Skip to main content

Sardines in masala

Prep time
25 mins
Cooking Time
5 mins
Serves
4

Ingredients

msc ecolabel landscape
  • 20 medium-size sardines, cleaned 
  • 1 tbsp ground turmeric
  • 2 tbsp chilli powder
  • 1 tbsp ground black pepper
  • 1 tsp salt
  • Coconut oil for frying

Tzatziki

  • 300 ml/10½ fl oz/1¼ cup cottage cheese or yogurt
  • ½ cucumber, deseeded and finely chopped
  • Handful of coriander (cilantro) leaves, finely chopped
  • 1 garlic clove, crushed
  • Salt and pepper

Method

  1. Cut the heads and tails off the sardines to prevent them burning. With a sharp knife, cut diagonal slashes 2 cm/¾ inch apart into the sardine flesh on both sides. Mix together the turmeric, chilli powder, pepper and salt in a bowl. Coat the sardines all over in the spice mix and lay them on a plate.
  2. To make the tzatziki, add all of the ingredients to a bowl and mix well. Put in the fridge for 15 minutes to allow the flavours to come together.
  3. Heat coconut oil in a frying pan (skillet) over a medium-high heat and fry the sardines in batches on both sides for 2–3 minutes, depending on how thick they are, until golden brown.
  4. Serve the sardines with a little of the aromatic oil from the pan drizzled over and the tzatziki on the side.
Thank you for subscribing to the newsletter. Look out for delicious sustainable seafood recipes in your inbox soon.