I have my doubts that Sardine Rillettes are de rigueur in my neck of the woods…and, as my loyal blog readers can imagine, they would be deemed quite unacceptable by my family members. Rillettes are simply rich, salty spreads…salmon probably being more conventional when it comes to a fish version. I grew up eating sardines…with my mom encouraging us to eat the oily fish hook, line and sinker. Somehow, we thought of them as a treat…so I had no reservations when it came to this recipe.
Cream cheese, scallions, shallots, herbs and lemon juice were combined and seasoned with salt, pepper and a pinch of piment d’espelette. Deboned sardines were then mashed into the mixture. Typically served on toasts or crackers, I chose to use mine as stuffing for some Campari tomatoes…which are a bit larger than cherry tomatoes.
I made just a half batch…and Lambeau and I had quite a treat. They were indeed salty, but spooned into tomatoes, the flavors balanced perfectly. Lambeau took care of the oil and bones. Besides moving up the rank as her favorite human, I’m certain her coat will have an extra bit of sheen from the bolus of Omega-3 fatty acids. And in case you are wondering, I didn’t even mention this dish to the big guy…
This recipe can be found in Dorie Greenspan’s cookbook, Around My French Table.
And a big thanks to my friend, Soni, of Soni’s Food for Thought, for a Liebster Award! Soni exudes kindness and her blog is full of wonderful recipes, many with an Indian twist. I hope you’ll stop by to say hello.
{ 57 comments… read them below or add one }
Such pretty pictures, Lizzy! You’re making me want to try sardines when I didn’t think I liked them!
Gorgeous photography.
ANYTHING in a tomato is also something I need. Now.
Your pictures are gorgeous!! I am not sure about sardines, but I think I am willing to try it? They sure look good and would make a perfect lunch!! Have a great weekend!
I eat sardines once in a while. As a big fish eater I have no hesitation for this dish. Though I have never had sardines in this pretty form. I think it’s so cute to present at a party or pot luck.
You make everything you make look like a banquet these are elegant and wonderful for a wedding shower and brunch lovely presentation as always you are so talented!
I really don’t like sardines but your dish looks fantastic! I think you could persuade me to give them another try – and that is no small feat!
It looks gorgeous! I love the idea to fill tomatoes with the sardine rillettes.
Even if a spread is delicious, it sounds even better when called “rillettes”!
It’s so funny because I have always called sardine, canned tuna or smoked fish spreads… spreads before a French family member told me she would call it “rillettes”
Just like you, I eat plenty of sardines when growing up. For us those days, sardines are among which we can afford to eat, considered for families living within a budget. Until today, my other half and me have a certain preference for sardines but just need to cut down due to the amount of salt content.
Its a nice remembrance of the sardines I eat and I am surprised that sardines you actually did a recipe with sardines.
Very nice and our kind of food for sure. I do make something similar but its mostly eaten with bread. Lambeau must have had a feast with the bones of the sardines.
What a wonderful touch, stuffing the rillettes into these tomatoes. How refined, Lizzy! I should make these for hubby since he’s always asking for sardines.
I don’t use sardines all that often, but I do love the flavor they add. But I know this would definitely be a no-go with my hubby too! Maybe the dog would be the better dining companion for me as well!!
What a beautiful presentation and for the tomato to balance out the flavor sounds lovely! Thanks for sharing! Have a wonderful weekend.
All my family likes sardines …me a little bit less ..but those filled tomatoes look delicious
Rollolollo
Bloglovin
It looks wonderful Liz especially stuffed in a tomato. None of the family even gave it a try?
These look SO delicious! Fabulous recipe!
I love just about anything stuffed into a tomato : ) These looks fab!
Your photos always come out so beautifully. I love those chives! I like the tomato idea a lot, these were definitely salty.
I love rillette – mu mom always got goose or duck rillette for Sunday breakfasts
I’ve never had a fish version, bit I looove sardines. I’d have to finish it by myself, too, but hey. I can live with that!
I love that you put them in little tomatoes. Sardines are not my favorite but my husband would eat these up. I would call this a pretty fancy appetizer!
The tomatoes are a great touch! I love rillettes, particularily duck, loved the tuna – but couldn’t do the sardine.
I love rillettes–just love them! Making them with sardines is new to me, but I love the simplicity of this.
Gorgeous pics, as always! And what a lovely way to serve this week’s recipe. I find it interesting that many have referred to the sardines as salty because mine were not salty in any way. I always think of anchovies as being salty, but not sardines. Hmm, guess each brand is different.
Tomatoes and fish, two of my favorite foods in one little dish.
I need to practice cooking again once I have more time.
these are gorgeous! and they sound so tasty! i would love to try these!
Your stuffed tomatoes look great. The Sardine Rillettes were ok – I guess I’m not a big sardine fan. The only ones in the family who came near the sardines were me and Molly the cat.
I am sure my seafood addicted friends would love this with some crackers – what a unique recipe
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
I guess you just can’t go wrong with Dorie!! they look lovely – Ive been meaning to cook with sardines – so thanks for the inspiration!
Mary x
Hi Liz,
I am big on fish but not on sardines. The way you have presented this dish is just beautiful. Of course I would wallop it.
I would love to make this for my mother who loves sardines.
Exquisite and elegant at the same time!
Gorgeous presentation!! These look like something you’d find at a swanky dinner party!
Love these inside the tomatoes and your photos are gorgeous
The salty briny taste of the sardines against the acidic cold tomato sounds well matched to me! Also, your pictures do tell me that they make an elegant appetizer. Have a great weekend Liz!
Lovely presentation. Those tomatoes really make
everything look so elegant. Great photos.
I really enjoyed it on crackers and toast, but what a great idea to stuff this spread into tomatoes. And lucky you that you didn’t have to share.
nice i like that
Wow, what a treat! That is right up my alley, love such appetizers, and sardines itself. Only we don’t debone it, bones are so soft in canned sardines, no need to get my hands dirty…
MMM, delicious!
This was a dish I just couldn’t bring myself to make…They do look pretty in the tomato! Nice presentation!
i love sardines.. but never tried the above..i am going to give it a try..
Sardine Rillettes is a dish which u have once in a while, not very often. I like it with some apperitive. You did a good job Lizzy!
The stuffed tomatoes look amazing. I liked this, so I would be happy to give the tomatoes a go.
I think you presented these beautifully. Love the scooped out cherry tomatoes filled with the sardine mixture. I’m sure the tomatoes added to the flavour and the texture xx
Lambeau was one lucky pet! My cat would have had a field day had I made these at home around her. I love campari tomatoes and the stuffing looks very pretty. I wonder what else could I stuff them with.
That looks appetizing ! Love sardines and I usually have some in case of emergency hahahaha I , too , grew up eating sardines but the ones smothered in tomato sauce ;D
Beautiful pictures! I really like the idea of stuffing the rillettes into tomatoes!
LOL – I can see the look on Bill’s face if confronted with one of these beauties! For some reason we grew up eating herring, smoked oysters, anchovies and all the other fishies like that – except for sardines. This looks like a perfect way to try them!
Dear Lizzy, I grew up eating sardines and oily fish too. I just thought everyone did!! I would like these very much. I am sure that the tomato balances the salt. Blessings my dear, Catherine xoxo
I love sardines unfortunately my kids and husband don’t. Great recipe and I love this as an appetizer.
My husband would love these, but I do have my reservations.
Have never been a big fan of sardines. These do look quite tasty however.
Lovely presentation.
~Carmen
http://bakingismyzen.wordpress.com
omg i love sardine cans…!!! yours are SO cute! … I actually like to buy sardine cans based solely on the artistry on the outside… lol!
looking great as always!
Alice @ http://acookingmizer.wordpress.com
Love these tiny tomatoes! Lovely pics!
I think if I had gone the tomato route, I might have tried this. Instead I flipped the page and made Rillettes de Thon. Delicious.
Thanks so much Liz for your shoutout!!I love sardines and would love to try this out!Looks so elegant and stuffed in the tomatoes, they make for a perfect party appetizer!!
It looks good! If you wanna taste awesome sardines rillettes and other french traditional products direct from Brittany, try the “Comptoir de Belle ile en mer”.
The photo looks great, love how you plate the stuffed tomatoes. They look so elegant, and I bet the flavor was spot-on as well
What a delightful way to serve this! The tomato adds such a refreshing touch!
I bet Lambeau enjoyed this!
What a great idea to use them as stuffing for tomatoes!
I grew up eating sardines as a kid. I loved them, and to this day, they’re one of my favorite things! These rillettes sound absolutely delicious in my opinion =)