Sardine-maxxing trend: Sarah Di Lorenzo's simple sardine recipes for kitchen

Sardine-maxxing may be the latest wellness trend taking over social media, but Sarah Di Lorenzo said the real appeal of the tiny fish is what it can do in the kitchen. This weekend, she shared two simple, flavour-packed recipes designed to showcase sardines as an affordable and nutritious ingredient.

Baked sardines with cherry tomatoes, olives and capers

Ingredients

• 700 g cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 4 garlic cloves, finely chopped
• 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
• 100 ml olive oil
• 1/4 teaspoon chilli flakes
• 30 g black olives, pitted
• 30 g capers
• 2 tablespoons parsley, finely chopped, plus extra to serve
• 20 sardines, cleaned, with head and backbone removed
• 2 tablespoons ouzo
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• Extra olive oil, to serve

Method

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1. Preheat the oven to 180C.
2. In a baking dish, combine the cherry tomatoes, onion, garlic, balsamic vinegar, olive oil, chilli flakes, olives, capers and parsley.
3. Toss well and bake until the tomatoes soften and become saucy.
4. Arrange the sardines over the tomato mixture.
5. Drizzle with the ouzo, sprinkle with oregano and bake until the sardines are just cooked through.
6. Finish with extra parsley and a drizzle of olive oil before serving.
7. Serve with crusty bread, brown rice or a simple green salad.

Crispy sardine patties

Ingredients

• 2 tins sardines in olive oil, drained
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup wholemeal breadcrumbs
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 2 tablespoons chopped parsley
• 2 tablespoons finely chopped spring onion or red onion
• 2 small garlic clove, crushed
• 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
• Black pepper, to taste
• Olive oil, for pan-frying

Method

1. Place the sardines in a bowl and mash lightly with a fork.
2. Add the eggs, breadcrumbs, lemon juice, mustard, parsley, onion, garlic, paprika and black pepper.
3. Mix until combined. If the mixture feels too wet, add a few more breadcrumbs.
4. Shape into small patties.
5. Heat a little olive oil in a frying pan over medium heat.
6. Cook the patties for 3 to 4 minutes on each side, or until golden and heated through.
7. Serve with lemon wedges, salad or tucked into a wrap.

Superfood chia scramble with avocado

Ingredients

• 4 eggs
• 2 tablespoons milk
• 1 to 2 teaspoons chia seeds
• 1 avocado, sliced
• Pinch of salt and pepper
• Optional: squeeze of lemon, chilli flakes or chopped herbs

Method

1. Whisk the eggs with the milk, salt and pepper.
2. Heat a non-stick frying pan over medium heat.
3. Add the egg mixture and cook gently, folding with a spatula until softly scrambled.
4. Stir through the chia seeds in the last minute of cooking.
5. Serve with sliced avocado on the side.