Family Meal Recipe - 11. Sesame Sardines with Carrot Salad

Ingredients (for 4):

• Sardines - 8
• Sesame seeds - 6 tbsp
• Olive oil - 4 tsp
• Lemon - 1/2
• Carrot - 2
• Dijon mustard - 2 tsp
• Sherry vinegar - 2 tsp
• Extra-virgin olive oil - 2 tsp
• Fresh mint - 2 sprigs

Procedures:

1. Scale the sardines, using the back of a knife to firmly run along the length of the fish from tail to head.

2. Use kitchen scissors to remove the head and fins, then use a sharp knife to open the sardines from the belly side and remove the backbone. Rinse under cold water to remove any blood.

3. Put the sesame seeds on a plate, coat the skin side of the sardines with sesame seeds.

4. Slice the carrots very thinly using a mandolin or vegetable peeler.

5. Put the mustard in a small bowl, and whisk in the oil.

6. Whisk in the sherry vinegar.

7. Finely chop the fresh mint leaves and stir them into the vinaigrette.

8. Place a non-sticky pan over medium heat, then add the oil. Season the sardines with salt.

9. Fry on both sides for 1 minute or until golden brown and juicy.

10. Transfer the sardines to a plate, then squeeze over the juice of the lemon.

11. Toss the carrot slices with the vinaigrette and season with salt.