Recipe Redux has stretched my culinary imagination and challenged my taste buds. This month’s recipe challenge was to incorporate “little fishes” to “sea what we’ve been missing”. To tell you the truth, I know I need to eat more seafood; we try hard to incorporate it into our meals twice a week, but sardines and anchovies were not in my game plan.
It really grossed me out purchasing sardines, but I was willing to give it a try. After all, I tell my “kids” daily… challenging foods can take 15-20 attempts before it becomes tasty.
Knowing the health benefits of foods can help with that initial trial period. As I purchased, experimented, and tasted the sardines, I reminded myself over and over of the sardine’s omega-3 power! (Two sardines have 6 grams of protein, 355 mg omega-3, and lots of B12)
Not gonna lie, sardines are not my favorite… for now at least. They were very “fishy”, and I usually don’t get turned off by fishy fish. But these were intense– loaded down with lemon and balsamic vinegar helped a lot!
Do you like sardines, or are you willing to give them a try?
Kale Crostini
whole grain baguette, thinly sliced
kale
lemon juice
sardines, fresh and cooked
swiss cheese
balsamic vinegar
tomato, diced
parsley, chopped
pesto
black pepper
Place sliced bread on baking sheet in 400 degree oven until toasted. Over medium high heat saute kale; season with black pepper. Add lemon juice liberally and sardines; cook until warm. Top saute mixture with swiss cheese and heat until melted.
Smear pesto on toasted bread, and layer crostini with kale mixture, tomatoes, drizzle with balsamic vinegar, and garnish with parsley. (Note: If you’re not willing to do the sardines… this combo pesto, kale, tomato combo will be still be stellar if you leave them out.)
Hi I’m Kristina LaRue, RD (registered dietitian nutritionist), Peloton addict and mama to two active and hungry boys. On Love & Zest, you’ll find healthy-ish recipes that fuel the whole family. I’m all about veggie-filled breakfast, meal prep recipes, healthier sweets, and easy weeknight dinners made in the Instant Pot or sheet pan.
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Another twist to my favorite sardines. Yummy!
Sardines, my favorite fish! Great recipe! Thank you!
Mmm, this looks great! I think sardines go so well with canned diced tomatoes…they almost flake right into the chopped tomatoes, and I add capers so the briny caper taste goes well with the fishy salty taste. Maybe a recipe idea for try #2?
That sounds really gourmet! capers are a challenging food for me too… not into intense saltiness..
Good for your for trying, we have to practice what we preach, eh? Sardines are not always my favorite but I've found the smaller ones in the cans are much more milder than the really big guys. (Serena has some awesome tips on how to enjoy them, too.) Great post! (BTW, love the profile pic!)
I'll have to go for the smaller ones next time!
Love this take! YUM!
I did something a bit similar. But I think I like what you did much better! 😉
I don't even like sardines and this looks amazing! May have to rethink them! LOL
Sounds good. I don't eat fish but the crostini combination sounds amazing! Glad I found your site. Alex
You have great looking fishies! Last time I bought them they were not so clean and fresh looking.
After talking with the employees at whole foods, since I knew nothing about sardines.. I went with the fresh basil infused fishes.
I love sardines and your recipe looks fabulous!