To Sardine With Love....

This next post is for my Dad out in Nebraska.. who reads my blog daily and will love every minute about this post... as he is a HUGE fan of Sardines......

Sardines may not be the most appealing food item in the world... but if people only knew the nutritional benefits and perks that come with these little fish.. I am sure you would all change your mind.. right??  Well we will see....

Just check out this table.....

Nutrients in
Sardines
3.20 oz-wt (90.72 grams)

Nutrient%Daily Value

vitamin B12135.1%

tryptophan78.1%

selenium68.3%

omega-3 fats55.8%

protein44.6%

phosphorus44.4%

vitamin D43.7%

calcium34.6%

vitamin B323.8%

choline16%

Calories (188)10%

Sardines are no joke... they are good for you...and found to support cardiovascular and bone health.  With the growing concern over health and safety of our ocean waters, people are turning to sardines since they are at the bottom of the aquatic food chain, feeding only on plankton, and therefore do not concentrate heavy metals, such as mercury, and contaminants as compared to other fish.

According to the Monterey Bay Aquarium's Seafood Watch list, Pacific sardines are featured on the The Super Green List and considered "the Best of the Best" in seafood; to receive this recognition a fish or shellfish needed to be among their "Best Choices" for sustainability, provide at least 250 mg of omega-3s in an 8-ounce serving, and contain low levels of mercury (less than 216 ppb) and PCBs (less than 11 ppb).

Here are a few quick serving ideas.....

• Sprinkle sardines with lemon juice and extra virgin olive oil.
• Combine sardines with chopped onion, olives, or fennel (never tried this but sounds good)
• Top sardines with chopped tomatoes and basil, oregano, or rosemary (could be good?)
• Balsamic vinegar gives sardines a nice flavor
• Make a sauce with extra virgin olive oil, lemon juice, pressed garlic, Dijon mustard, and salt and pepper. Serve over sardines. (This is similar to what I do)

Here is a quick clip from my good friend Dr. Weil.. on Sardines...

Did I mention I am going to be eating at his restaurant "True Food Kitchen" in Newport Beach a few weeks from now.... can ..... hardly.....wait......
http://www.truefoodkitchen.com/locations-menus/california/fashion-island.php

If you suffer from (Gout) you may want to be careful with your sardine consumption... secondary to the purines in sardines may cause build up of uric acid and unfortunately cause you a great deal of pain.