This Spanish Rice with Canned Sardines, known as Arroz con Sardinas en Conserva, is possibly one of the best rice dishes that hail from Spain. We´re talking layers of amazing flavors, easy to make and all done in a little over 30 minutes.

Serves 4

spainonafork.com

INGREDIENTS
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 small onion
4 cloves garlic
1 red bell pepper
1 carrot
1 tsp sweet smoked Spanish paprika
2 tomatoes
3 cups fish broth
1/4 tsp saffron threads
1 cup Spanish round or Arborio rice
1/3 cup frozen peas
2 cans sardines in olive oil
1 bay leaf
1 lemon
pinch sea salt
dash black pepper

INSTRUCTIONS
Finely chop the onion, roughly chop the garlic and finely chop the red bell pepper & carrot

Heat a large fry pan with a medium heat and add in the olive oil

After a couple of minutes add in the chopped vegetables, mix continuously, after 3 to 4 minutes and the veggies are lightly sauteed, add in the paprika, quickly mix together, then add in the tomatoes finely grated and season with sea salt & black pepper, mix together, then simmer without mixing the mixture

Once the grated tomato has slightly thickened, about 3 to 4 minutes, add in the fish broth, saffron and bay leaf, turn it up to a high heat and give it a gentle mix

When the broth comes to a boil add in the rice, give it one final mix so everything is evenly distributed, simmer without mixing

After 9 to 10 minutes and most of the broth has been absorbed by the rice but there is still plenty of broth left, lower to a low-medium heat, add in the frozen peas over the rice, making sure they´re evenly spread around and the canned sardines, I like to add them in a circular design as it gives the dish a beautiful presentation, continue to simmer without mixing

Once there is virtually no broth left, about 5 minutes, turn it up to a medium-heat and simmer for 2 to 3 minutes, this is to achieve the socarrat, which is that layer of burnt caramelized rice underneath, then remove from the heat, cover the pan with foil paper and a dish cloth and let it sit for a couple of minutes, the uncover the pan

Garnish with lemon wedges and serve at once

In this Sardines in Tomato Sauce recipe, it will show you how to make a dish using canned sardines that is so good, it promises to make you a believer.

Serves 4

spainonafork.com

INGREDIENTS
2 cans sardines in olive oil 4 oz each
3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 onion
3 cloves garlic
5 tomatoes
1/2 tsp sweet smoked Spanish paprika
pinch sea salt
dash black pepper
dash white sugar
handful fresh parsley

INSTRUCTIONS
Roughly chop the onion, roughly chop the garlic and cut the tomatoes into big chunks

Heat a fry pan with a medium heat and add in the olive oil

After a couple minutes add in the onion and garlic, mix with the olive oil, after 4 to 5 minutes and the onion is translucent, add in the paprika, give it a quick mix, then add in the chopped tomatoes, sea salt, black pepper and sugar, mix together, after 5 minutes and the tomatoes are lightly sauteed, turn off the heat and let the mixture cool

Meanwhile, drain the olive oil from the cans of sardines and then gently remove the sardines from the can

Once the tomato mixture has slightly cooled, add into a food processor and pulse for 30 to 60 seconds or until you end up with a smooth texture

Transfer the tomato sauce into a serving dish, add the sardines over the tomato sauce, making sure to give them a gentle flip so they´re coated in the tomato sauce, sprinkle with finely chopped fresh parsley