Pan-Seared Sardines with Garlic and Herbs

Ingredients

• 10 pieces fresh sardines
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 pieces garlic cloves
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley
• 1 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 teaspoons salt
• 0.5 teaspoons black pepper

Cooking instructions

1. Prepare the sardines — Clean and gut the fresh sardines if not already done. Rinse under cold water and pat dry with paper towels.
2. Chop garlic and parsley — Peel and finely mince the garlic cloves. Chop the fresh parsley leaves roughly.
3. Heat the pan and add oil — Place a large skillet or frying pan over medium-high heat. Add olive oil and heat until shimmering.
4. Pan-sear sardines — Add the sardines to the hot pan in a single layer. Cook for 2-3 minutes on each side until skin is crispy and flesh is cooked through.
5. Add garlic and seasoning — In the last minute of cooking, add the minced garlic to the pan to infuse flavor, stirring gently. Season sardines with salt and black pepper.
6. Finish with parsley and lemon — Remove pan from heat, sprinkle chopped parsley over sardines and drizzle lemon juice on top.
7. Serve — Transfer sardines to serving plates and serve immediately with your favorite side.