Crispy, crunchy and bursting with coastal flavour

Crispy fried sardines by Chef Monalisa Rwechungura

As a Dar es Salaam resident, chef and lifestyle coach Monalisa loves her seafood. Here she shares a favourite recipe that showcases the fishy, fatty and flavoursome charm of sardines.

The first day I tried fried sardines my taste buds were changed completely. This is one of my favourite comfort foods. It’s a great snack and can serve as an entrée when you entertain (I make it part of the charcuterie board).

Sardines get such a bad reputation for being fishy and fatty, but that’s exactly why I love them. It’s true, they are a fantastically oily, fatty, meaty fish, which means they are delicious.

As a Dar es Salaam coast resident, sea food is a big part of my diet and this recipe showcases sardines in the best way. Crispy and crunchy on the outside, soft and flaky on the inside and packed full of flavour. The marinade used is simple yet tangy and gives the sardines a freshly delicious taste. If you do not have access to sardines, you can use other small fish such as sprat, herring or smelt.

Serve the sardines with hot sauce and a squeeze of fresh lemon. They can also be enjoyed with a salad, roti, flatbread or on a bed of steamed rice.

Let’s cook!

Crispy fried sardines

Ingredients:

500 grammes sardines

Juice of 1 large lemon

1 teaspoon minced garlic

1 teaspoon grated ginger

Half a teaspoon onion powder

Half a teaspoon garlic powder

One teaspoon curry powder

One tablespoon soy sauce

Half a teaspoon of salt

Method:

• Remove scales and fins from the sardines.

• Place the sardines on a paper towel and let them air dry for about 30 minutes.

• Once dry transfer the sardines into a clean bowl.

• In a smaller bowl mix all the spices and seasonings.

• Pour the marinade mixture into the sardines and combine.

• Let the sardines marinate in the fridge for three hours.

• Remove the sardines from the fridge and let them sit on the counter for 30 minutes so that they come to room temperature.

• Heat a neutral oil (such as sunflower oil) in a pan.

• Once the oil is hot individually place the sardines in the pan (if you put them in clusters they will also cook in clusters and you will end up with balls of sardines).

• Fry the sardines on both sides until crispy (six to eight minutes)

• Once done remove the sardines from the oil and onto a paper towel to drain any excess oil.

• Serve with hot sauce for dipping and a squeeze of lemon.