Comforting Sardine and Spinach Crockpot Stew
What Started it all:
Sardines, Spinach, beans, crockpot
This delightful recipe brings together the fresh, briny flavor of sardines with the earthy goodness of spinach and beans. Perfect for a cozy dinner, this dish is both nourishing and comforting, ideal for sharing with loved ones.
Ingredients
- 8 fresh sardines, cleaned and gutted
- 200g fresh spinach, washed and roughly chopped
- 400g canned beans (e.g., cannellini or butter beans), drained and rinsed
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 lemon, sliced
- 500ml vegetable stock
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Set your crockpot to the sauté function (if available) or use a large pan over medium heat. Add the olive oil.
- Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the pot, cooking until they are soft and fragrant, about 5 minutes.
- Sprinkle in the smoked paprika, thyme, and bay leaves, stirring to coat the onions and garlic.
- Add the drained beans and chopped spinach to the pot, stirring to combine. Lay the sardines on top of the vegetables in a single layer.
- Pour the vegetable stock over the sardines and vegetables. Lay the lemon slices on top.
- Cover and set the crockpot to low heat. Cook for 4-5 hours, until the sardines are tender and the flavors have melded beautifully.
- Before serving, taste the stew and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
Serve this comforting sardine and spinach stew with crusty bread or over a bed of rice for a complete meal. The combination of fresh, simple ingredients and slow cooking creates a dish that is both hearty and wholesome, perfect for a family dinner. Enjoy!