LSmall fish, big flavor. Tins of silvery sardines marinated in oil or tomatoes make a filling dinner, whether left whole, chopped or mashed into pasta or traybakes, or served over freshly boiled rice or a slice of toast (with tomatoes and onions, for example). And their strong umami flavor means they don’t need much to pack the right punch, whether in a sauce like today’s puttanesca to spoon over polenta (or pasta) or folded through a salad.
Sardine and celery salad (top photo)
Sardines and celery make a great combination in this salad, but you can also bulk it up by substituting jarred white beans or cooked grains for the lettuce.
prep 15 minutes
serve 2
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon whole grain mustard
Zest and Juice ½ lemon
1 small clove of garlic, peeled and trampled
1 small handful of chopped chives
1 small handful of tarragon, finely chopped
2 teaspoons capersdrainage
salt and pepper
3 celerychopped
120 g tinned sardines in olive oildrainage
1 handful of lettuce leaves
In a large bowl, combine oil, mustard, lemon zest and juice, garlic, chives, tarragon, and capers. Season generously, then mix in the celery, sardines, and lettuce leaves. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.
Sardine Puttanesca with Polenta
Canned sardines replace traditional anchovies in this hearty meal that makes good use of store cupboard ingredients.
prep 10 minutes
cook 35 minutes
serve 2
2 95 g cans of sardines in olive oil
1 red onionPeel and chop finely.
2 cloves of garlicPeel and chop finely.
½ red pepper, chopped
400g chopped tomatoes
1 tablespoon tomato puree
salt and pepper
40 g pitted black oliveshalve
1 tablespoon capersdrainage
500ml stockor water
Quick Cook Polenta 125g
15g butter
1 small handful of fresh oregano umbrage
Pour the oil from one of the sardine cans into a pan, heat over medium heat, add the red onion and cook, stirring, until soft, about 10 minutes.
Add garlic, chilli, chopped tomatoes, tomato puree and 100ml water, season and simmer for 15 minutes until thickened. Add the drained sardines, olives, and capers and cook for another 5 minutes.
Bring the stock (or water) to a boil, lower the heat and add the polenta, stirring constantly.
Continue stirring for a few minutes until the dish pulls away from the sides of the pan, then stir in the butter.
Top the polenta with the sardine puttanesca and sprinkle with fresh oregano.
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This recipe is an edited extract from Store Cupboard Genius: 200 Clever Recipes to Transform Forgotten Ingredients by Anna Berrill and published by Thames & Hudson, £19.99. To order a copy for £17.99, go to guardianbookshop.com.