John West Review New Ideas for Mackerel and Sardines, with help from James Martin

I eat lots of John West Tuna sarnies, I do make a tuna and spaghetti hoops quiche though. John West, the UK’s leading and best loved canned fish brand, has reinvented canned mackerel and sardines, thanks to the launch of an exciting collection of delicious, healthy and convenient new products, aimed at inspiring Brits to take a fresh look at these popular store-cupboard staples.

When it comes to sardines I dry fry them until crispy and serve with rice and West Indian Hot pepper sauce, its very tasty and filling, though not overly healthy or inspired.

So I was pleased to receive the tasty new John West healthier range, but pretty excited to get some recipe help from the tasty James Martin.

The new steamed Mackerel fillets are just so much more tender, its the same taste but it seems more rounded.

The Peri Peri for me gets a special mention its delicious, a lovely spicy dish and perfect with noodles. Also dry fried as I do with the plain sardines, this makes for an extra spicy kick.

James Martin's Warm Peri Peri Sardines

Cooking Time: 15-mins

Ingredients

Serves 2

2 x 120g cans John West Peri Peri Sardines, undrained

1 x 420g can cooked chick peas drained

1tsp red wine vinegar

5g chopped flat leaf parsley

55g bag rocket leaves

 

 Method

Place the John West Sardines on to an oven proof-tray and brush with 2 teaspoon of the peri peri liquid and place into the oven for 5 minutes.

In a mixing bowl place the chick peas then add the vinegar and the remainder of the peri peri sauce.

Mix well then season with salt and pepper.

Add the parsley and rocket salad, toss together and pile onto the plates.

Remove the sardines from the oven and place two sardines on top of each salad.

Drizzle with a little of the liquid in the bottom of the bowl and serve.

 

They’ve enlisted the help of celebrity chef, James Martin, to give the new range the star treatment, by creating a series of delectable recipe dishes that demonstrate just how easy, versatile and tasty John West’s new canned mackerel and sardine products really are.

James says, “I love canned sardines and mackerel. They’re delicious, versatile and are perfect for making easy but tasty family meals. With these great new products from John West, people now have even more choice to experiment with their cooking and do more with fish in general.”

The line up includes a world first with the introduction of Steam Cooked Mackerel Fillets (110g), which are top quality, gently steam cooked, whole fillets of fish. Unlike other canned mackerel, there is no brine added, which accounts for the deliciously fresh tasting flavour.

Available in natural oils or with a dash of olive oil, they provide a more natural alternative to the smoked or peppered mackerel fillets found in the chiller cabinet and can be used for a variety of different meal occasions, from salads to stir fries, fish cakes to bakes.

The new sardine products are just as tempting. Grilled for an authentic flavour, John West’s Grilled Portuguese Sardines Fillets (100g) are the first of their kind and come in natural oils, or with a slice of lemon. Both have no brine or oil added, making them the most authentic and fresh tasting canned sardines on the market.

New Peri Peri Sardines (120g) are ready to serve in a deliciously spicy Peri Peri sauce, providing an exciting fusion of flavours. Traditionally served on toast, sardines can be used in so many more ways, and James Martin has turned his hand to creating a series of sumptuous and inspiring serving suggestions, with not a slice of bread in sight.

To try James’ canned mackerel and sardine recipes, go to the John West website at www.domorewithfish.co.uk to view the whole collection.

Products will be available in all good retailers from October onwards.