Fish and Seafood Recipes - Spicy Fried Sardines Recipe

Ingredients

Serve 4

• oil, for deep-frying

• 125 g/4 oz plain flour

• 750 g/1 1/2 lb large, fresh sardines, scaled, cleaned and gutted

• 4 tablespoons olive oil

• 5 shallots, sliced

• 125 ml/4 fl oz white wine vinegar

• 4 garlic cloves, crushed and chopped

• large handful of mint leaves, finely chopped

• grated rind and juice of 1 lemon

• 1/2 teaspoon crushed dried chilies

• salt and pepper

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Method:

1. Heat the oil for deep-frying to 180-190°C (350-375°F) or until a cube of bread browns in 30 seconds.

2. Season the flour with salt and pepper. Dip the sardines into the seasoned flour and fry in the hot oil for 2 minutes, or until golden.

3. Remove and place on a tray lined with kitchen paper to absorb the excess oil. Keep warm.

4. Heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil in a saucepan. Add the shallots and fry over a low heat for 5 minutes, then add the vinegar and cook until nearly half of it has evaporated.

5. Transfer the sardines to a warmed serving dish. Add the remaining olive oil, the garlic, mint, lemon rind and juice and chilies to the shallot mixture and cook for 1 minute.

6. Spoon the sauce over the sardines and season to taste with salt and pepper. This dish can be served hot or at room temperature.