I have to give it to the French, they really know how to make something as simple as bread and butter taste so chic. This sardine spread, oh excuse me, rillettes de sardines can be prepared in less than 10 minutes and it’s less than 10 ingredients in total. I used to think of sardines as the poor man’s steak but now I’m convinced they’re actually quite fancy – and healthy. They’re a great source of vitamin D.

Très Chic

The ingredients in this sardine spread compliment each other so well. The result is a rich, creamy, salty spread that melts in your mouth. It’s a great idea for a lovely afternoon tea with friends, a little party snack, or a picnic at the Eiffel Tower, of course. Magnifique!

I got the recipe from David Lebovitz’s My Paris Kitchen and he explains in the book, “Traditionally, spreads like this in France are made with butter. But I was having dinner at West Country Girl crêperie, and the owner brought out a ramekin of house-made sardine rillettes. I smeared a bit on the end of a baguette, and it tasted different from others, yet there was something familiar in it. She was surprised I detected her secret, which was cream cheese. I liked it so much that in this spread I now use both butter and la fromage à tartiner—or as they say in French, le Philadelphia.”

The underrated fish

Sardines are excellent sources of protein and fatty acids, but in a world of tunas and salmons they’re often overlooked. It’s a curious fact, considering how inexpensive and how easily available they are.

An important thing to consider about smaller fish like sardines is that they don’t build up as many contaminants as bigger fish. They also reproduce quickly, so their populations can recover from overfishing much more easily than larger fish, making them a rather sustainable source.

The fish that are plentiful and sustainable are also usually the least expensive ones.

I often find myself justifying my love for sardines and fighting the stigma against them. People have strong feelings about the little things and can be awfully harsh.

But then again, I’m the kind of the person who’ll voluntarily have cod liver for breakfast.

My argument is that sardines are tasty and the canned variety can be found in abundance. That’s a great argument if you’re on a budget or if you’re living through this economy. This whole recipe is a bargain and with the money you’ll save on the ingredients you’ll be able to buy a nice baguette or sourdough to serve it with.

The bread here is just a vehicle for the spread, but a good-quality one will certainly elevate the experience. If you’re serving this at a party and are looking to impress your guests, it’s prudent to invest in good bread. Your guests will never guess how much you’re saving with this.

Make it ahead

If you’re the type of person who appreciates having snacks in the house, this one is great to keep in the fridge for an afternoon tea.

This spread can be kept in the fridge for up to three days and frozen for up to a month. So if you’re making this for a party it can easily be made ahead. They’re also a great last-minute dish idea. You can put it together in a matter of minutes.

This recipe works for both last-minute people and type A planners.

If you can get your hands and splurge on fresh sardines, that’s even better, but I’ve always used canned ones and it’s always a hit.

If you’re perhaps having a movie night, I might suggest watching Big Daddy! I’ve recently rewatched it for the first time in years and it’s still as charming as it was when I first watched it.

Rewatching old favorites always comes with a level of apprehension. There’s always a small possibility that they’re not nearly as good as you remembered them, but Big Daddy belongs to that golden age of cinema where movies were wholesome and simple and just heartwarming. I miss movies like that.

If you make this Easy Sardine Spread, let me know in the comments! I’d love to get your feedback.