SMOKED SARDINES RILLETTES

Smoked Sardines Rillettes image

Canned smoked sardines are easy to come by, and if you eat fish (especially if you are trying to find ways to eat more fatty fish because of their high omega-3 values), they should be a staple in your pantry. Look for Pacific sardines, which are a Best Choice on the Monterey Aquarium Seafood Watch list. (Atlantic and Mediterranean are poor choices.) Like the other rillettes posted on this week's Recipes for Health, you can use these as a spread for bread or crackers, or as a filling for peppers or endive leaves or cherry tomatoes. The rillettes also go well with lentils, like the smoked trout rillettes featured earlier this week. The crème fraîche is optional but recommended (you could substitute olive oil or yogurt); I like the way it loosens and enriches the mixture.

Provided by Martha Rose Shulman

Categories brunch, dinner, lunch, snack, dips and spreads

Time 20m

Yield About 1 cup, serving 6

Number Of Ingredients 7

Ingredients

6 ounces (usually 2 cans) smoked sardines in olive oil, drained and filleted
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
4 tablespoons plain Greek yogurt
1 tablespoon crème fraîche (optional; can substitute yogurt or olive oil)
1 to 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (to taste)
1 to 2 tablespoons minced chives (to taste)
Freshly ground pepper

Steps:

In a medium bowl, break up sardines and mash with fork. Work in olive oil, yogurt and crème fraîche. Work in lemon juice and stir in minced chives and pepper. Refrigerate for 1 hour or longer. Allow to soften for 30 minutes before serving.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 115, UnsaturatedFat 6 grams, Carbohydrate 1 gram, Fat 9 grams, Fiber 0 grams, Protein 8 grams, SaturatedFat 2 grams, Sodium 94 milligrams, Sugar 1 gram