The idea of sardines offends Michael and me from the beginning. I was expecting to open the can and see something Tales from the Crypt-esque, disgusting little slimy fish with their dead eyes staring back at you...even the aforementioned movie "Cloudy" declares sardines "Super Gross". So, needless to say there was a great deal of trepidation to this snack.
That's what makes it so deliciously fun!
I researched different ways that one could eat a sardine, and picked a couple of ideas that appealed most to me.
The first was a Tapas recipe from the Tapas application on my iPhone. Technically, I noticed later, it was for anchovies, but I had gotten a lot of positive feedback on the forums I read about frying the sardines. So, I beat an egg, peppered some flour, and breaded and fried the sardines in--you guessed it--olive oil.
The second was smashed into a kind of flaky mush and spread on crackers, by far the most touted method. We used the Ritz chips from earlier--those delicious crispy, salty cracker-like chip. Some held just sardines, while others I smeared a bit of garlic herb cheese spread leftover from lunch. I had no hot sauce (condiments suggested included hot sauce, fancy mustard, ketchup and oregano, or salt, pepper, and olive oil), so, after a good deal of waffling, I spooned a bit of Salsa Verde onto a couple of the crackers, with and without the cheese spread.
My first reaction when I opened the can was that it didn't look at all gross--it just looked like fish, and it smelled a little like tuna. Because I had gotten the boneless skinless variety, there were no revolting little heads to stare at me, which made the experience easier. Michael, however, walked into the kitchen saying how badly it reeked.
He is notably more apprehensive than I am.
When I bring in the plate, I am starting to feel a little wary as well. Michael is obviously not crazy about trying this, and his nervousness is casting some doubts in my mind as well. The cats, meanwhile, are gleefully licking the excess juices from the sardines that I had poured on top of their cat food.
We both liked the fried sardines, but with the mild Salsa Verde was hands down my favorite--it is much better with that little spice. The flavor is reminiscent of tuna to both of us.
What really surprised us was Emerald--she had opted out of the lunch I had made for her, and she was starting to get quite peckish, so she stole a chunk of fried fish from our plate. We thought she would just spit it straight out, but she looked surprised and said "mmm...that's good!" and continued to eat the three pieces left.
Gabriel took a single bite, but he was too distracted to finish much.
So, all in all: not my most favoritest favorite, BUT with Salsa Verde, I am more than willing to try it again =)
YAY! Sardine success sounds simply savory :)
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