Sardine And Watercress Salad With Shredded Potato Cake Recipes

SARDINE AND WATERCRESS SALAD WITH SHREDDED POTATO CAKE

Steps:

• In a small bowl whisk together the vinegar, the mustard, and salt and pepper to taste, add the oil in a stream, whisking, and whisk in the water. Peel the potato, grate it coarse, and squeeze it between several thicknesses of paper towels to remove any excess moisture.
• In a non-stick skillet measuring 6 inches across the bottom heat 1/2 tablespoon of the butter over moderately high heat until the foam subsides, add half the potato, tamping it down with a spatula, and cook the potato cake, shaking the skillet frequently to keep the potato from sticking, for 6 minutes, or until the underside is golden and crisp. Turn the potato cake, cook it for 6 minutes more, or until the underside is golden and crisp, and transfer it to a plate. Make a second potato cake in the same manner with the remaining butter and potato and transfer it to another plate. In a bowl toss the watercress with 3 tablespoons of the dressing and spoon the remaining dressing around the potato cakes. Arrange the onion, drained well, the watercress, and the sardines decoratively on the potato cakes.

POTATO AND WATERCRESS SALAD

Steps:

• Remove and discard eyes and any damaged parts of potatoes, but do not peel them. Rinse well under cold water, place in a saucepan and cover with cold water. Bring water to a boil over high heat; then, reduce heat to medium. Boil gently until potatoes are tender, 20 to 25 minutes.
• Drain any water from the potatoes, and spread them out in a gratin dish to cool. When cool enough to handle, cut the unpeeled potatoes into 1/2-inch slices. Spread the slices out in a single layer, so they are less likely to break, in the gratin dish.
• Trim the watercress stems, removing about 2 inches, and set the trimmings aside for a soup, perhaps. Wash the trimmed watercress and dry thoroughly. There should be about 4 cups.
• Mix the remaining ingredients together in a bowl large enough to hold the finished salad. Do not worry if these dressing ingredients separate. The mixture should not be emulsified.
• At serving time, add the potatoes and watercress to the dressing in the bowl, and toss lightly but thoroughly. Serve immediately, as the watercress tends to wilt quickly once it is combined with the dressing.

HOME-CURED SARDINE, POTATO AND EGG SALAD

Steps:

• Rinse sardines and dry well. Line a baking pan with a double layer of paper towels. Place a rack in pan and arrange sardines on top. Sprinkle liberally with salt, coating fish completely. Flip fish (some of the salt will fall off) and salt the other side. Refrigerate for 36 to 48 hours, turning fish and adding more salt every 8 to 12 hours. The fish should feel firm and waxy. Rinse well.
• Using a sharp knife, fillet sardines, starting just behind the gills and going down to the tail; use a back-and-forth wiggling motion and keep knife as close to bones as possible. Cover fillets with water and let soak, changing water 3 or 4 times, until most of the salt is gone, about 1 hour. Drain well.
• Meanwhile, fill a large bowl with water and ice. Heat oil in a large skillet and add onions, garlic and bay leaf. Sauté over medium heat until onion is translucent, about 5 minutes. Add vinegar, sugar and red pepper flakes and bring to a simmer. Simmer for 5 minutes, then transfer to a metal bowl. Place bowl in ice water and stir until vinegar mixture is cool. Add sardines and let rest for 1 hour at room temperature or up to 2 days in the refrigerator.
• To prepare potatoes, heat oven to 350 degrees. Lay potato slices in a 9-by-13-inch baking pan. Whisk together remaining ingredients, pour them over potatoes and cover with foil. Bake until potatoes are tender, about 40 minutes. Uncover and let cool.
• To serve, arrange potatoes, then hard-cooked eggs on a serving platter. Remove sardines from marinade and lay them on top, followed by capers. Sprinkle with lemon juice and olive oil, and season with salt and pepper to taste.

SARDINE SALAD

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, stir together the red onion, lemon zest, lemon juice and a pinch of salt. Let sit about 5 minutes to mellow the onion's sting.
• Add the sardines and their oil, along with the mustard. Use a fork to mash the sardines and vigorously stir until the mixture is creamy. Add the celery, a few grinds of pepper, and capers or herbs, or a combination, if using. Stir to combine. Taste and adjust seasonings with salt, pepper and lemon juice. (Sardine salad will keep, refrigerated, for 3 days.)