Humble tins of sardines in oil become the stars of an elegant, quick appetiser thanks to chef Jesús Sánchez, who holds three Michelin stars and leads El Cenador de Amós in Cantabria. In just 30 seconds and without turning on the heat, Sánchez shows that with just a few ingredients you can create an attractive, tasty bite: all you need is a tin of sardines, a gherkin, a few rings of pickled onion and a touch of mayonnaise.
The chef calls this idea “Latin cuisine”, a nod to tinned preserves, and presents it as a montadito inspired by traditional pintxos. The gherkin serves as the base and tangy wrapper, while the mayonnaise adds creaminess and the piparra provides a slightly spicy touch. The pickled onion, easy to prepare at home, adds sweetness and acidity, rounding out the flavour.
Beyond flavour, canned sardines stand out for their nutritional value: rich in high-biological-value protein, omega-3, calcium, and vitamins B and D, with the advantage of requiring no refrigeration and having a long shelf life. Combined with pickles, they make a balanced, healthy, quick appetiser—perfect for light dinners or last-minute snacking.
With this recipe, Jesús Sánchez shows that haute cuisine can also adapt to the simplicity of the pantry, transforming an affordable, everyday ingredient into a dish worthy of serving to guests.
