Ingredients
4 slice (3/4 inch-thick) bread
6 tbsp. olive oil
1/4 tsp. table salt
16 large sardines
1 tbsp. Coarse salt
Preparation
Step 1Light the grill or heat the broiler. Using 4 1/2 tablespoons of the oil, brush both sides of each slice of bread. Sprinkle both sides with the table salt. Grill or broil the bread, turning once, until crisp and golden on the surface but still soft inside, about 4 minutes in all.Step 2Rub the sardines all over with the remaining 1 1/2 tablespoons oil and sprinkle with the coarse salt. Grill or broil the sardines for 4 minutes. Turn and cook until golden brown and just done, about 3 minutes. To serve, top each piece of grilled bread with 4 sardines.Step 3Fish Alternatives: Sweeter than sardines, smelts are an ideal alternative here. They’re usually smaller, so cook them a little less.Step 4Wine Recommendation: The saltiness of the sardines and the rusticity of this dish are perfect with a very cold bottle of unassuming and refreshing vinho verde from Portugal. Many vinho verdes are nonvintage, but if those available to you are dated, choose as young a bottle as possible.
