Michel Roux Jr's grilled sardines with ham and basil recipe

• 36 sardine fillets
• 1 bunch of basil
• 1 pinch pepper
• 9 thin slices of Parma ham sliced in half lengthways
• 8 large tomatoes
• 3 shallots, peeled and chopped
• 2 tbsp malt vinegar
• 1 tbsp of tomato paste
• 2 tbsp muscovado sugar
• 1 pinch salt and pepper
• 1 pinch of chilli powder
• 1 tbsp each of mint, basil and coriander, roughly chopped

1. Place 3 basil leaves on a sardine fillet, season with pepper and place another fillet on top.
2. Wrap each pair of fillets in a slice of ham and hold together with a wooden cocktail stick.
3. Grill for 4 minutes each side and serve with the relish.
4. If you want to serve the sardines with toast, grill some slices of sourdough bread and rub with a little garlic.
5. Top with some relish followed by the sardines.
6. For the tomato relish: blanch the tomatoes and remove the skin.
7. De-seed them and chop roughly.
8. Put the shallots and garlic in a pan with the vinegar and 2 tablespoons of water.
9. Simmer until almost dry, then add the tomato paste and sugar.
10. Continue to cook and stir for 3-4 minutes.
11. Add the tomato flesh, season to taste with salt, pepper and chilli powder and simmer for 10-12 minutes until cooked.
12. When cool, fold in the roughly chopped herbs.

basil, pepper, thin slices of parma ham, tomatoes, shallots, malt vinegar, tomato paste, muscovado sugar, salt, chilli powder, mint

Taken from www.lovefood.com/guide/recipes/26554/michel-roux-jrs-grilled-sardines-with-ham-and-basil-recipe (may not work)