Marinated Fresh Sardines with Bocconcini and Red Bell Pepper Strips
- 20 marinated fresh sardine fillets, recipe follows
- 1 large red bell pepper
- 20 very small bocconcini (small mozzarella balls), or larger ones cut into pieces
- Minced fresh parsley leaves, garnish
- Small capers, drained, garnish
- Bring the marinated sardine fillets to room temperature while assembling the remaining ingredients.
- Roast the pepper on an open gas flame, turning frequently with tongs until all sides are charred black, 7 to 10 minutes.
- (Alternately, the pepper can be roasted under a broiler, or on top of a gas or charcoal grill.)
- Place in a plastic or paper bag, and let sit until cool enough to handle.
- Peel the pepper, make a slit down 1 side, and open flat.
- Remove the seeds and the stems.
- Cut into 20 thin strips.
- Place the bocconcini balls on a work surface.
- Wrap each with 1 sardine fillet, then with a red bell pepper strip, and secure with a toothpick.
- Place on a decorative platter.
- Drizzle with the sardine fillet marinating oil.
- Garnish with the chopped parsley and sprinkle with the capers.
- Serve.
- 10 fresh sardines (about 1 pound), scales rubbed off
- 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup Portuguese extra-virgin olive oil
- 3 tablespoons very finely sliced shallots
- 2 tablespoons minced parsley leaves
- 1 tablespoon red pepper flakes
- To clean the sardines, with a small sharp knife, remove the heads.
- Carefully slit open the belly and clean and gut the fish.
- Grasping the top of the spine, quickly pull to remove.
- Cut the 2 fillets separate from the tail.
- Wash under running water and pat dry.
- Place in a single layer, skin side down, in a large shallow glass dish.
- Cover with the lemon juice (use more as needed to cover) and salt.
- Let marinate in the refrigerator for 4 to 24 hours, depending upon their size.
- (The fish are marinated when they turn almost completely white.)
- Remove from the lemon juice, rinse and pat dry.
- Place the fillets in a clean shallow glass dish or platter.
- In a bowl, whisk together the oil, shallots, parsley, and red pepper.
- Pour over the sardines, cover, and refrigerate for 1 to 2 hours.
- Bring to room temperature before serving.
- Yield: 20 fillets, 4 to 6 servings
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Inactive Prep Time: 4 to 24 hours
follows, red bell pepper, bocconcini, parsley, capers
Taken from www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/emeril-lagasse/marinated-fresh-sardines-with-bocconcini-and-red-bell-pepper-strips-recipe.html (may not work)