Sardines escabeche

Name: Sardines escabeche
Cook time: 30 min
Cuisine: Spanish
Ingredients: 500ml olive oil; 2 small spanish onions, finely sliced; 2 garlic cloves, finely sliced; 2 bay leaves; Salt; Freshly ground white pepper; 1 carrot, peeled and sliced; 2 sprigs thyme; 1 pinch saffron threads; 50ml white-wine vinegar; 12 sardines, butterflied; Vegetable oil

jane and Jeremy Strode

October 18, 2011

Time:< 30 mins

A version of this method appears in the cuisines of Spain, France, Italy and Algeria, to name a few. I first came across it in the south of France - Roger Verge served red mullet this way.

Ingredients

500ml olive oil
2 small spanish onions, finely sliced
2 garlic cloves, finely sliced
2 bay leaves
Salt
Freshly ground white pepper
1 carrot, peeled and sliced
2 sprigs thyme
1 pinch saffron threads
50ml white-wine vinegar
12 sardines, butterflied
Vegetable oil

Method

To make the marinade, warm olive oil in a saucepan. Add onions, garlic and bay leaves and season. Cook until soft, about 15 minutes. Add carrot, thyme and saffron. Cook until carrot is just cooked through. Add vinegar and remove from the heat. Allow to cool to room temperature. Fry sardines in hot vegetable oil for 30 seconds each side. Place in a shallow dish and pour over marinade. Leave for eight to 12 hours or overnight before serving.

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