I have mentioned that I am working my way through all the recipes I have collected. By far, the most have come from Chef Mimi’s blog. She has introduced me to new flavours and foods which is a bonus for me. These sardine rillettes are served with Vodka pickled cucumbers. They are an essential component of this recipe and you might want to make double as they are so good.
Head straight on to the Recipe For ♥ Sardine Rillettes ♥
Let’s talk about sardines
If you are South African, the sardine run will be a familiar term. However, it is really misnamed as we do not get sardines in South Africa. Instead, this refers to the movement of the Southern African pilchard which rivals the East African wildebeest migration. When the sardine run occurs, the shark nets are removed to allow the feeding frenzy to occur unhindered. Millions of fish are involved, and for the fisherman involved, hopefully caught. Fresh sardines in the Mediterranean are known as Sardina or the European pilchard. If you can get these fresh, they are amazing cooked with salt for seasoning, on the open fire. Sardines can be dried, salted, smoked or preserved in oil and packed in tins. They are a great source of protein and high in Omega-3 fatty acids. If fished sustainably, these are a good fish to add to your diet.
What about rillettes?
The first time I had rillettes was when we went to France. I have had both duck and pork rillettes but they can also be made with other meats. This includes goose, chicken, rabbit and game birds as well as fish. For fish rillettes expect to find anchovies, tuna, pike or salmon being used. What drew me to this recipe for Sardine Rillettes was that I could use tinned sardines that we get in South Africa. No matter whether you go the traditional route, or swerve off it, you need to spread the room temperature rillette onto a thick slice of toasted bread.
Take a look at this inspiring recipe for ♥ Sardine Rillettes ♥ from Lavender and Lime #LavenderAndLime Share on X
Click on the links for conversions and notes.
Sardine Rillettes
Ingredients
for the Vodka pickled cucumbers
- 30 mls apple cider vinegar
- 30 mls Vodka
- 30 mls fructose
- 10 mls fine salt
- 5 mls pink peppercorns
- 2 mini cucumbers, finely sliced
- 1 frond fresh dill, leaves picked
for the sardine rillettes
- 84 g drained weight, tinned sardines in oil
- 42 g softened butter
- 28 g pitted olives, finely chopped
- 10 mls lemon juice
- 5 mls capers, finely chopped
- 2 g fresh parsley leaves, finely chopped
- 1 g chives, finely sliced
- 1 clove garlic, peeled and crushed
- 0.625 mls Sriracha
- freshly ground black pepper to season
to serve
- 4 slices good quality bread, lightly toasted or grilled
Method
for the Vodka pickled cucumbers
- Place the vinegar, vodka, fructose and salt into a sterilized glass jar
- Put the lid on and shake the contents to dissolve the fructose and the salt
- Remove the lid and add the peppercorns, cucumbers, and dill
- Place the lid back on and refrigerate to allow the flavours to develop while you make the rillettes
for the sardine rillettes
- Place the drained sardines into a bowl and mash with a fork
- Add the butter, olives, lemon juice, capers, parsley, chives, garlic, and Sriracha
- Mix together using the fork, then season to taste with black pepper
to serve
- Place the rillettes into a bowl, top with the pickled cucumbers and serve with the toasted bread
See the links below for blog posts I published on November 5:
- 2021: Mandarin Curd
- 2018: Marinated Ribs
- 2016: Cape Winelands District Municipality
- 2015: Gratinéed Vegetables
- 2014: Buying Frying Pans
- 2013: Bread Maker Pizza Dough
- 2012: Challah | Kitka | Braided Bread
- 2010: Bone Marrow And Artichoke Heart Risotto
this sounds tasty Tandy. I have made a similar sardine butter, which was amazing. And I love the sound of those cukes! Pickled cukes are one of my fave things.
Hope you try this version 🙂
Vodka pickled? I like the sound of that.
They are so good!
Aren’t these wonderful?!! I made them last Christmas. Not sure if other people enjoyed them, but I loved them. Thank you so much for the compliment. I really love trying out new ingredients and unique recipes. I don’t want to make marry me chicken! I’ve been cooking seriously since 1982!!
I would not mind if no-one else enjoyed this, as that would have meant more for me 😉
I love Omega-3 rich small fish! That vodka pickled cucumber sounds really interesting.
they made this dish!
Last summer I used sardines for making a spread, and it turned out great. Now I’m intrigued to try this recipe as it seems to offer more complex flavour profile!
Hope you enjoy it as much as I did 🙂
My mom would really like this dish.
Hope you make it for her 🙂
The vodka pickled cucumbers really appeal to me. Although I don’t eat fish, sardines are one of my husband’s favorites. I have to try to make this for him. Thanks Tandy and Mimi
Hope he enjoys this!