Description
Smoky grilled sardine fillets served over garlic-rubbed sourdough with a fresh tomato, red onion, caper, parsley, and lemon topping. It is quick, vibrant, and packed with rich coastal flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 fresh sardine fillets, about 500 g
- 4 thick slices sourdough bread
- 200 g cherry tomatoes, halved and finely chopped
- 1/2 small red onion, finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, 1 finely grated and 1 halved
- 1 tablespoon capers, drained and chopped
- 2 tablespoons flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped
- 1 whole lemon, zested and juiced
- 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon chili flakes
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt, or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, or to taste
Instructions
- Heat a grill pan, griddle, or barbecue over medium-high heat. Prepare a toaster or grill for the bread.
- In a bowl, mix the cherry tomatoes, red onion, grated garlic clove, capers, parsley, lemon zest, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1/4 teaspoon sea salt, and a few twists of black pepper. Set aside.
- Pat the sardine fillets dry. In a small bowl, mix the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil with the smoked paprika, chili flakes, remaining 1/4 teaspoon sea salt, and the black pepper. Brush or rub this mixture over the sardine fillets.
- Toast the sourdough until deeply golden and crisp. Rub one side of each hot slice with the cut side of the halved garlic clove.
- Place the sardine fillets skin-side down on the hot grill pan or barbecue. Cook for 2 minutes, then turn carefully and cook for 1 to 2 minutes more, until lightly charred and just cooked through.
- Spoon the tomato mixture over the toast. Top each slice with 3 sardine fillets and finish with extra lemon juice if desired.
- Serve immediately while the toast is crisp and the sardines are warm.
Notes
- Toast the bread well so it stays crisp under the juicy topping.
- Do not overcook the sardines, they only need a few minutes.
- The tomato topping can be made up to 8 hours ahead and chilled.
- Green olives can be used instead of capers.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 toast
- Calories: 390
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 430 mg
- Fat: 23 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg
Keywords: grilled sardines on toast, barbecue style sardines, sardine toast, smoky sardines, quick seafood toast