This has got to be the the simplest appetizer on the planet. The key is find fresh and cleaned sardines. In Los Angeles, I find them at Korean markets. Sometimes Whole Foods sells them. Even if you can find them cleaned (really just gutted, they only have tiny scales), buy them uncleaned.
Serve about half a dozen sardines for each person for an appetizer.
Ingredients and Directions:
- Fresh sardines
- Olive oil
- Lemon
- Coarse salt
Rinse the sardines in cool water and pat dry with paper towels. Place the sardines in a shallow dish and drizzle with some olive oil and a little coarse salt. Place in the refrigerator to marinate for up to 1 hour.
Heat up a grill to medium heat. Place the sardines on the hot grill for about 3 minutes. Using a flat metal spatula, flip the sardines and cook on the other side for about 1 minute. If you are worried about the sardines sticking to the grill, rub a little olive oil on the grill grates before you place the sardines down.
Remove the sardines from the grill to a nice serving dish. Sprinkle with some more salt and arrange lemon wedges to serve. Encourage your guests to squeeze lemon juice over the sardines. Eat by using your hands to eat everything but the head and tails (the bones will have become crunchy and eatable).