Grilled Fresh Sardines with Fennel and Preserved Lemon
A Mediterranean-inspired dish featuring fresh sardines grilled to perfection, served over braised fennel with preserved lemon, and finished with fresh dill and a citrus dressing. The combination of grilled sardines with aromatic fennel and bright preserved lemon creates a sophisticated and flavorful meal.
Ingredients
- •2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- •2 bulbs fennel
- •½ whole red onion
- •4 teaspoons preserved lemon rind
- •¼ teaspoon fennel seeds
- •½ teaspoon salt
- •¼ teaspoon black pepper
- •½ cup water
- •12 whole fresh sardines
- •3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- •½ teaspoon fine sea salt
- •¼ teaspoon crushed fennel seeds
- •⅛ teaspoon black pepper
- •2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
- •⅓ cup fresh dill
- •1 piece ridged grill pan
Cooking Instructions
- 1.
Heat oil in a 10-inch heavy skillet over moderate heat until hot but not smoking, then cook fennel, onion, preserved lemon rind, fennel seeds, salt, and pepper, stirring occasionally, 5 minutes. Add water and braise, covered, stirring occasionally, until fennel is very tender and slightly caramelized and water is evaporated, about 10 minutes. Keep warm, covered.
15 min
- 2.
Rinse sardines and pat dry, then spread out on a platter. Drizzle sardines with 1 tablespoon oil and sprinkle with sea salt, fennel seeds, and pepper.
5 min
- 3.
Heat grill pan over moderately high heat until hot. Oil grill pan and grill sardines, in 2 batches if necessary, turning over once, until just cooked through, 4 to 5 minutes total per batch. Transfer as cooked to a clean platter with a slotted spatula.
10 min
- 4.
Stir together lemon juice and remaining 2 tablespoons oil. Serve sardines on fennel mixture sprinkled with dill and drizzled with lemon dressing.
5 min
