Sons, today I want to introduce you to a retro lunch blast from my past! Growing up we would have sardines with onions on wheat toast for lunch all the time. My brothers and I never thought anything about it… except “mmmm, lunch!”
We lived for a short time in a tiny little row house in High River, Alberta, Canada. We had an itty-bitty tiny little back yard. One day my mom set lunch up for my brothers and I outside on our little bright green folding table.
Lunch that day was sardines on toast. So you know… “mmmmm, lunch!”
My brothers and I were sitting there enjoying the sunshine and our mashed-up little fish topped with onions on whole wheat toasted bread when the neighbor kids (upon smelling our lunch) came around the little half fence to investigate. When they saw what our lunch was they had a laughing cow melt-down!
It was the first time that I realized that sardines on toast was in fact… GROSS!
(I can’t believe it took getting laughed at for me to realize that!)
I never ate them again.
…until a trip to Costco a while ago. They were giving out free samples of sardines on toast. I looked at that mashed-up little fish on the tiny square of toast and thought…
“Hey! Free sample!”
That was when I remembered that sardines on toast is, in fact, YUMMY!
Not gross at all. I can’t believe it took being a mature adult for me to realize that!
Funny story: as I was making lunch today, first you, Bryson, walked in and looked over my shoulder and said “WHAT on earth are you making, Mom?” A little while later you came downstairs, Lochlan, and asked what was for lunch. When I told you what it was, you looked at me in horror. Both of you love fish, and neither of you have ever tried sardines, but you were both sure you hated them.
Remember that box? The one I am always telling you to step outside of? Sometimes you are pleasantly surprised!
This retro lunch should be retro no longer! It is quick, easy, and really very healthy. Sardines are packed with protein; they are rich in vitamin B12 and vitamin D. They are also a good source of omega 3 fatty acids. Not bad for a tiny little fish!
Love you both… and your sense of adventure!
Mom
Sardines and Onions on Toast
Ingredients
- 2 cans sardines I buy the de-skinned and de-boned packed in olive oil sardines.
- 1 small SWEET onion Vidalia onions from Georgia, for example
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1 Tbsp Rice wine vinegar
- 1 tsp fresh parsley for garnish
- 6 whole cherry tomatoes sliced
- 1 tsp fresh black pepper
- 4 slices whole grain bread toasted
Instructions
- Buy good sardines. I get these at Costco. They are skinless and boneless.
- Toast your bread.
- Slice your onions very thin. Sprinkle with kosher salt. Really work the salt into the onions with your fingers. You want to bruise the onion slices a little bit so the salt will be absorbed. Add the vinegar and give it a couple more stirs.
- Mash the sardines with a fork. I just roughly mash them - I still want to have a few big chunks.
- Add a thin layer of sardines to your toast. Top with onion and tomatoes. Garnish with parsley.
- Enjoy!!
Don’t forget when we ate them as kids they were mixed with worchestershire sauce.
Ha! I DID forget that mom would always add Worcestershire sauce! I am doing that next time!
Well, now I know what I am having for lunch. My mouth is watering for that little fish toast. Just a little secret: that sweet…. GROSS…. recipe came from Granny Parsons through your Dad. I love them so here goes, yummy lunch for me.
When I was a kid, my dad would make these with loads of onion then wash it all down with a beer. Then he’d chase my mom around the house saying, “Honey, won’t you give me a kiss, just a little kiss?” It was hilarious because he reeked, big time!!! It was almost a weekend “ritual.”
For me, I like to use green onion.
My dad used to put Tabasco on his, too.
I love that food is memories! This is a good memory – I love that you shared it with me!!!!