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$15.50
We really don’t have anything to compare these to, they are unique in the sardine world. Typically lobster oil is something used in small amounts because a little goes a long way. It’s a finishing oil to dress up roasted potatoes, scrambled eggs, rice, you name it. Here it is used to preserve sardines, and the effect is transformational. Not only is the flavor affected in a richly delicious way, but the texture of the fish is different than other sardines in a way that’s difficult to articulate. At first I thought the sardines were dry, but it isn’t a dryness at all. The closest I can come to describing the texture is how sardines get when you fry them in butter until they just start to show some golden coloration. It’s as if all of the water-based moisture has been pushed out and all that remains is the oil-based moisture where umami lives. And using lobster oil just adds to the effect. A singular product. If you love the oil (and you will), we offer it as a standalone product, as well.
115g (4 oz) tin
Pictured with roasted potatoes, carrots, leeks, and wilted greens.
In stock
Ingredients: Sardines (Sardina pilchardus) 75%, Lobster Oil 18% (grape seed oil, lobster, shallots, carrots, garlic), grapeseed oil, salt
Allergens: Fish, Crustaceans
A recipe from Groix & Nature (click to open a .pdf)
See what Matthew Carlson has to say about these sardines.
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fibersides (verified owner) –
Really? I’m the first to review this delight? Like Dan says, these French Deenz just hit differently. The French Deens always seem to have a firmer texture. Almost as if cooked, but not in the way a well done steak is over cooked for some people. It’s as if you get that steak cooked rare taste with that firm well done texture. Juicy and tasty, but with a firm texture.
Ok, and now lobster oil. Wow. To my mind it needs it’s own study. But what you have here is the most decadent of tins. French Sardines, firm, flesh, fresh fish. If there are sinful sexy sardines, these are them.
I love them straight from the tin with some crusty bread, but these babies will serve on any starch like potatoes, rice, or other grains, even eggs, anything you’d otherwise like some extra butter on would be well served with these deenz.
RZ (verified owner) –
I enjoyed the sardines on bread, but felt that their taste overpowered the lobster oil. The texture was indeed on the firm side. The leftover oil was delicious with potatoes.
Matt (verified owner) –
I was holding onto these for a special occasion and I can safely say these are special occasion deens indeed. Great meaty French sardines swimming in that delicious lobster oil. I was able to save the oil and will use it with some roasted potatoes or drizzled on some rice. Very tasty tin!
Matt (verified owner) –
This is a special tin for sure! The fish are large and have a great firm texture. I mixed the whole thing in with pasta. The oil is really rich and flavorful, but I didn’t pick up the lobster. That could just be me. Regardless, this is a must-try. Very different in a good way.
Peter Kupchick (verified owner) –
Really enjoyed these sardines. The lobster oil has a delicate flavor that plays a perfect background profile to the excellent fish. Firm texture, nice medium size. Have the oil saved for a pasta dish this weekend.
rsilver710 (verified owner) –
This is a luxurious tin of sardines. These are great by themselves or served with bread so you can soak up the lobster oil. The next time I get these, I’d try over noodles to make a seafood pasta. Very meaty fish and I can’t wait to order again.
TinnedFishStoner (verified owner) –
I’ll be honest, even though these were delightful to eat and I enjoyed these with some salty nachos, the only con is in my opinion, personally I feel like these weren’t really worth the price for how it ended up being, but I understand since it is in lobster oil it can be more on the pricey side. I would rate these a 7/10, they were good but not amazing. It can be fun to try the more pricey tins anyways. I feel like this is something to try once, or to treat yourself to once in a blue moon if you do end up liking it. Definitely eat these with something or cook with them into a meal, I was eating them on their own at first but I felt like it needed something to go along with it. I wanted to get bread for it and the oil but I didn’t have bread at the moment. On a more positive note, the skin of these sardines were really pretty and I ended up taking multiple pictures of it, the scales were very delicate and shiny. They came apart in half perfectly when I wanted to take a look inside them.