“Greeks regard avgotaraho (salted and dried grey mullet roe) as a much finer product than French poutargue or Italian bottarga,” Barthelmess explains, “but it’s difficult to get in Australia so we’ve used bottarga. This dish is great with ouzo.”
Ingredients
Marinated sardines
Method
Main
1.For marinated sardines, combine all ingredients except sardines in a saucepan, bring to the boil over high heat, then remove from heat and stand until cool(30-40 minutes). Place sardines in a non-reactive dish in a single layer, cover with marinade and stand for 1 hour at room temperature to lightly cure.
2.Meanwhile, preheat oven to 180C. Place bread in a single layer on a baking tray, brush lightly with oil and bake, turning once, until toasted (10-15 minutes). Set aside.
3.Combine fennel, mushrooms and parsley in a bowl, drizzle with olive oil and 1 tbsp marinade, season to taste and toss lightly to combine. Remove sardines from remaining marinade, cut each into four pieces, place one piece on each croûton, top with salad, then a little bottarga, and serve.
This recipe is from the March 2010 issue of Australian Gourmet Traveller.
Drink Suggestion: Ouzo or dry white vermentino. Drink suggestion by Max Allen
Notes