Grilled Whole Sardines with Cabbage Salad

Experience the vibrant flavors of Baja Mexico with this grilled whole sardines dish that beautifully combines Mediterranean influences. The dish highlights the natural flavors of fresh sardines, savored alongside a zesty cabbage salad and deliciously smoked tomatoes.

Ingredients

🐟 3-4 whole sardines, fresh from local fish market
🧂 A pinch of salt
🌿 A pinch of ground fennel seed
🫒 Drizzle of olive oil, any high-quality brand
🍋 1-2 lemon slices per sardine
🌿 Fresh thyme sprigs
🥬 Handful of fresh cabbage, shredded
🍋 Lemon vinaigrette, store-bought or homemade
🍅 3-4 smoked tomatoes, halved

Instructions

1- Prepare the Sardines:

• Place whole sardines on a wire rack over a metal tray.
• Season with salt, ground fennel seed, and drizzle with olive oil.
• Add lemon slices and fresh thyme sprigs under and over the sardines.

2- Hot Smoke:

• Place the tray with sardines directly on a preheated wood-fired grill.
• Cover with another metal tray to create a "hot smoking" effect.

3- Grill:

• Remove the cover tray after smoking and continue grilling until the sardines are cooked through and slightly charred, about 5-7 minutes.

4- Prepare Cabbage Salad:

• In a bowl, toss shredded cabbage with refreshing lemon vinaigrette.

5- Plate:

• On a serving plate, create a bed of cabbage salad.
• Arrange the grilled sardines on top and garnish with smoked tomatoes and additional lemon slices if desired.
• Drizzle any remaining vinaigrette or cooking juices over the dish just before serving.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 2
Calories per Serving: ~300 calories
Proteins: 28g
Fats: 20g
Carbohydrates: 6g
Equipment:

• Custom-built wood-fired grill
• Standard metal grill grates
• Metal trays
• Wire rack

Cooking Tips

• Ensure the grill is well preheated to achieve that desirable crispy skin on the sardines.
• Covering the sardines for the smoking step helps infuse them efficiently with a smoky aroma without overcooking.

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Grilled Whole Sardines with Cabbage Salad