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Grilled Sardines (Sardeles Skaras)
Fresh Aegean sardines grilled over charcoal with olive oil, lemon, and oregano.
Grilled sardines are a beloved summer staple along the Greek coast, and nowhere are they better than in Halkidiki where the Aegean waters yield some of the finest sardines in the Mediterranean. At Lauer House, we source our sardines fresh from local fishermen each morning, ensuring the sweetest, most delicate flavor.
The preparation is beautifully simple - whole sardines are cleaned, brushed with olive oil, and grilled over hot charcoal until the skin becomes crispy and slightly charred while the flesh stays moist and tender. The high heat renders much of the fat, creating an almost smoky, intensely savory fish.
We serve them immediately off the grill, drizzled with extra virgin olive oil and fresh lemon juice, sprinkled with dried oregano and sea salt. Eaten whole - bones and all for the adventurous - or carefully filleted at the table, these humble fish represent Mediterranean dining at its purest. Pair with a cold glass of ouzo and watch the sunset over Sarti.
The preparation is beautifully simple - whole sardines are cleaned, brushed with olive oil, and grilled over hot charcoal until the skin becomes crispy and slightly charred while the flesh stays moist and tender. The high heat renders much of the fat, creating an almost smoky, intensely savory fish.
We serve them immediately off the grill, drizzled with extra virgin olive oil and fresh lemon juice, sprinkled with dried oregano and sea salt. Eaten whole - bones and all for the adventurous - or carefully filleted at the table, these humble fish represent Mediterranean dining at its purest. Pair with a cold glass of ouzo and watch the sunset over Sarti.
Prep: 15 mins
Cook: 8 mins
Serves: 4
Easy
Ingredients
1 kg fresh sardines (about 12-15)
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
Juice of 2 lemons
2 tbsp dried oregano
Coarse sea salt
Freshly ground black pepper
Fresh parsley, chopped
Lemon wedges for serving
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
Juice of 2 lemons
2 tbsp dried oregano
Coarse sea salt
Freshly ground black pepper
Fresh parsley, chopped
Lemon wedges for serving
Instructions
1. Clean sardines by removing scales, gutting them, and rinsing thoroughly. Leave heads on for grilling.
2. Pat sardines completely dry with paper towels - this ensures crispy skin.
3. Brush generously with olive oil on both sides. Season with salt and pepper.
4. Heat grill or grill pan to high heat. Grill sardines for 3-4 minutes per side until skin is crispy and charred in spots.
5. Transfer to a serving platter. Immediately drizzle with more olive oil and squeeze lemon juice over.
6. Sprinkle with oregano and parsley. Serve hot with extra lemon wedges.
7. Eat the whole fish or carefully remove the spine for boneless fillets.
2. Pat sardines completely dry with paper towels - this ensures crispy skin.
3. Brush generously with olive oil on both sides. Season with salt and pepper.
4. Heat grill or grill pan to high heat. Grill sardines for 3-4 minutes per side until skin is crispy and charred in spots.
5. Transfer to a serving platter. Immediately drizzle with more olive oil and squeeze lemon juice over.
6. Sprinkle with oregano and parsley. Serve hot with extra lemon wedges.
7. Eat the whole fish or carefully remove the spine for boneless fillets.
