Ingredients:
1 pound fresh sardines, cleaned and scaled
2-3 lemon leaves
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp paprika
1 tsp salt
1 tsp black pepper
2 cloves garlic, minced
Instructions:
1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (205°C).
2. In a small bowl, mix the olive oil, paprika, salt, black pepper, and minced garlic.
3. Place the cleaned and scaled sardines in a baking dish.
4. Brush the sardines with the oil mixture until they are fully coated.
5. Place the lemon leaves on top of the sardines.
6. Bake the sardines for 10-15 minutes or until they are fully cooked and crisp.
7. Serve hot with a side salad or any other vegetable of your choice.
Tips:
– To clean and scale sardines, remove the gills and guts, and rinse them under cold water. To scale the sardines, run the blunt side of a knife over the skin from the head to the tail, removing the scales.
– Use fresh sardines for the recipe, as they have a better flavor and texture.
– Lemon leaves can be found in most Asian or Middle Eastern grocery stores, or you can try growing your own lemon tree to have a steady supply of fresh lemon leaves.
– You can substitute the lemon leaves with other herbs such as thyme, rosemary, or parsley to add a different flavor to the dish.
– Serve the baked sardines with a wedge of lemon to enhance the flavor of the dish.
Baked sardines with lemon leaf is a healthy and flavorful dish that can be prepared in just a few minutes. The tangy and fragrant flavor of the lemon leaf complements the saltiness of the sardines, making this a perfect dish for seafood lovers. This recipe is a great option for a quick and easy dinner or lunch, and it can be served with a variety of sides to create a balanced meal. So next time you’re looking for a delicious and healthy recipe to try, give this baked sardines with lemon leaf recipe a go!