Roasted Sardines with Carrot-Fennel Slaw

Ingredients for Roasted Sardines with Carrot-Fennel Slaw

• 60ml plus 1 tablespoon brown rice vinegar, divided

• 1 teaspoon natural cane sugar

• 1/4 teaspoons fine sea salt

• 1/4 teaspoons crushed red pepper flakes

• 6 rainbow carrots

• 1 small fennel bulb with fronds, cored

• 8 large sardines

• 45ml white miso

• 1 tablespoon mirin

• 1 teaspoon brown sugar

• 1 garlic clove, minced

• Toasted sesame oil

How to make Roasted Sardines with Carrot-Fennel Slaw

Preheat oven to 400°.

To prepare the slaw, whisk together 60ml brown rice vinegar, sugar, salt, and red pepper flakes. Rinse outer skin of carrots. Use a vegetable peeler to peel carrots lengthwise, creating long ribbons. Place in a mixing bowl. Next, slice fennel crosswise very thinly with a sharp knife or mandoline. Reserve fennel fronds for garnish. Toss brown rice vinegar mix with carrots and fennel. Set aside.

If your sardines have not been gutted by your fishmonger, do this now. Slice each sardine along the length of the belly and remove the organs by gently pulling them out with your fingers; discard. Rinse sardines thoroughly under cool water. Drain on paper towels and blot dry.

Combine miso, mirin, remaining 1 tablespoon brown rice vinegar, brown sugar, and garlic with a fork to make a paste. Arrange fish on a baking sheet. Brush insides of sardines with miso paste. Brush outsides with sesame oil.

Roast sardines until cooked through, about 8 minutes.

Using tongs, remove slaw from bowl, draining off any excess liquid, and divide among 4 plates. Top each with 2 sardines and finish with a few fennel fronds.

Disclaimer

While every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate and up to date, individual needs may vary and dietary requirements can differ based on personal health conditions. Always check food labels and allergen information before preparing or consuming any recipe. If you have specific health concerns, allergies, intolerances, or are following a medically prescribed diet, seek advice from your GP, pharmacist, or a registered dietitian before making significant changes to your diet or lifestyle.