Recipes With Sardines

BROILED SARDINES WITH LEMON AND THYME

Steps:

• Heat the broiler until hot. Move the oven rack as close to the heat source as possible (four to two inches away). Heat a sturdy pan for about 5 minutes.
• Wrap a lemon slice around each thyme sprig and stuff inside the sardines; sprinkle with salt and pepper. When the pan is hot, remove it from the oven and pour in half of the olive oil, then put the sardines in the pan and drizzle with the remaining oil. Broil for 4 to 5 minutes, then check the sardines; they're ready when they're opaque, the tip of a knife flakes the thickest part easily, and the outside is nicely browned.
• To serve, carefully remove the sardines with a spatula, sprinkle with more herbs if you like, and pour the pan juices over all. Serve with lemon wedges.

PASTA WITH SARDINES, BREAD CRUMBS AND CAPERS

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil and salt it. Put half the oil (2 tablespoons) in a medium skillet over medium heat. When it's hot, add the bread crumbs and cook, stirring frequently, until golden and fragrant, less than 5 minutes, and then remove. Add the remaining oil and the onion to the pan, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 5 minutes.
• Meanwhile, add the pasta to the boiling water and cook until just tender; drain, reserving some of the cooking liquid. Turn the heat under the onions to medium-high and add the lemon zest, capers and sardines; cook, stirring occasionally, until just heated through, about 2 minutes.
• Add the pasta to the sardine mixture and toss well to combine. Add the parsley, most of the bread crumbs and some reserved water, if necessary, to moisten. Taste and adjust seasoning, garnishing with more parsley and bread crumbs.