Baked Mediterranean Sardines

Ingredients

• 0.25 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 4 garlic (sliced, or more to taste)
• 2 cup grape tomatoes
• 2 tbsp capers
• 0.33 cup kalamata olives
• 0.25 tsp crushed red pepper
• 0.25 tsp freshly ground black pepper
• 1 lemon (halved, divided)
• 1 tbsp red wine vinegar
• 8 oz sardines in olive oil (2 (4 ounce) cans; can also use sardines in olive oil with lemon)
• 0.25 cup feta cheese (crumbled, or to taste)
• 3 tbsp parsley (chopped)

Steps

1. 1

   Combine the extra virgin olive oil and sliced garlic in a baking dish and place the dish in the oven.

2. 2

   Preheat your oven to 450°F (232°C) with the baking dish inside.

3. 3

   Remove the baking dish from the oven when the garlic is lightly browned, which should take about 10 minutes. Continue preheating the oven if it hasn't reached temperature yet.

4. 4

   Add the grape tomatoes, capers, kalamata olives, crushed red pepper, and red wine vinegar to the baking dish.

5. 5

   Squeeze one lemon half over the mixture and season with the black pepper.

6. 6

   Place the sardines, along with the marinade from the cans, on top of the tomato mixture and return the dish to the oven.

7. 7

   Bake in the preheated oven until the sardines are browned on top and the tomatoes have softened, about 15 to 20 minutes.

8. 8

   Sprinkle the crumbled feta on top and turn the oven to the broil setting.

9. 9

   Broil until the feta is lightly browned, about 2 to 3 minutes.

10. 10

    Sprinkle with chopped parsley and squeeze the remaining lemon half over the top before serving.

Notes

Serve over angel hair pasta or with crusty bread for dipping. The recipe suggests using sardines in olive oil or in olive oil with lemon for extra flavor.

Nutrition per serving

• main dish
• seafood
• baked
• Mediterranean
• canned sardines
• easy dinner
• healthy