Greek cuisine · Fish & Seafood

Sardeles Psites

Fresh sardines baked in the oven on lemon slices, generously seasoned with olive oil, oregano and garlic.

Ingredients · for 4 servings

• 800 g fresh sardines (cleaned)
• 3 lemons
• 4 garlic cloves
• 2 tsp dried oregano
• 1/2 bunch flat-leaf parsley
• 7 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp coarse sea salt
• Salt, pepper

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 220 °C, rinse the sardines inside and out, pat dry and season all over with salt and pepper.
2. Cut two lemons into thin slices and layer them overlapping on the bottom of an oiled baking dish — they shield the fish from direct heat and add aroma.
3. Nestle the sardines snugly in a single layer on the lemon slices, scatter the finely chopped garlic over them and drizzle with 5 tbsp olive oil.
4. Sprinkle with the oregano and the coarse sea salt and bake for 15–18 min. until the skin blisters and turns lightly browned.
5. Slide briefly under the hot broiler and broil for 2 min. until the backs are golden brown and the flesh shows white at the bone.
6. Drizzle with the remaining olive oil and the juice of the third lemon, sprinkle with chopped parsley and serve lukewarm straight from the dish.