Name: La Curiosa Small Sardines In Olive Oil with Padron Pepper
Brand: La Curiosa
SKU: 56002
Price: 16.5 USD
Availability: InStock

Recipe by: Guillermo Varela (@COOKINGFROMSPAIN)

Can you believe that one publication ranked the Sardine Bocadillo as the 4th worst food in the WORLD? We sure can't. Especially because when prepared correctly, a bocadillo de sardinas can reach gourmet levels worthy of winning the prestigious V Bocadillo Tournament at Madrid Fusión, one of the most significant gastronomic events in the world. Let’s create our own version, inspired by that same level of culinary excellence.

To craft a truly special bocadillo de sardinas, the first step is selecting high-quality canned sardines. We recommend using sardines from La Curiosa, infused with Padrón peppers, which add a distinctive kick to the dish. To elevate the flavors, we’ll incorporate fresh, vibrant ingredients like ripe tomatoes, crisp lettuce, and a drizzle of premium olive oil. With the right combination of textures and bold flavors, this bocadillo will stand out as a memorable culinary experience.

Watch it Made

Our friend and collaborator, COOKINGFROMSPAIN, put together a video about how this sardine bocadillo came to be.

VIEW VIDEO

Ingredients

Serves 1-2 people

½ barra de pan (Spanish baguette-style bread)
1 tomato
A handful of arugula
1 tin of La Curiosa Sardines in Olive Oil with Padrón peppers
1 Onion
1 Green Bell Pepper
Spanish Extra Olive Oil

For the Mayonnaise:

1 egg
Vegetable Oil (to taste)
2 cloves of black garlic
2 Padrón peppers (or shishito peppers depending on availability)
Sherry Vinegar (to taste)
Salt (to taste)
Spanish Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Directions

1. Caramelize the Vegetables: Slice the onion and green bell pepper into julienne strips. Sauté them in a generous amount of olive oil with a pinch of salt. Cook over high heat for 5-10 minutes, stirring frequently, until they achieve a golden-brown color through the Maillard reaction. Drain and set aside. In the same pan, lightly fry the Padrón peppers reserved for the mayonnaise.

2. Prepare the Mayonnaise: Combine all the ingredients for the mayonnaise in a large mixing cup. Immerse the blender fully to the bottom of the cup and begin blending. As the emulsion forms at the bottom, slowly move the blender up and down until the entire mixture is smooth and well combined. With this method its always impossible to break down the emulsion, and you will always succeed on homemade mayo!

3. Assemble the Bocadillo: Generously spread the mayonnaise on both halves of the bread. Layer the ingredients in the following order: sliced tomato, arugula (drizzled with a touch of olive oil), sardines, and finally, the caramelized vegetables.

Enjoy this gourmet bocadillo with a cold beer or a crisp, coastal white wine!

$16.50

Small Sardines in Olive Oil accompanied by a delicious fried Padron Bell Peppers (pimientos de padron.)

Once fished they are meticulously cleaned by hand. The sardines are then roasted like they have been for generations in Galicia--over an open fire to ensure their texture is firm and don't flake too easily. The sardines are then packed individually by hand with each padrón pepper before being submerged in high quality olive oil. This preserves both their flavor and texture.