The perfect addition to any barbecued meat, fish or vegetables. This seasonal Salsa Verde is made with Wild Garlic and in this recipe I've served it with Sardines and Couscous Salad. Well worth heading out to the woods and doing some foraging.
As far as British Barbecues are concerned you have to grab the chance when the weather plays ball. This is where studious stocking of your freezer can play a part. The Power of Frozen combined with Sunshine can make for a perfect BBQ. Iceland Foods challenged me to come up with a dish to show off the many benefits of frozen food choosing from the categories of Value for Money, Convenience, Quality and Choice. Whilst the one I opted to base my dish around is 'choice' I actually reckon that it fits pretty well with them all. When I went for a wander round my local Iceland store at Aberdeen's Beach Boulevard Retail Park both the Whole Cornish Sardines and the Couscous with Vegetables most certainly fitted into the category of "I didn't expect to find that at Iceland". I have been increasingly impressed with their range of speciality fish and also picked up Crispy Whitebait. I simply cannot resit it when I spot it on a menu and up until now I've never seen it on sale anywhere. They were amazing served with lemon and tartare sauce and I can't recommend them enough! Apparently these are limited stock. I shall be filling my freezer.
But back to the Cornish Sardines. These are cooked from frozen which means no requirement for a last minute dash to the supermarket when barbecue weather beckons. I've used the salsa verde, which essentially translates as green sauce, to give a lift in flavours to both the fish and the couscous. If you can't get hold of wild garlic you can substitute regular garlic cloves. The quantity made will be more than you require for this particular recipe but it can subsequently be used in numerous ways and works really well with seafood, steak, pasta and potatoes. I was really impressed with the frozen couscous and also picked up a bag of their Zesty Bean Quinoa which I've yet to try. Both can be microwaved or stir fried and served hot or cold. Loads of flavour and so much better than dried couscous packets. I'll definitely buy it again.
The sun is out, the BBQ is lit and the heavens open. Fear not you can still make my recipe below on the grill but let's hope that the promised May heatwave does put in an appearance. I'd advise optimism and stocking up your freezer!
BBQ Sardines with Wild Garlic Salsa Verde and Couscous Salad
Iceland Couscous with Vegetables 500g
Iceland Whole Cornish Sardines 350g
Wild Garlic Salsa Verde
35g Parsley
1 Tbsp Capers
6 Anchovies plus the oil from the can
1 Tbsp Red Wine Vinegar
3 Tbsp Olive Oil
20g Wild Garlic (or 2 garlic cloves)
Black Pepper
Cook the Iceland Couscous with Vegetables from frozen according to the pack instructions, allow to cool then refrigerate until cold. It contains a fantastic mixture of giant and regular couscous with peas, chickpeas, carrot, spinach, red onion, red & yellow pepper with a Moroccan style spice mix.
Blitz together all the wild garlic salsa verde ingredients in a mini food processor or with a stick blender. Taste and adjust seasoning and consistency if required.
Brush the sardines with some of the wild garlic salsa verde and barbecue (or grill) for 15 minutes turning once.
Stir a tablespoon of the wild garlic salsa verde through the couscous and serve the Cornish Sardines on the top.
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Disclosure: This is a commissioned post for Iceland Foods. As always, all views expressed are my own.
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Oh - this is my ultimate meal - sardines and couscous in one place. Go #PowerOfFrozen.
ReplyDeleteIt was amazing! I'd defy anyone at my BBQ to realise that both products were frozen.
DeleteWhat a lovely summery recipe perfect for outdoor dining.
ReplyDeleteEverything tastes better when eaten alfresco! Lets hope we get the weather to enjoy the rest of the Iceland stash in my freezer whilst the sun shines.
DeleteI always thoughts sardines were small, not at all the big beauties you have plated. They sure look delicious, but is it really salty?
ReplyDeleteSardines can be up to 15cm in length! These ones are definitely bigger than those you get in cans that's for sure. Not salty at all, just freshly frozen.
DeleteOh my this looks delicious! Loving everyone's #PowerofFrozen recipes!
ReplyDeleteSuch great inspiration across the whole #PowerOfFrozen hashtag. Way more to frozen food than fish fingers and peas.
DeleteThis looks absolutely delicious! I picked up the sardines when I went shopping too, so will have to give this a go :)
ReplyDeleteI was so impressed by them. Such a bargain and something a wee bit different than the usual sausages/burgers on the BBQ
DeleteHaha our BBQs usually start with a mad dash to the shops as soon as we notice the sun is shining - it definitely sounds more convenient to have BBQ ingredients on hand in the freezer!
ReplyDeleteYup and everyone else dashes to the shops too and the shelves are bare! Much better to have a stock of barbecuable goodies in the freezer.
DeleteI never thought about picking food up from Iceland in prep for a BBQ before but it makes perfect sense - save time and money without losing the quality of the products. Well the sun is shining here today - it's a sign!! Hehe. :)
ReplyDeleteApparently it's the start of a heatwave! Definitely time to head to Iceland and stock up your freezer.
DeleteI love Iceland but hadn't noticed their sardines. Will have to pick some up and try this recipe, looks lovely
ReplyDeleteI think they are a recent addition to the Specialty Fish range. This was certainly the first time I'd spotted them.
DeleteYour BBQ sardines look delicious, I didn't realise Iceland sold them frozen. On my to try list, pinned for later :)
ReplyDeleteYUMMY! These look so fresh and delicious. The perfect summer seafood dish x
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like such a great summery meal! Love the fact you can have that lovely couscous and sardines in the freezer and just need to whip up the salsa verde!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely meal. Really, really love barbecued sardines but haven't had them for yonks! Love your tip about keeping a pack of sardines in the freezer for when that brief moment of BBQ weather hits! Eb x
ReplyDeleteThrough the #PowerofFrozen campaign I've really been made aware of how much Iceland has changed for the better recently. They are constantly upping their culinary game, and I have genuinely been stopping in to help with my shopping. This is an absolutely gorgeous and clever way of combining quality frozen ingredients with ultra-fresh (wild garlic!).
ReplyDeleteThe couscous from Iceland is really tasty! I love the sound of the sardines, perfect for summer! Thank you for sharing with #CookBlogShare x
ReplyDelete