Sweet Trancoso Sardines with a Twist

Ingredients

In this adaptation, we incorporate Australasian flavors to the traditional Portuguese dish. The original recipe uses a sweet marinade, but we add a touch of spiciness by incorporating chili flakes or a dash of hot sauce. Additionally, we grill the sardines instead of baking them, which adds a smoky flavor and enhances the overall taste. We alse have the original recipe for Sardinhas doces de Trancoso, so you can check it out.

• 8 fresh sardines, cleaned and gutted 8 fresh sardines, cleaned and gutted
• 4 tablespoons brown sugar (60g) 4 tablespoons brown sugar (60g)
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce (30ml) 2 tablespoons soy sauce (30ml)
• 2 tablespoons lime juice (30ml) 2 tablespoons lime juice (30ml)
• 1 tablespoon fish sauce (15ml) 1 tablespoon fish sauce (15ml)
• 1 tablespoon grated ginger (15g) 1 tablespoon grated ginger (15g)
• 2 cloves garlic, minced 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon chili flakes (optional) 1 teaspoon chili flakes (optional)
• Salt and pepper to taste Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh cilantro, for garnish Fresh cilantro, for garnish

Nutrition

• Calories: 220 kcal / 920 KJ
• Fat: 10g (Saturated Fat: 2g)
• Carbohydrates: 10g (Sugar: 8g)
• Protein: 22g
• Fiber: 1g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Preheat the grill to medium-high heat.
2. 2.
   In a bowl, combine the brown sugar, soy sauce, lime juice, fish sauce, grated ginger, minced garlic, chili flakes (if using), salt, and pepper. Mix well to dissolve the sugar.
3. 3.
   Place the cleaned sardines in a shallow dish and pour the marinade over them. Make sure the sardines are well coated. Let them marinate for at least 30 minutes, turning them once halfway through.
4. 4.
   Remove the sardines from the marinade and place them on the preheated grill. Cook for about 3-4 minutes per side, or until the sardines are cooked through and slightly charred.
5. 5.
   Transfer the grilled sardines to a serving platter and garnish with fresh cilantro. Serve hot.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Sardines — Make sure to choose fresh sardines that are firm and have a bright appearance. If fresh sardines are not available, you can use frozen sardines, but thaw them completely before marinating.

Tips & Tricks

• If you prefer a milder spice level, you can reduce or omit the chili flakes.
• For an extra burst of flavor, squeeze some fresh lime juice over the grilled sardines before serving.
• Serve the sardines with a side of steamed rice or a fresh salad to complete the meal.
• If you don't have a grill, you can also cook the sardines on a stovetop grill pan or under the broiler in your oven.
• Make sure to handle the sardines gently to prevent them from falling apart while grilling.

Serving advice

Serve the Australasian Sweet and Spicy Sardines as a main course alongside steamed rice and a side salad. Garnish with fresh cilantro and a squeeze of lime juice for an extra burst of flavor.

Presentation advice

Arrange the grilled sardines on a platter, placing them in an overlapping pattern. Garnish with fresh cilantro leaves and lime wedges for an attractive presentation. Serve with a colorful side salad to add visual appeal to the dish.