Baked Sardines

We are having a right old struggle getting hold of fresh mackerel from our fish supplier at the moment. So as an alternative we have been buying fresh sardines. The sardines have actually been working out far more cost effective but they are a little on the fiddly side. This recipe makes a great evening meal that is not only healthy but is also very tasty.

For this simple dish you will need:

• ·         Fresh sardines (About 3 or 4 per person depending on size)
• ·         Garlic
• ·          Red onion
• ·         Lemon
• ·         Rosemary
• ·         Thyme

Preparation is simple. Preheat the oven to 220 degrees. Depending on where you get your fish from they may need gutting, once gutted, season well with sea salt and cracked black pepper.

Place the sardines in an oven proof dish along with the crushed garlic and finely chopped red onion. Squeeze over the juice of the lemon then leave the lemon flesh in the oven proof dish with the fish. Finally add the chopped herbs. Stick it in the oven and leave for 20-25 minutes depending on the size of your fish. The skin should be lovely and crispy and the flesh falling from the bone.

We serve this dish simply with rice and rocket salad or in smaller portions as part of a mixed fish platter.