Chorizo in Red Wine Tapas Recipe

This delicious recipe is always a treat and makes a great snack or appetizer.  Tapas are a fantastic Spanish invention that originated in Andalusia and is the name given to the practice of serving tempting, small portions of different dishes and tasty delicacies to patrons who move from tavern to tavern sampling different morsels at many venues and enjoying wine, revelry and good company.  (Trust the Spanish to know how to do things.)  Today Tapas Bars are popping up all over and are very popular here in Australia.  This recipe requires overnight marinating so don't forget to start on it the day before you next entertain.

Image: Chorizo in Red Wine Tapas by S. Hensley Copyright Orsons Retro

Chorizo in red wine
Serves 6

200 g Chorizo Sausage
200 ml Red Wine (Spanish wine to be authentic)
Parsley chopped fine for garnishing

Step 1
Prick the chorizo with a fork in 4 places.  Add to a large saucepan with the wine and bring to the boil.  When boiling turn heat down to a simmer and cover.  Simmer for around 20 minutes. 

Step 2
Place the chorizo and wine from the saucepan into a bowl and cover.  Marinate for at least 8 hours but overnight is best. 

Step 3
Remove the chorizo from the bowl and reserve the wine.  Remove the outer casing of the chorizo and slice it into small 1/4 inch pieces. 

Step 4
In a frying pan add the chorizo and wine and cook on high heat until most of the wine has evaporated and chorizo heated through well.  Serve the chorizo in the remaining small amount of wine in a bowl garnished with the parsley and accompanied by cocktail sticks for easy eating.  Enjoy. 
Hints:  I have a great recipe book called Easy Tapas published by Parragon Books Ltd that has a similar recipe though they add 2 tablespoons of brandy in step 4.  Then they gently heat and set it alight before then continuing with the rest of the steps.  I haven't tried this but it sounds like it could really add some flavor and showmanship to the cooking of this dish.  Also crusty bread goes amazingly well with this dish as does a glass of Spanish red wine or I have found a good quality beer is an ideal offset to the spiciness of the sausage.

Do you have a favorite tapas recipe?  We would love to know what it is, please feel free to add your recipe in the comments section.