Mediterranean Sardine, Harissa and Preserved Lemon Sandwich

Ingredients

• 1 fresh bread (Individual roll, baguette or country bread, cut open in half)
• 1 tbsp harissa (Adjust according to your preferred level of spiciness)
• 1 can sardines in olive oil (Can of approximately 100 to 120 g; reserve some of the oil to drizzle over the sandwich)
• 1 tsp capers (Drained)
• 2 tbsp fresh cilantro (Chopped or picked into leaves)
• 4 cherry tomatoes (Halved or sliced)
• 2 tsp preserved lemon (Peel cut into very thin strips, to taste)
• 2 sun-dried tomatoes (Thinly sliced; drained if preserved in oil)
• 0.25 red onion (Sliced very thinly with a mandoline)
• 1 tsp olive oil from the sardine can (Taken from the can and drizzled over the filling)

Steps

1. 1

   Cut the fresh bread open in half without completely separating the two halves. Have all the filling ingredients ready so you can assemble the sandwich quickly.

2. 2

   Generously spread the inside of the bread with the harissa. Distribute it in a thin, even layer, adjusting it to your tolerance for heat.

3. 3

   Place the drained sardines on the bottom half of the bread, leaving them whole or gently breaking them into large pieces. Avoid mashing them too much so they retain their tender texture.

4. 4

   Add the drained capers and sprinkle the fresh cilantro over the sardines.

5. 5

   Distribute the halved cherry tomatoes and sliced sun-dried tomatoes over the filling to add freshness and intensity.

6. 6

   Add the thin strips of preserved lemon, then cover with the red onion sliced very thinly with a mandoline. The onion should remain crunchy and form a light layer rather than a thick mound.

7. 7

   Drizzle the filling with some of the remaining olive oil from the sardine can. Close the sandwich, press it lightly to hold it together and serve immediately, ideally for a picnic.

Notes

The quantities are not specified in the description or transcript, so they are estimated for one individual sandwich. Use the harissa and preserved lemon sparingly at first, as the sardines, capers and sun-dried tomatoes may already be salty. Wrap the sandwich in food paper for transport.

Nutrition per serving

• sandwich
• lunch
• picnic
• Mediterranean
• fish
• no-cook
• spicy
• quick