Pan-roasted scallops with tomato and herb salsa
Serves 4

• 4 tbsp Olive oil
• 200g cherry tomatoes
• 80g pitted, drained black olives
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• ½ bunch coriander
• ½ bunch basil leaves
• 1 lemon, juiced
• 12 scallops
  

Heat 3 tablespoons of olive oil. Chop the cherry tomatoes in half and add to the oil. Add the pitted black olives, season with salt and freshly ground black pepper and stir over a low heat for 1-2 minutes.

 Add the chopped coriander and basil to the salsa and stir to combine.

 Add the juice of half a lemon to the pan, stir and set the salsa aside to allow the flavours to infuse.

Heat one tablespoon of olive oil. Lay the scallops out on a board, pat dry with kitchen paper and then season one side with salt and pepper. Add scallops (seasoned side down) to the pan and season the unseasoned side of the scallops and after 1-2 minutes or when the underside is turning golden brown, with a palette knife or spatula, flip over the scallops. Squeeze the other half of the lemon over the scallops and give the pan a good shake to ensure even cooking.

After 1-2 minutes or when the scallops are golden brown on all sides, tip the pan onto a plate lined with kitchen paper to absorb the excess oil.

To serve, lay out four small plates and place a large spoonful of the salsa in the middle of each plate, arrange 3 scallops on each plate and serve immediately.

Sardines on Toast
Serves 4

• 16 filleted sardines
• 1 loaf of bread or ciabatta of your choice
• 1 garlic clove
• 1 small onion
• 2 tbsp vegetable stock
• 2 tins chopped tomatoes
• sugar, salt and pepper
• Basil leaves
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• Black Olive Tapenade (optional)
  

Chop the garlic and onion together. Put them in a pan with 1 tsp sugar and the vegetable stock. Cook gently for 15 minutes, stirring occassionally.
Add the tomatoes and season with salt and pepper, bring slowly to the boil and add 4 tbsp of olive oil and a few torn basil leaves. Set aside whilst keeping warm.

Place the sardines, skin side up on an oiled baking tray. Season and place under a hot grill until golden and cooked. Meanwhile drizzle the bread with a little olive oil and toast until golden.

To serve: spread the tapenade thinly over the toast (optiona). Add some tomato sauce and two fillets of sardines for each piece of toast.