Treat your guests to salty nibbles that leave them hungry for more

Ixta Belfrage, whose debut book Mezcla was released this month, is also a big fan of tinned fish.

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What easy snacks can I serve with pre-dinner drinks that won't fill people up?

Ella, Nottingham, England

Drinks without snacks is criminal behaviour but so, too, is spoiling your dinner. "Little salty things that can be done in advance are what you want," says chef Robin Gill, whose latest ventures include Paris-inspired wine bar Bottle & Rye in south London. "The secret is that they're handheld, fun and not too fussy." The Basque pintxo gildas - anchovies, big green olives ("quite spicy ones") and pickled green chilli on cocktail sticks - fit the bill perfectly: "They're absolutely gorgeous with an Aperol spritz, sherry or beer."