Frozen Sardines from Portugal

So, this past Friday, during my lunch break I went to a local supermarket called Sendik's. I do love this place as they do have high quality products are very reasonable prices. As I went through the seafood section, I was in absolute disbelief when I noticed a bag of frozen fresh sardines. Back home we LOVE to grill sardines. It is a good sign and smell of  Summer months. Of course here in WI, it is still far from Summer, but with the weather actually reaching the 40s this past weekend, I HAD to buy and grilled them on Saturday night. Couldn't wait!

So what else was on the plate? Grilled sardines, a red and green bell pepper salad and "punch" potatoes (batatas ao murro).

Prior to getting into the actual recipes though. Here is a little trick my Sister, Mother and Aunt told me when I called them on Friday all excited about my discovery.

When buying fresh frozen sardines, put them in an open container with water and thick sea salt and let them thaw out this way. Sure enough this is what I did and I must say they tasted just as good as fresh sardines.

Here is another hint. If you are going to grill sardines, live in a community where the houses are pretty close to each other and your neighbors are not of Portuguese descent, it may be smart just to let them all know how excited you are to grilling such delicacies and not to be surprised that the smell may fill the air. You see, I LOVE the smell of grilled sardines, but not everyone may agree with me on this. Actually I could almost guarantee most people would run away from such strong yet tasty smell!

Another thing. This can seem to be such an easy task, but I can already tell you it can go incredibly wrong. Even if the quality of the sardines are incredible, yet the person who grills messes up, you just trashed an amazing meal.

Batatas ao Murro - Punched Potatoes

INGREDIENTS

5 medium sized potatoes
thick sea salt
5 squares of foil paper

DIRECTIONS

1. Place a little salt over each foil then add the potato
2. Add a bit more slat over the potato then warp it tightly with the foil
3. Place all foil wrapped potatoes onto an oven safe tray
4. Place them in the oven at 375 degrees for about 45 minutes or until the fork easily pinches the potato

Salada de Pimentos Assados - Grilled Peppers Salad

INGREDIENTS

3 organic green bell peppers
3 organic red bell peppers
1 organic onion sliced very finely
olive oil
red wine vinegar
salt & pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS

1. Get the grill going at medium heat
2. Add all of the peppers over the grill and keep on turning them until all sides are nicely grilled (black skin)
3. In a bowl add the sliced onions
4. Once peppers are done, remove their skin
5. Open them up, remove the seeds and cut them into fine slices and add them to the bowl
6. Add a little Olive oil and vinegar, as well as salt & pepper to taste. 
7. Put the bowl in the fridge while preparing to grill the sardines

Sardinhas Grelhadas - Grilled Sardines

INGREDIENTS

12 sardines
salt
water

DIRECTIONS

1. As the sardines have been overnight in salt water, you do not need to add any more salt to them, just make sure to pat dry them nicely
2. Keep the heat of the grill in medium to low
3. Grill them for about 2 to 3 minutes per side and carefully turning them every 1 minute. DO NOT OVERCOOK them
4. As soon as you take them out of the grill generously add good Portuguese olive oil over them