Grilled Sardines w/ Preserved Lemon Relish
Makes 2 Servings
Preserved Lemon - Must be prepared at least 4 weeks in advance (but preserved lemon can be purchased)
Ingredients
Preserved Lemon
- 1 lemon, cut into quarters
- glass jar
- salt
- fresh lemon juice
Lemon Relish
- ¼ of 1 preserved lemon, diced
- ¼ tsp garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp tomato, diced
- 2 tbsp roasted bell pepper, diced
- 1 tsp parsley, coarsely chopped
- ½ tsp mint, finely chopped
- 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tsp sherry wine vinegar
- ¼ tsp (about 7-10) saffron threads, crushed
- pinch of salt
- pinch of sugar
- pinch of black pepper
Sardines
- 4 medium sardines
- 1 tsp olive oil
- salt
- pepper
How-to
Make Preserved Lemon
- Cut 1 whole lemon into quarters and coat with salt. Cover with lemon juice, enough to cover the lemon wedges
- Seal the jar and refrigerate 4-6 weeks before using
Prepare Lemon Relish
- Combine all relish ingredients in a non-reactive bowl. Allow saffron to bloom and flavors to come together (about 1 hour). Taste for seasoning and adjust to taste. Set aside
Grill Sardines & Serve
- Prepare a charcoal grill or heat a grill pan to medium high heat
- Clean, rinse and pat dry the sardines. Brush each sardine with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Oil the grill grates or grill pan and grill sardines for 3 minutes on each side. Sardines are finished when the skin easily peels away and the flesh becomes flaky
- Garnish with Lemon Relish and serve either hot or at room temperature