Charmola Sardines

Ingredients

• 0,5 tsp Ground black pepper (to taste)
• 1 tsp Turmeric powder
• 1 tsp Sweet paprika
• 0,5 tsp Ground ginger
• 1 tsp Ground cumin
• 0,5 tsp Salt (or to taste)
• 2 tbsp Fresh chopped cilantro (well chopped)
• 1 tsp Fresh chopped parsley (optional)
• 4 Garlic cloves (crushed or finely chopped)
• 2 tbsp Lemon juice (small lemon)
• 3 tbsp Extra virgin olive oil (for the charmola sauce)
• 1 tbsp Red wine vinegar
• 200 g All-purpose flour (to coat the sardines)
• 1 kg Fresh sardines (Mediterranean) (heads removed, gutted, central spine removed)
• 200 g Cherry tomatoes (cut in half)
• 1 small Cucumber (thinly sliced)
• 0,5 Red onion (thinly sliced)
• 50 g Pitted black olives
• 2 tbsp Harissa or spicy ketchup (for serving)

Instructions

1. Prepare the charmola sauce

   In a bowl, mix the pepper, turmeric, paprika, ginger, cumin and salt. Add the chopped cilantro, parsley (optional), crushed garlic, lemon juice, olive oil and vinegar. Whisk well until a homogeneous sauce is obtained.

   Time: PT5M

2. Clean the sardines

   Remove the head, gut the fish and remove the central spine from each sardine. Rinse quickly with cold water and pat dry on paper towels.

   Time: PT8M

3. Prepare the flour

   Pour the flour into a flat plate and spread it into an even layer.

   Time: PT1M

4. Heat the oil

   Heat 2 to 3 cm of olive oil in the pan over medium‑high heat until it reaches about 180 °C (or when a small drop of flour sizzles immediately).

   Time: PT4M

   Temperature: 180°C

5. Coat the sardines

   Dredge each sardine in the flour, lightly tap to remove excess, then immediately place them in the hot oil.

   Time: PT2M

6. Fry the sardines

   Fry the sardines 3‑4 minutes on each side until golden and crispy. Flip halfway through with tongs.

   Time: PT8M

   Temperature: 180°C

7. Drain

   Remove the sardines with tongs and place them on paper towels to eliminate excess oil.

   Time: PT2M

8. Assemble and serve

   Arrange the sardines on a plate, drizzle with charmola sauce, add the small salad of tomatoes, cucumber, onion and olives, then drizzle with a splash of lemon. Serve with harissa or spicy ketchup to taste, in a sandwich or as is.

   Time: PT3M

Nutrition Facts

Calories

280

Protein

20 g

Carbohydrates

5 g

Fat

15 g

Fiber

1 g