Serves 4

This is such a fragrant dish; use the marinade and crunchy topping on sardines or mackerel.

Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 12 minutes

Ingredients

• 8 fresh herring or sardines, cleaned and heads removed
• 1 shallot, finely chopped
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 2 garlic cloves, crushed
• juice and rind of half a lemon
• juice and rind of half a lime
• pinch of brown sugar
• 1 tsp balsamic vinegar
• 2 tbsp of poppy seeds

Method

1. Mix together the shallot, oil, garlic, lemon and lime juice and rind, brown sugar and balsamic vinegar. Pour into a shallow dish and add the fish. Toss to ensure and even covering.  Spoon a little of the mix into the cavity of the fish for added flavour. Leave for 15 minutes.
2. Remove the fish from the marinade, place on a tray under the grill and cook for about 12 minutes turning regularly.
3. When cooked, sprinkle liberally with the poppy seeds.
5. Serve with couscous or rice salad.