Whole Sardines with Fresh Herbs and Crème Fraîche

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Ingredients

4 pounds fresh sardines, cleaned, boned, and filleted

1 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice

2 tablespoons salt

10 cloves garlic, thinly sliced crosswise

6 shallots, thinly sliced

1/2 cup virgin olive oil

Leaves from 6 sprigs thyme

Leaves from 6 sprigs oregano

1/2 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice

1 tablespoon honey

1 tablespoon freshly ground black pepper

1 cup crème fraîche or sour cream for garnish

Method

Lightly score each sardine crosswise on the skin side, three times per fillet. In a nonreactive bowl, combine the sardines, lemon juice, salt, garlic, and shallots. Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours. Before serving, drain the sardines, discarding the lime juice, garlic, and shallots. In a bowl, blend together the marinade ingredients. Add the sardines and gently toss. Garnish with crème fraîche.