Roasted Sardines with Pak Choi
Prep
15 mins
Cook
20 mins
Servings
4
Difficulty
Easy
Roasted Sardines with Pak Choi is a simple dish combining fresh sardines and pak choi with a flavourful sauce made from garlic, ginger, soy sauce and honey. The fish and vegetables are finished with sesame oil and seeds, then roasted until tender. The whole meal comes together in just 35 minutes, with only 15 minutes of preparation required. This recipe suits anyone looking for a quick, straightforward dinner.
Ella x
Ingredients
- 12fresh sardines(cleaned and gutted)
- 4pak choi(halved lengthwise)
- 3 tablespoonsolive oil
- 4garlic cloves(minced)
- 1 tablespoonfresh ginger(grated)
- 1lemon(zest and juice)
- 2 tablespoonslow-sodium soy sauce
- 1 teaspoonhoney
- ¼ teaspoonred chilli flakes
- 1 teaspoonsesame oil
- ½ teaspoonsea salt
- ¼ teaspoonblack pepper
- 1 tablespoonsesame seeds(for garnish)
Detail level
Instructions
- 1
Pat the sardines dry with paper towels and season both sides generously with sea salt and black pepper. Set aside on a plate.
Tip: Drying the sardines ensures they will crisp up nicely when roasted.
- 2
In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, honey, lemon juice, lemon zest, sesame oil, garlic, ginger, and red chilli flakes to create the glaze.
Tip: Prepare the glaze while the oven preheats so everything comes together quickly.
- 3
Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F). Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat.
Tip: Using an oven-safe skillet eliminates the need for transferring the fish.
- 4
Once the oil is shimmering, carefully arrange the sardines skin-side down in the skillet and sear for 2-3 minutes until the skin crisps. Do not move them during this time.
Tip: Resisting the urge to move the fish allows the skin to develop a golden crust.
- 5
While the sardines sear, toss the pak choi halves with the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
- 6
Flip the sardines gently and pour the glaze over them. Arrange the pak choi around the sardines in the skillet.
Tip: The glaze will continue to cook and caramelize in the oven.
- 7
Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and roast for 8-10 minutes until the pak choi is tender and the sardine flesh is cooked through.
Tip: The fish should flake easily when tested with a fork.
- 8
Remove from the oven and scatter sesame seeds over the sardines and pak choi. Serve immediately while hot, spooning any pan juices over the top.
Tip: Serve with steamed rice or crusty bread to soak up the delicious glaze.
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