Sardines, courgettes and pepper

Method

1. Dust the sardine fillets in the flour. Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a wide frying pan and, when it’s just smoking, fry half the sardines for no longer than 1 minute on either side. Remove from the pan and drain on kitchen paper. Add another 2 tablespoons oil and fry the remaining sardines the same way. Set aside with the others.

2. Heat the rest of the oil. Add the garlic and chilli, if using, and reduce the heat. Add the peppers, stir in the salt and cook gently until the peppers are soft and starting to brown. This may take 15 minutes, so watch them. Once soft, add the courgettes and cook until soft and starting to brown.

3. Meanwhile, make a dressing with the lemon juice, oil and herbs. Take the cooked vegetables off the heat and mix with the dressing. To serve, lay the fish on a large plate and scatter the vegetables over them. Bulk it up with olives, anchovies or capers for a real Mediterranean feast.

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