Grilled Sardines, Olive Pesto and Cauliflower Puree

Chuck Hughes' perfectly grilled sardines served with fresh olive pesto and cauliflower puree are a delightful "menage a trois" of flavors.

Recipe courtesy Chuck Hughes
Show: Chuck's Day Off Episode: The Spice Guys

Photo: Grilled Sardines, Olive Pesto and Cauliflower Puree

TOTAL TIME: 26 min
Prep: 15 min
Inactive Prep: --
Cook: 11 min
 
YIELD: s: 4 servings
LEVEL: Easy

ingredients

CAULIFLOWER PUREE:
  • 1 head cauliflower, cut in small pieces
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • Salt and freshly ground pepper
OLIVE PESTO:
  • 1 cup green olives
  • 2 cups fresh basil
  • 2 cups fresh flat-leaf parsley
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 cup roasted peeled almonds
  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  • Salt and freshly ground pepper
GRILLED SARDINES:
  • 12 sardine filets
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • Salt and freshly ground pepper
GARNISH:
    recipe tools

      • COMMENT ON THIS PROJECT

          

      Sign in

      All fields are required.

      E-mail Address:

      Password:

      Remember me on this computer

      Signing in

      Please enter your email address and we will send your password

      E-mail Address

      Your password has been sent and should arrive in your mailbox very soon.

      Not a member?

      Sign up for My Cooking Channel to share photos, show off your style, and connect to an enthusiastic and helpful community.

      It's free and easy.

    • Print Recipe

    Directions

    For the cauliflower puree: Cook the cauliflower in salted boiling water until tender, about 10 minutes. Drain the water and transfer cauliflower to a blender. Add butter and blend until smooth. Season with salt and pepper. Keep warm.

    For the pesto: In a blender, combine olives, basil, parsley, Parmesan cheese, 1/4 cup almonds, and olive oil. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer to an airtight container and keep refrigerated until ready to use.

    For the grilled sardines: In a skillet, grill sardines in olive oil for 1 minute on the skin side. Season with salt and pepper. Keep warm.

    For the serving: Pour some cauliflower puree on the bottom of a plate, top with 3 sardine filets. Garnish each sardine with a dollop of the green pesto. Crush the remaining almonds sprinkle. Drizzle with some good olive oil and serve.

    Cook's Note: You can replace sardines with smelt, herring or mackerel.

    COMMENT ON THIS PROJECT

        

    Sign in

    All fields are required.

    E-mail Address:

    Password:

    Remember me on this computer

    Signing in

    Please enter your email address and we will send your password

    E-mail Address

    Your password has been sent and should arrive in your mailbox very soon.

    Not a member?

    Sign up for My Cooking Channel to share photos, show off your style, and connect to an enthusiastic and helpful community.

    It's free and easy.

    Review This Recipe

    You must be logged in to review this recipe.

    or Sign Up to Review

    5

    Newest Ratings and Reviews

    Read all 2 reviews

    • on April 15, 2012

      Flag

      This meal is so delicious. My fish guy always has fresh sardines, so I tried this recipe. The cauliflower puree is incredible - smooth and creamy and hearty. The creaminess against the fresh hot sardines and the salty/tangy olive pesto is a perfect plate-licking combo - the kind where you mix everything all together for the last few bites. I forgot to get basil at the store so I had to use cilantro instead in the pesto. Still just as good. I served the meal with some sauteed leeks and fresh tomatoes.

      And the healthiness is the best part -- Good Omegas, no Bad Carbs, tons of fiber and vitamins. Just perfect.

      people found this review Helpful.
      Was this review helpful to you? Yes | No

    • on October 25, 2011

      Flag

      This dish is simple and quick to make, and it tastes great. The cauliflower purée has a luxurious mouthfeel, without the starchiness of potatoes, and the pesto is a nice hit of freshness. I will definitely be making this again.

      people found this review Helpful.
      Was this review helpful to you? Yes | No
    Advertisement

    On TV

    *ALL TIMES EASTERN
    ON AIR
    NOW
    TONIGHT
    10:00
    PM

    what's hot

    Road Trip with G. Garvin
    Road Trip with G. Garvin Host: G. Garvin

    Get Cooking Channel on your TV.

    Learn How