Sardine Fun.

Things to do with tinned sardines in sunflower oil.

Ingredients:

One tin of sardines in sunflower oil.
Some pre-cooked pasta shells.
A handful of frozen peas.
A handful of pre-cooked frozen rice an' tings.
Half a large tin of tomato soup.
If desired, a dash of extra virgin olive oil.
Salt and pepper to taste.

Method:

• Remove sardines from their tin, drain off the oil if desired.
• In a small mixing bowl, mosh up the sardines to crush any skin, small bones and other things.
• Mix all other ingredients together, add the moshed sardines and mix well to make sure the pasta shells are covered in sauce.
• Place in a microwave on medium heat for about a minute and a half.
• Re-mix the ingredients and leave to stand for a further minute.
• Microwave for another minute and a half to two minutes, then allow to stand for a further 30 seconds.
• Add salt and pepper to taste and serve.
• Enjoy!

    Eating this dish is a delight!  The pasta and sardines give it an almost Mediterranean tang that is refreshing to the palate, yet gives you many of the vital food groups that pre-packed microwave dishes seem to lack.  Also, because it's home prepared and cooked, you can be confident that there are no preservatives or flavourings.  None needed!
    If there is some left before you microwave, this dish will keep in a cool fridge overnight if properly covered.

Notes on sardines:
    Again, like 'Bovril', this little fish is much maligned in favour of its bigger brothers tuna and salmon.  What drew it to me was seeing it on the supermarket shelves and it bringing back all the memories of it on toast as a child.  What further drew me was the price!
    Over recent months, with the cost of living increasing so much, I have noticed that tuna, once the cheap bad-boy of fish has more than doubled in price.  Sardines in my local supermarket are less than half the price of tune, but they are just as tasty and good for you.  In my opinion...
    More sardine-type recipes to follow...