Description
A quick and elegant Mediterranean appetizer featuring crispy fried sardines with a light, icy batter that ensures a perfect crunch.
Ingredients
- Fresh whole sardines, 500 g (1.1 lb), about 12 small fish
- Kosher salt, 1.5 tsp
- Freshly ground black pepper, ¼ tsp
- All-purpose flour, 75 g (⅔ cup)
- Rice flour, 50 g (½ cup)
- Cornstarch, 25 g (3 tbsp)
- Baking powder, ¼ tsp
- Sparkling water or ice-cold lager, 180 ml (¾ cup)
- Lemon, 1 large, cut into wedges
- Fresh parsley, 15 g (¼ cup) chopped (optional)
- Neutral frying oil (vegetable, peanut, or sunflower), 1.2–1.5 L (4–5 cups)
Instructions
- Prepare the sardines: Pat sardines dry, salt lightly, and rest for 5 minutes. Rinse if desired and dry again.
- Make the batter: Whisk together flours, cornstarch, and baking powder. Add cold liquid and mix until smooth.
- Dredge the fish: Coat sardines in seasoned flour, then dip in batter, letting excess drip off.
- Heat the oil: Heat neutral oil in a heavy pot to 180°C (350°F), stabilizing for 3–5 minutes.
- Fry the sardines: Fry in batches for 2–3 minutes total until golden and crisp. Drain on a wire rack.
- Serve: Squeeze lemon juice over sardines and garnish with parsley, serving with additional lemon wedges.
Notes
Serve warm with a side salad or dipping sauces like aioli or tartar sauce for a delightful appetizer experience.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 0.2g
- Sodium: 420mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 14g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 95mg