I love sardines, but hubby doesn't so I eat 'em when he's not around. I mean really, what a sook :-) I used to eat these often in my childhood, and I really liked the ones in tomato sauce. Yep, I know, ironic since I'm not a huge tomato fan. I also used to love those tiny lambs' tongues that came in a can. I was the only one of the four siblings who ate such things. My sister was a vegetarian when she came out of the womb, and still is, all these years later.
This recipe is from The Artists' and Writers' Cookbook, edited by Natalie Eve Garrett. Simon Rich is the author of this one; no idea who he is. I think I've mentioned before that I don't know any of the afore-mentioned artists and writers, so it's all a bit Greek to me. And the recipes are ... well, odd to say the least. Oh, I see now: he is a writer of humour, short stories and novels. Well, I guess this 'recipe' was a bit of a joke, though he swears he loved it when his grandparents made it for him.
 |
| "you shall have a fishy on a little dishy" La la la ... |
Serves 1:
ingredients:
1 English muffin (I used wholemeal)
a dollop of mustard (I used homemade whole grain), to taste
1 can of sardines (he used King Oscar), in extra virgin olive oil
1 red/Spanish onion, finely chopped - but you won't need much
a wee bit of ground black pepper and a small squeeze of lemon juice - optional - my idea
a sprinkle of fresh parsley and chives, finely chopped (optional, also my idea)
Method:
Toast the muffin
Spread mustard (sparingly unless you love it) over both halves
Lay the sardines over the mustard
Now throw on the onion (and add the pepper and lemon juice if using), then sprinkle greenly with parsley and chives
Notes:
Simon says (ha ha) that his tin of sardines holds 12 little fishies; I used Spanish organic sardines (120g./4 oz) which were deliciously plump and mild in flavour and not too salty! And gave the perfect amount of fishy business
This is ideal for a quick lunch for one; you can add more herbs, or some greenery, or some preserved lemon, or radish, whatever takes your fancy. Oddly, while going through some previous posts this week, I noticed I had made a very similar dish a year ago! - sardines and preserved lemon on toast. What a co-incidence. Anyway, this is a tangy, salty, fishy brunch or lunch dish. Enjoy with a shot of vodka :-) Well, maybe not at lunchtime. And here's to the eighth year of my blog which was on 6 May!
 |
| gather your ingredients |
 |
| on go the mustard and plump sardines |
 |
| sprinkle with onion and pepper and herbs |
 |
| © Sherry M. |
Sardines are so good for us...lots of omega-3 and budget friendly. My husband is not a fan either. I told him that he should eat for the health at his age!
ReplyDeleteThis makes a simple yet very yummy lunch, Sherry.
very true angie. what is it with men and fish? :-) tee hee ...
ReplyDeleteSuch a treat when we get our own little lunch to eat whatever we want!
ReplyDeleteyes indeedy kelly :)
DeleteHappy 8 years! This looks like a great lunch. Like the idea of the mustard and red onion. Not sure I've ever had a sardine sandwich -- I usually make pasta dishes with them. Need to give this a try. :-)
ReplyDeletethanks KR. that 8 years has flown by. i remember starting my blog and not having a clue ...
DeleteOh, this is lovely. My husband can't even handle when I open a can of tuna, let alone sardines or kipper snacks. I would have to eat this when he's gone, as well!
ReplyDeletetee hee - the smell would send him away then:-)
DeleteMy husband is a sardine eater. The red onion would probably be something he would eat with it too..We keep lots of cans in the pantry...
ReplyDeletethese Spanish sardines really were the best i've ever eaten, and worth it.
DeleteI quite like sardines every now and again and this recipe sounds tasty - even if the author meant it as a joke.
ReplyDeletei think he really did eat this as a child but it's just a bit funny. you have to get really good sardines tho.
DeleteVery good recipe, actually I love sardines, but I never thought about such presentation. I should try for a tapas night next time :)
ReplyDeleteyep give it a go!
DeleteI think the red onion is perfect with these sardines. I have no doubt I'd love this.
ReplyDeleteyes the red onion does give it some zing!
DeleteI adore sardines and have finally converted my husband. He adds onions and mustard. I eat them the way my mom made them: butter your bread and mash the sardines into the butter. It's still my favorite sardine sandwich!
ReplyDeleteyes i like sardines mashed into butter too but these are great for a change.
DeleteI love everything about this Sherry! My first sardine experience was in sandwiches (on a picnic) in Morocco — they were in tomato sauce as you described. Loved them immediately, and know I will love these open face sandwiches!
ReplyDeletethanks david. yep these are good; very zingy!
DeleteThat's funny - vegetarina since coming out of the womb! I have gone complete vegetarian for years every now and then. Sometimes for health. Not right now though.
ReplyDeleteI like how you had this on English muffins.
yes the muffins were fab with this. i really love the wholemeal ones.
DeleteHappy Bloggy Birthday - hope 8 is great! I love sardines on toast but haven't had them for years. I'm a bit of a purist and like the toast well done, slathered with butter and then topped with some squished sardines. Just thinking about it is making my mouth water!
ReplyDeletethanks sammie. those 8 years went soooo fast. i agree about the sardines but the mustard and onion really add a great flavour.
DeleteHappy 8th blogiversary, Sherry! That's a fun one! So I'm not a big sardines kinda guy, either. Mr. P and I would get along well on that front. However, I can see how this is a tasty (and easy) lunch recipe. Lambs' tongues, though? Are those a thing??
ReplyDeletethank you david. yep lambs' tongues. can you believe? i wouldn't eat them now. those poor little lambs! i don't even know if you can buy them now.
DeleteMr NQN was the same about sardines and tinned fish and then recently he started to like them and then would offer to polish off the tins! Happy 8th blogsoversary Sherry! May there be many more :D
ReplyDeletewow i don't think my hubby would ever be converted:) thanks!
DeleteSardines are so good - I used to eat them a lot in my childhood too, and my favourite was in tomatoe sauce! :) Definitely wouldn't mind this right now - I'd just swap a muffin for a toasted rye bread.
ReplyDeletehi ben
Deleteyou don't often see them in tomato sauce anymore. or maybe i haven't looked. but the muffins are great!
Ohh interesting, I use sardines on bread too but the ones I always utilise is the tomato based sardines and sometimes I add some mayo on it too.
ReplyDeleteMayo? that's interesting. i haven't tried that before.
DeleteThis sounds like a James Beard kind of dish, I still remember his essay on onion sandwiches. I had smoked herring on toast for lunch today, with raw red onion and some mayo. It was quite good and no one else was interested.
ReplyDeletesmoked herring? I don't think i've tried them. ONion and mayo sound good additions.
Delete