Sardine Asparagus Traybake Recipes

GRILLED SARDINES AND ASPARAGUS WITH CITRUS, CHILES AND SESAME

Steps:

• Prepare a medium-hot grill. Break off the woody ends of the asparagus, and peel each stalk from the flower all the way to the end. Blanch the asparagus in salted water until bright green but slightly crunchier than you want. Spread them out on a baking sheet, and allow to cool.
• Brush the sardines with a small amount of olive oil, and season with salt and a big pinch of the sesame seeds. Toss the cooled asparagus with olive oil, and sprinkle with salt and sesame as well.
• Break up the chiles into manageable pieces, and grind in a coffee or spice grinder to a coarse texture. Rehydrate the chiles by mixing with a couple of tablespoons of boiling water.
• Pound the garlic with a mortar and pestle until it is a roughish purée. Chop the herbs. Mix the chiles, garlic and herbs with enough olive oil to make a thick but pourable sauce. Add a pinch of salt, and taste.
• Put the sardines on the grill, and cook until fairly brown and halfway done. Carefully flip them over, and grill on the other side. Larger sardines will take 3 or 4 minutes on each side, smaller ones about 2 minutes on each side. Grill the asparagus for about the same time.
• Spread the citrus on a platter, and lightly season with salt. Place the hot sardines and asparagus on top of the citrus. Spoon over some of the herby chile sauce, and sprinkle the rest of the sesame over the top. Serve the remaining sauce on the side.

ROASTED ASPARAGUS WRAPPED IN PANCETTA

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C).
• Remove the woody ends of the asparagus by bending them at the end and snapping where it clicks naturally. Feel free to boil your asparagus for a minute or so if they are not as tender as they should be.
• Grab 6 spears of asparagus, sandwich one of the rosemary sprigs and one of the anchovy fillets among the spears, and wrap a slice of pancetta around the middle to hold everything in place. Make three more bundles in the same way , and out them into a small roasting tray or pan with ? lemon. Drizzle with a little olive oil and roast in the pre-heated oven for 4 to 5 minutes, until the pancetta is crispy.
• Remove from the oven, add your knob butter, and squeeze over the juice of your roasted lemon. Season of needs be. This will make a fantastic smoky sauce with your melted anchovies.

SARDINE & ASPARAGUS TRAYBAKE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Blitz 2 of the asparagus spears with the bread roll in a food processor into fine green crumbs. Arrange the sardines, remaining asparagus and Greek salad in a roasting tin, and cook for 15 mins. Meanwhile, fry the breadcrumbs in a splash of oil in a pan for 3-4 mins, then sprinkle on top.

ASPARAGUS BAKE

Steps:

• If using raw asparagus: place a steamer basket or insert and two cups of water into a small stock pot. Bring water to a boil and then add the asparagus. Cook until tender but still firm, about 5 minutes. Drain and let cool.
• Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish. Split dinner rolls in half and set top half aside. Tear bottom half of rolls into pieces and spread evenly in pan. Layer asparagus, cheese and ham over bread pieces. Arrange remaining half of rolls on top of other ingredients.
• Beat together eggs, milk, onion, salt and pepper. Pour egg mixture into pan and refrigerate over night.
• Remove pan from refrigerator 30 minutes before baking and preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Bake uncovered until a knife inserted into center of pan comes out clean, about 55 minutes. Let stand about 10 minutes before cutting.

SARDINE TAPAS

Steps:

• Heat oil in skillet.
• Toss sardines in flour.
• Place in pan and cook until golden brown and cooked through.
• Remove from pan, drain, and sprinkle with salt.
• Serve with lemon wedges.