How to make Sardine Rolls – Nigerian Snack

My first trip to the university was an unforgettable experience. It was a ride in one of those luxurious buses that ply the south eastern routes. My parents had taken me to the bus park, one of those ones at Jibowu bus station in Lagos. It is always a beehive of activity in the morning. There is something about travelling that seems to compel people to buy all sorts of things; particularly foods. Boiled eggs, sausage rolls, fish rolls, meat pies and so many other choices of baked or fried pastries. By the way they come in big sizes and are well displayed in ‘show glasses’, the small wooden box with side glasses. The hawker will intermittently hit the side of the box to attract buyers and in no time his products will sell out.

I did buy one of the Sardine Rolls then on my journey and quite enjoyed the fish inside but found the pastry too much for me. I have not gone back to fish rolls after this experience. So out of the blues my kitchen assistant Janet reminded me that I have not featured Sardine Rolls on the blog. But of course  I know that Janet is trying to learn as much as possible from me so she can set up her small enterprise later *wink wink*. I really don’t mind teaching her though.

My other motivation for this recipe is that many Nigerian cooks complain about not having ovens to bake with so this snack will be practical for those people. As with all snacks made with pastry, manage quantities and portions you eat to one or two pieces. This should not be a daily affair. Enjoy!

 

Recipe for Sardine Rolls

Ingredients

1 cup plain Flour

1/4 tea spoon Baking Powder

1/4 teaspoon ginger powder

Pinch of salt if using unsalted Butter

1 Egg

1/2 table spoon Butter or Margarine

I can Sardine

1/4 teaspoon dry Pepper

1/2 small Onion, sliced

Pinch of beef seasoning

Oil for frying

 

Method

1. Pour the oil of the sardine into a frying pan and heat up. Fry the onion with the dry pepper and a pinch of seasoning cube. Fry until the onion caramelizes a bit. Crush the sardines and add for just a minute. Allow to cool.
2. Combine all the dry ingredients in a bowl.
3. Beat the egg and melt the margarine. Allow the margarine to cool a bit but not solidify again. Mix the egg and melted margarine.
4. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and mix well. Knead the dough and roll out into a square, cut into 4 thin slices.
5. Spread the sardine mixture on each slice, fold over and using your thumb close on the open sides. Use a fork dipped in water and press down the edges.
6. Cut each long roll into about 3 -4 pieces. Seal up the open edges using the fork dipped in water to press down.
7. Heat up the oil and fry the Sardine Rolls until golden brown. Finally, drain off on kitchen paper.
8. Serve with a cup of coffee or tea.