Sardines in tomato sauce on toast are a cheap and nutritious meal, this recipe zhuzhs up tinned fish with chilli, capers, and fresh tomato.
This is a super simple dish that requires no kitchen skills and it will take around 15 minutes to prepare and cook.
Quick and Easy Canned Fish Supper
I was raised with "stuff" on toast, and it remains a firm favourite light meal in our kitchen.
I've got recipes that range from devilled mushrooms on toast to smoked haddock rarebit on toast and devilled kidneys on toast to some Indian inspired masala beans on toast.
My latest offering is some wonderful and stupidly simple tinned sardines in tomato sauce on toast.
It doesn't take a lot of effort to add a bit of sparkle to one of my favourite frugal ingredients. The tinned sardines are heated with some fried capers and shallots, it only takes a few minutes but it really turns up the flavour.
They are served on some toasted sourdough bread, which is topped with slices of fresh tomato.
It really is delicious, nutritious and it takes around 15 minutes to cook and prepare. What's not to love?
Frequently Asked Questions
What bread do you use?
I'm not much of a baker, as a result, I use whatever bread I fancy from the supermarket. I've used a sourdough multigrain loaf in the pictures on this page.
Do I have to use sardines in tomato sauce?
No, you can use any sardines that you like and they will be delicious with the combination of capers and shallots.
However, you will end up with a dry dish If the sardines do not come in a sauce.
Are sardines the same as pilchards?
Yes, they are the same fish, however, pilchard is the name given to larger fish and sardines to smaller fish.
Do I have to add the chilli?
No, if you are not keen on chilli heat, feel free to omit the chilli pepper.
Serving Suggestions
Your main choice with these sardines on toast is the type of bread you use.
As I have mentioned above, I have used some store-bought seeded sourdough bread in the pictures on this page. But it also works wonderfully with ciabatta and focaccia breads.
This recipe is designed to be a simple, light meal, as a result, I don't serve it with much by way of side dishes.
However, I do like to add a little peppery watercress on the side, although a simply dressed green salad would work just as well.
Equipment Used
I only mention specific brands of equipment if I think that they make a material difference to a recipe. But if you have any questions, feel free to mention them in the comments section below the recipe.
- Hob/Stovetop.
- Grill or toaster.
- 25cm or 10" frying pan.
- Chopping board.
- Kitchen knife.
- Stirring and serving spoons.
- A combination of weighing scales and measuring spoons.
Sardines in Tomato Sauce on Toast Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 Thick Slices of Bread I use seeded sourdough
- 3 Sardines in Tomato Sauce 100g Tins
- 1 tablespoon Olive Oil
- 1 Medium Echalion or Banana Shallot 35g
- 2-3 Medium Fresh Tomatoes
- 3 tablespoon Capers
- 1 Medium Hot Red Chilli Pepper
- Butter for Buttering the Toast
Instructions
- Cut the shallot in half, peel it and then cut it into very thin half-moon shape slices.
- Cut the tomato into 3-4mm (⅛") thick slices.
- Remove the seeds and stalk from the red pepper and dice it as finely as you can.
- Heat a 25cm or 10" frying pan over medium high heat, and when it is hot add the olive oil, shallots and capers, then cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring regularly.
- Add the tinned sardines to the pan, reduce the heat to medium and gently heat through.
- Whilst the fish is heating, toast the bread and butter generously.
- Add the tomato slices to the bread and season with a pinch of salt and black pepper. Pile on the sardines, and sprinkle with chilli pepper, I also like to garnish with a little parsley.