Final answer:
The answer identifies that the option suggesting 'canapes' as a base for canapés is incorrect, since canapés themselves are a type of appetizer and not a component used to create other canapés. Thus, the misleading option in the question is clarified, and the base for canapés is explained.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question asks which of the following is not used as a base for canapés. To answer this question, we first need to understand what a canapé is. A canapé is a type of hors d'oeuvre or a small, prepared and usually decorative food, consisting of a small piece of bread, puff pastry, or a cracker topped with some savory food, held in the fingers and often eaten in one bite.
From the options provided:
- Canapés themselves are the food item in question, so they cannot serve as their own base.
- Hors d'oeuvres are a general category of small appetizers or starters, of which canapés are a part.
- A petite salad is typically a small serving of salad, which may accompany a meal or serve as a light dish but is not typically used as a base for canapés.
- Relishes include sauces and seasonings that accompany food, not a base for other items.
Therefore, the correct answer is a) Canapés. The question contains a misleading option because canapés themselves cannot be a base for canapés, which is a preparatory component for such appetizers.