Roasted Sardines with Turnip
Prep
15 mins
Cook
25 mins
Servings
4
Difficulty
Easy
This is one of my favorite quick weeknight dinners because it comes together in under an hour and costs just a few dollars to make. Fresh sardines are packed with omega 3 fatty acids that are wonderful for your heart and brain, and when roasted with sweet turnips and fragrant garlic, they become something truly special. The whole dish feels elegant enough to serve guests, but it's honestly so simple that even a beginner cook can pull it off beautifully.
Ella x
Ingredients
- 12fresh sardines(cleaned and gutted)
- ¾ kgturnips(peeled and cut into 1-inch wedges)
- 6 tablespoonsextra virgin olive oil
- 4garlic cloves(thinly sliced)
- 1lemon(zest and juice)
- 2 tablespoonsfresh thyme(chopped)
- 1 teaspoonsea salt
- ½ teaspoonblack pepper
- ¼ teaspoonred pepper flakes
- 3 tablespoonsdry white wine
Detail level
Instructions
- 1
Preheat your oven to 425°F. Pat the sardines dry with paper towels and season inside and out with salt and pepper.
Tip: Dry sardines will crisp up better during roasting and won't steam.
- 2
Toss the turnip wedges with 3 tablespoons of olive oil, half the garlic, sea salt, and black pepper. Spread them on a baking sheet in a single layer.
Tip: Arrange turnips cut-side down for better caramelization.
- 3
Roast the turnips for 15 minutes until they begin to soften and develop golden edges.
- 4
While turnips are roasting, arrange sardines on a separate baking sheet. Drizzle with remaining 3 tablespoons olive oil and scatter the remaining sliced garlic over them.
- 5
Remove the turnip sheet from the oven and add the sardine sheet. Roast both together for 10 more minutes until sardines are cooked through and skin is crispy.
Tip: Sardines cook quickly, so watch carefully to avoid overdrying.
- 6
Remove both sheets from the oven. Sprinkle sardines with fresh thyme, lemon zest, and red pepper flakes.
- 7
Drizzle the white wine over the roasted turnips and squeeze fresh lemon juice over both sardines and turnips.
Tip: The wine deglazes the pan and adds depth to the turnips.
- 8
Arrange sardines and roasted turnips on a serving platter and serve immediately while still warm.
Tip: This dish is best enjoyed fresh from the oven when the sardines are crispiest.
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