Moroccan Stuffed Sardines
Whole fresh sardines stuffed with a fragrant paste of cilantro, garlic, and warm spices, then pan-fried until crispy. A vibrant, elegant dish ready in 20 minutes.
- Total time
- 20 min
- Servings
- 2
- Calories
- 320
- Protein
- 28g
Ingredients
- 4 sardines fresh whole sardines, cleaned and gutted
- ½ cup fresh cilantro, leaves only
- 2 cloves garlic cloves
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- ¼ teaspoon paprika
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 pinch salt and pepper
Instructions
- 1
Mince the garlic until the pieces are the size of pencil-tip dots, smaller than a grain of rice.
- 2
Chop the cilantro leaves roughly into pieces about the size of your fingernail — no need for fine uniformity.
- 3
In a small bowl, stir together the minced garlic, chopped cilantro, cumin, paprika, and a pinch of salt and pepper until the mixture looks uniform and fragrant.
- 4
Pat each sardine dry inside and out with a clean kitchen towel or paper towels, working gently to avoid tearing the skin.
- 5
Spoon about 1 teaspoon of the cilantro-garlic filling into the cavity of each sardine, dividing it evenly among the four fish.
- 6
Heat 3 tablespoons of olive oil in a 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat until the oil shimmers and slides quickly when you tilt the pan, about 90 seconds.
- 7
Lay the stuffed sardines flat in the hot oil in a single layer, without crowding; you should hear an immediate, steady sizzle.
- 8
Cook without moving them for 2 minutes, until the skin begins to look golden and the edges darken slightly.
- 9
Using a thin metal spatula, carefully slide it under each sardine and flip it over in one smooth motion.
- 10
Cook the second side for another 2 minutes, until the skin is golden all over and the fish feels firm to a gentle prod with your finger.
- 11
Transfer the sardines to a serving plate and taste a small piece; add a pinch more salt if needed.
Tools you’ll need
- small mixing bowl
- 12-inch skillet
- thin metal spatula
- paper towels
- teaspoon
- serving plate
Cook smarter
Get matched recipes for what’s in your fridge
CookSnap is a free iOS app that finds real recipes from the ingredients you already have. No more grocery-list aspirations.
