Tuna Baskets

Tuna baskets are a delightful way to create small, tasty appetizers and they are very simple to prepare. Here’s the recipe for making them:

Ingredients

• 1 roll of ready-made brisée dough (or puff pastry)
• 200 g of oil-packed tuna, drained
• 2 tablespoons of mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon of chopped capers
• Some chopped black olives (optional)
• 1 egg for brushing the dough (optional)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Chopped chives for garnish (optional)

Preparation

1. Start by preheating the oven to 180 °C.
2. Roll out the brisée dough and with a pastry cutter or a glass, cut out circles suitable for placing them into the muffin or cupcake molds that you will use to form the baskets.
3. Lightly butter the molds and then place the circles of brisée dough inside them, making sure the dough adheres to the sides of the molds to give the shape of baskets.
4. If you prefer, brush the surface of the baskets with a beaten egg to obtain a more golden color during baking.
5. Bake the molds for about 10-15 minutes or until the dough is golden and crispy.
6. Meanwhile, in a bowl mix the well-drained oil-packed tuna with mayonnaise, adding the chopped capers, the chopped olives (if you are using them), salt, and pepper to taste.
7. Once done, take the baskets out of the oven and let them cool slightly before gently removing them from the molds.
8. Fill each little basket with the prepared tuna mixture.
9. Garnish with chopped chives or other fresh herbs of your choice for a touch of color and freshness.
10. Serve the tuna baskets as an appetizer or aperitif.

Curiosity

Tuna baskets are a versatile preparation that you can customize in various ways. Try adding a bit of lemon juice for a fresher flavor or a bit of mustard for a spicy twist. This appetizer is a classic in Italian cuisine even with variations, such as the addition of cherry tomatoes or pickled vegetables.