Appetizer ideas with canned food to surprise your guests

An impromptu dinner, a get-together with friends, a family Sunday lunch… any option is good to prepare delicious appetizers with little effort thanks to the infinite possibilities that canned food offers. Quality preserves only need to open the can to enjoy their incredible flavor.
But if you are looking for ideas to surprise your guests at a gourmet lunch or dinner without spending hours in the kitchen, or you want to offer them a different appetizer that will make their mouths water, then don’t miss our selection of the simplest and most original appetizers made with preserves.

Cockles in brine

We start with one of the most emblematic preserves of Galician gastronomy: cockles in their natural state.
The secret of a good cockle lies in its freshness, its size and its salty and delicate flavor.
To prepare an appetizer with cockles in their natural state, just open the can, drain the water and serve the cockles on a plate or tray.
If you want to add a touch of flavor, you can add a squeeze of lemon or a pinch of chopped parsley.
Serve them fresh, not cold… And if you dare with something more elaborated, these AROMATIZED CRABSTARS from Cocinaconpoco.com, are spectacular.
To prepare them, mix in a bowl 1 teaspoon of grated fresh ginger, 2 tablespoons of EVOO, 1 tablespoon of lemon juice and half a small grated garlic.
Stir well and add the drained cockles.
Mix and serve in spoons decorated with a fresh basil leaf.
In porcelain spoons, we distribute the cockles flavored, and on these some small leaves of fresh basil.

In Casa Ballester we offer you a selection of the best brands of cockles best brands of cocklesmade with the best products and following traditional preservation techniques.

Pickled mussels

Mussels in escabeche are one of the most popular appetizers in Spanish gastronomy.
Escabeche is a preserving technique that consists of cooking the mussels with vinegar, oil and a combination of spices and aromatic herbs.
The result is a tasty and flavorful preserve.
To prepare an appetizer with pickled mussels, simply open the can, drain the liquid and serve the mussels on a plate or tray.
If you want to add a touch of flavor, you can add a pinch of paprika.
If you are looking for a spicier and tastier appetizer, you can accompany the mussels with a homemade aioli.
To prepare it, mix chopped garlic, egg yolk, olive oil and salt in a mortar or food processor.
When ready, add a spoonful on top of each mussel and garnish with some chopped parsley.
This appetizer balances the strong, acidic flavor of the mussels with the creaminess and smooth taste of the homemade aioli.
And if you like a challenge you can prepare MEJILLONES EN TEMPURA and accompany them with a homemade mayonnaise with a spicy touch or the homemade aioli of the previous recipe.
You will leave everyone speechless!

At Casa Ballester, we offer you a selection of the best pickled best pickled musselsmade with fresh ingredients and tasty pickled mussels elaborated with the unique recipes of each brand.

Natural clams

Natural clams are another of the most popular canned products in Spanish gastronomy.
Quality fresh clams are hard to come by all year round, but thanks to gourmet canned food, we can enjoy them at any time.
For a simple appetizer with fresh clams, just open the can, drain the liquid and serve the clams, which can be flavored with a dash of EVOO or a few coriander leaves, if you want to give them more intensity.
This appetizer is ideal for those who prefer fresh and light flavors, reminiscent of ceviches.

At Casa Ballester, we offer a careful selection of the best brands of clams. best brands of clams clams from the Galician Rias.

Razor clams in scallop sauce

Razor clams are a gourmet canned food less known than the previous ones, but just as delicious and very appreciated by canning lovers.
Razor clams are mollusks with a firm and tasty meat, which keep all their flavor and quality with artisan canning techniques.
Although razor clams are tasty on their own, they can become a real delicacy if they are given an extra touch of flavor with a scallop sauce.
To prepare this appetizer, simply drain the razor clams and heat them in a pan with a little olive oil.
Meanwhile, prepare the scallop sauce in another pan.
To do so, sauté a chopped shallot with a little butter and add white wine and fish stock.
Then add the scallops and let the sauce simmer until it reduces and becomes thick.
When the razor clams are ready, simply add the scallop sauce on top and garnish with some chopped parsley.
Serve hot and enjoy the delicious combination of flavors from the sea.

At Casa Ballester, we offer you a wide range of canned razor clams from leading brands that produce their canned products with fresh seafood from the Galician estuaries and coasts.

Gourmet canned food is an excellent option to prepare a delicious, original and easy to prepare appetizer to entertain your guests.
At Casa Ballester you will find a careful selection of the highest quality preserves from the Spanish coasts, made with fresh products and selected with the care of canning artisans.
Choose your favorite preserves in the online store and give your guests appetizers to enjoy in every bite!