Fried Sardines with Lemon and Thyme
Fried sardines are a classic Mediterranean dish that's both simple to make and delicious to eat. The key to getting the best results is to start with fresh, high-quality sardines. Once you've cleaned and gutted the sardines, dredge them in flour and fry them in hot olive oil until they're golden brown and crispy. Then, transfer the sardines to a baking sheet and bake them for a few minutes to cook them through. Finally, drizzle the sardines with a sauce made with lemon juice, lemon zest, thyme leaves, salt, and pepper. Serve the sardines hot with your favorite sides.
Sardines have been a staple of the Mediterranean diet for centuries. They're a small, oily fish that are packed with flavor and nutrients. In many Mediterranean countries, sardines are fried and served as a simple but delicious meal. This recipe for fried sardines is based on a traditional Mediterranean recipe. I've made a few minor changes to the recipe to make it easier to follow and to suit my own taste. For example, I've added lemon zest and thyme to the sauce to give it a brighter flavor. I've also reduced the amount of olive oil used in the frying process to make the sardines a little bit healthier.
Fried Sardines with Lemon and Thyme Fried Sardines with Lemon and Thyme Fried Sardines with Lemon and Thyme Fried Sardines with Lemon and Thyme
Prep time: 15 | Cook time: 15 | Serves: 4
Ingredients
  • 1 pound fresh sardines, cleaned and gutted
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  • 1 lemon, juiced and zested
  • 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
  • Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
  1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
  2. In a shallow dish, combine the flour, salt, and pepper.
  3. Dredge the sardines in the flour mixture.
  4. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
  5. Fry the sardines for about 2 minutes per side, or until golden brown and crispy.
  6. Transfer the sardines to a baking sheet and bake for 5 minutes, or until cooked through.
  7. In a small bowl, combine the lemon juice, lemon zest, thyme leaves, and salt and pepper.
  8. Pour the sauce over the sardines and serve.
Why It Works
  • Dredging the sardines in flour before frying them helps to create a crispy crust.
  • Frying the sardines in hot olive oil helps to cook them quickly and evenly.
  • Baking the sardines for a few minutes after frying them helps to cook them through and to develop their flavor.
  • The lemon juice, lemon zest, thyme leaves, salt, and pepper in the sauce add a bright and flavorful touch to the sardines.