Recipe: Patricia Wells’ Sardine Tartines with Mixed Greens

This week on

Good Food, noted cookbook author

Patricia Wells shares her ideas for making a meal out of salad. I was particularly interested in her use of raw sardines and poached chicken. Below is a recipe for her Sardine Tartines with Herb Spread, Tomatoes and Mixed Greens.

Sardine Tartines with Herb Spread, Tomatoes and Mixed Greens

from Salad as a Meal by Patricia Wells

A handful of mixed fresh sharp herb leaves, such as coriander, fennel, basil, and tarragon

2 tablespoons oil drained from canned sardines (or extra-virgin olive oil)

2 shallots, trimmed, peeled, halved, and minced

3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

Fine sea salt

Freshly ground black pepper

8 whole sardines, filleted (see Note), or 2 tins top-quality sardine fillets packed in olive oil

8 slices Multigrain Sourdough Bread, toasted

16 thin slices ripe heirloom tomatoes

Fresh fennel fronds or parsley leaves, for garnish

About 4 cups mixed salad greens

Classic Vinaigrette or dressing of choice

1. Prepare the herb spread: In the food processor or blender, combine the herbs and the sardine oil. Puree. Transfer to a small bowl.

2. In a small bowl, combine the shallots, olive oil, 1 teaspoon coarse salt, and pepper to taste. Toss to blend. Place the sardine fillets, skin side down, on a flat, shallow dish. Scatter with the shallot mixture. (Store the sardines, covered, in the refrigerator for up to 8 hours.)

3. Spread the toasts with the herb spread. Arrange the tomato slices on top, and season with salt and pepper. Place 2 sardine fillets, skin side up, on top of the tomatoes. Garnish with the fennel fronds or parsley. In a large bowl, toss the mixed greens with just enough dressing to coat the ingredients lightly and evenly. Arrange the dressed mixed greens alongside, and serve.