Sardine beccafico

Ingredients

For the sardines

• 6 medium-sized sardines, filleted
• 12-16 fresh bay leaves

For the stuffing

• 75g/3oz white breadcrumbs, plus 25g/1oz extra for topping
• 50g/2oz black olives
• 50g/2oz capers
• 4 anchovies
• 40g/1¼oz raisins
• 40g/1¼oz pine nuts
• 20g/¾oz almonds
• 1 lemon, juice and zest
• 1 orange, juice and zest
• 10g/½oz fresh parsley

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 180C/350F/Gas 4.

2. For the stuffing, blend all of the stuffing ingredients together in a food processor until well combined with a firm consistency.

3. Roll the stuffing mixture into little balls. Place one ball at one end of each sardine fillet and roll the meat around the stuffing, piercing each through the centre using a cocktail stick. Garnish each rolled sardine with a bay leaf (skewered with the cocktail stick).

4. Drizzle a little olive oil into the base of an ovenproof dish. Add the fish to the dish and scatter over the extra 25g/1oz breadcrumbs. Drizzle with a little more olive oil.

5. Bake in the oven for 4-5 minutes, or until the fish is cooked through and the stuffing is golden-brown. Serve with a lightly dressed green salad.