Moroccan Spiced Sardines with French Ratatouille

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Moroccan Spiced Sardines with French Ratatouille




Discover the perfect Mediterranean fusion: Moroccan‑spiced sardines warmed with ras‑el‑hanout, garlic & preserved lemon atop a rustic French Provençal ratatouille of zucchini, eggplant, peppers & tomatoes. Flavor‑packed, healthy and easy to prepare!

A vibrant dish combining North African spices on grilled sardines with classic French ratatouille made from zucchini, eggplant, peppers and tomatoes. A colorful, aromatic medley ideal for a quick, elegant dinner.

Moroccan‑flavored sardines meet French Provençal ratatouille in this hearty, aromatic recipe. Think ras‑el‑hanout, garlic, preserved lemon or harissa on tender sardines over slow‑simmered zucchini, eggplant, peppers & tomatoes.

This dish beautifully combines Moroccan-style sardines with a French-inspired ratatouille tian, as shown in your photo. Here's a full recipe to recreate this Mediterranean fusion meal:

🐟 Moroccan Spiced Sardines & French Ratatouille 

🧂 INGREDIENTS

For the Moroccan Sardines:

  • 1 kg fresh sardines, cleaned and gutted

  • 2 cloves garlic, minced

  • 1 tsp paprika

  • 1 tsp ground cumin

  • ½ tsp turmeric

  • ½ tsp cayenne pepper (optional)

  • 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley

  • 1 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro

  • Juice of ½ lemon

  • 2 tbsp olive oil

  • Salt & pepper to taste

For the French Ratatouille:

  • 1 medium eggplant

  • 1 medium zucchini

  • 1 medium tomato

  • 1 small red onion

  • 1 large potato (optional)

  • 1 medium sweet potato or purple potato (optional, for color contrast)

  • 2–3 tbsp olive oil

  • 1 tsp herbes de Provence (or a mix of thyme, rosemary, oregano, and basil)

  • Salt & pepper to taste

  • ½ cup tomato sauce (optional, homemade or store-bought)

  • Fresh parsley or basil for garnish (optional)

🍳 INSTRUCTIONS 



Step 1: Prepare the Ratatouille

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).

  2. Slice vegetables (eggplant, zucchini, tomato, potato, red onion) into 1/8-inch (3 mm) thick rounds.

  3. Oil a baking dish lightly with olive oil.

  4. Layer the slices vertically, alternating veggies (like in the photo: potato, eggplant, tomato, zucchini, onion), in a tight spiral or straight row depending on your dish.

  5. Drizzle olive oil over the top, season with salt, pepper, and herbes de Provence.

  6. Cover with foil and bake for 35–40 minutes, then uncover and bake another 10 minutes to brown the top.

  7. Add tomato sauce on top before final 10 minutes of baking, or spoon some over when serving.


Step 2: Prepare the Moroccan Sardines 



  1. In a bowl, mix garlic, paprika, cumin, turmeric, cayenne, parsley, cilantro, lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper to make a marinade.

  2. Score the sardines lightly and rub the marinade inside and outside the fish.

  3. Let marinate for at least 15–20 minutes.

  4. Grill or pan-fry the sardines on medium-high heat for about 3–4 minutes per side until cooked through and slightly charred. You can also bake them at 400°F (200°C) for 12–15 minutes.


🍽️ To Serve:

  1. Plate the ratatouille next to the sardines.

  2. Optionally garnish with fresh herbs or a light drizzle of lemon-infused olive oil.

  3. Serve with crusty bread or couscous for a heartier meal.

👩‍🍳 Tips:

  • Prep ahead: You can prep the ratatouille earlier and reheat before serving.

  • If you can't find fresh sardines, use fillets or good-quality canned sardines in olive oil, lightly broiled.

  • Add chili flakes to the sardine marinade for extra heat.



🎥 Want to see this dish come to life?
Watch the full cooking video on my YouTube channel 👉
Watch: 🎥 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qSnRyDmhWdE

I walk you through every step — from spice prep to plating!

Just click video link below. please leave a like and comment if you liked the video.

Thank you 






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