Budget-Friendly Tapas With Boquiera's Seamus Mullen

Seamus Mullen, partner and chef of of Boqueria and Suba Restaurants, was here with budget friendly tapas.

He's also promoting the New York Wine & Food Festival, which kicks off tonight and runs through Sunday, October 12. On Sunday, Mullen will be part of the event's Grand Tasting.

For more information about the Wine & Food Festival, visit www.nycwineandfoodfestival.com.

VIDEO AND PICTURES AFTER THE JUMP...

Pintxos Morunos

Pintxos Morunos (Grilled lamb marinated in cumin, lemon and saffron)
Makes 4 servings
Ingredients:
10 oz top round lamb, cut into bite-size pieces, $6.87 ($10.99 per lb)
For Marinade:
2 cups olive oil, $4.75 ($9.99 per L)
Pinch of saffron, $0.25 ($6.99 per .5gram)
1 tbsp smoked Spanish paprika, $0.31 ($4.99 per 8oz)
1 tbsp mint, chopped, $1.50 ($2.99 bunch)
1 garlic clove, minced, $0.11 ($10.99 for 500gr)
1 jalapeno pepper, finely diced, $0.40 ($3.99 per lbs)
1 tbsp sherry vinegar, $0.75 ($18.99 for 375mL)
.5 cup lemon juice, $1.20 ($2.99 per 10oz)
1 tbsp ground cumin seed, $0.41 ($5.99 for 7.25oz)
Total: $16.55

Procedure:
For Marinade:
Combine all ingredients in a bowl and mix well.

For Skewers:
1. Marinate lamb overnight in the refrigerator
2. Heat a large heavy bottomed skillet until hot; reduce heat to medium
3. Skewer cubes and sear over medium heat for 1 minute on each side, or until desired doneness
4. Serve with coarse sea salt.

Pan con Tomate

Pan con Tomate (Traditional Spanish bread)
Makes 4 servings
Ingredients:
1 baguette, halved lengthwise and cut into 4" pieces, $2.29 ($2.29 a loaf)
2 beefsteak tomatoes, halved through the waist, $0.62 ($2.49 a lbs)
1 clove of garlic, peeled and halved, $0.11 ($10.99 for 500gr)
¼ cup extra virgin olive oil, $0.59 ($9.99 for 1L)
Total: $3.61

Procedure:
1. Toast the bread and rub with the cut side of the garlic clove
2. Then rub with ½ a tomato to cover
3. Drizzle with oil, sprinkle with course sea salt and serve.

Bikini de Jamón y Queso

Bikini de Jamón y Queso (Grilled ham and cheese sandwich)
Makes 4 servings
Ingredients:
2 slices sourdough Pullman loaf (or sandwich bread of choice), $0.67 ($4.99 loaf)
½ cup finely grated Mahón cheese (or favorite cheese), $2.95 ($5.89 8oz)
3 thin slices of Serrano Ham (or prosciutto or other cured ham), $5.06 ($26.99/lbs)
2 T extra virgin olive oil, $0.30 ($9.99 for 1L)
Total: $8.98

Procedure:
1. Layer the cheese and ham between the bread slices
2. Heat 1 T oil in a cast iron pan over med-high heat until the oil skids across the pan
3. Toast the sandwich on both sides to melt cheese
4. Cut into 4 triangles and serve