arranged along the counter for customers to choose. A slice of crusty bread might be topped with Spanish ham, cheese, seafood, roasted peppers or olives, with endless combinations to enjoy.
There is no single recipe to follow – the fun is in mixing fresh ingredients and creating your own little taste of Spain.
Pintxos are small snacks associated particularly with the Basque Country and other regions of northern Spain. The name comes from the Spanish word pinchar, meaning to prick or pierce, referring to the little wooden stick traditionally used to hold some pintxos together.
Unlike one particular dish with a set recipe, pintxos are a way of presenting food. Some are served on bread, while others are small portions of seafood, vegetables or meat arranged on a skewer or plate.
They are often enjoyed with a glass of wine or another drink as part of the lively Spanish bar tradition.
Discover: Spain – Your Travel Guide…
These five combinations are easy to prepare and make a lovely selection for a lunch platter, a casual gathering or a Spanish-inspired evening.
Ingredients:
4 small slices of crusty baguette
4 thin slices of Spanish cured ham (jamón serrano)
4 slices of Manchego cheese
Olive oil
Fresh parsley (optional)
Method:
Lightly brush the bread with olive oil.
Arrange a slice of Manchego cheese on each piece.
Add a folded slice of Spanish ham.
Finish with a little parsley and secure with a cocktail stick if desired.
Ingredients:
200 g peeled prawns
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
2 tablespoons olive oil
A squeeze of lemon juice
Salt and black pepper
4 small slices of toasted baguette
Fresh parsley
Method:
Heat the olive oil in a frying pan.
Add the garlic and cook briefly until fragrant.
Add the prawns and cook until pink and cooked through.
Season with salt, pepper and lemon juice.
Spoon the prawns onto the toasted bread and finish with parsley.
Ingredients:
4 small slices of baguette
1 roasted red pepper, cut into strips
4 anchovy fillets
Olive oil
A few fresh parsley leaves
Method:
Toast the bread lightly.
Arrange the roasted pepper strips on each slice.
Add an anchovy fillet on top.
Drizzle with a little olive oil and garnish with parsley.
Ingredients:
4 small slices of crusty bread
8 slices of Spanish chorizo
8 pitted green olives
4 small cubes of Manchego cheese
Olive oil
Method:
Lightly toast the bread and brush with olive oil.
Arrange two slices of chorizo on each piece.
Add a cube of Manchego cheese.
Secure a green olive on top with a cocktail stick.
Ingredients:
4 small slices of baguette
1 ripe tomato
4 slices of Manchego cheese
1 small garlic clove
Olive oil
Fresh basil leaves
Method:
Toast the bread until lightly golden.
Cut the garlic clove in half and rub the cut side over the warm toast.
Grate the tomato or finely chop it, then spoon it onto the bread.
Add a slice of Manchego cheese.
Drizzle with olive oil and finish with a basil leaf.
Pintxos are a lovely reminder that good food does not have to be complicated. A little crusty bread, a few fresh ingredients and some imagination can create a table full of Spanish-inspired bites. Put together a selection, invite a few friends and enjoy your own little pintxos evening at home.
Arrange your pintxos on a large wooden board or serving platter. Mix the different colours and toppings so that each little bite looks inviting.
A few simple serving ideas:
Serve them freshly prepared while the bread is still crisp.
Offer a mixture of meat, seafood, cheese and vegetable toppings.
Add a bowl of olives and a few roasted peppers to the platter.
Use small wooden cocktail sticks to hold the toppings together.
Serve as a starter, light lunch or informal party food.
Spain is a country of beautiful coastlines, lively towns, wonderful food and long, sunny afternoons. In the north, close to the French border, lies San Sebastián (Donostia), one of Spain’s most appealing seaside cities. Set along the beautiful Bay of Biscay, it is famous for its sweeping La Concha Beach, elegant waterfront, excellent food and little pintxos bars, where you can enjoy a taste of local life one delicious bite at a time.
Read more about the beautiful San Sebastian as a travel destination … and discover beautiful places to visit and a few insider travel tips.
One of the nicest ways to enjoy northern Spain is to pop into a local bar and try a few pintxos. Look along the counter, choose the little bites that catch your eye, and enjoy them with a drink. It’s relaxed, sociable and a delicious way to taste local flavours.
