For Old Times Sake

March 24, 2020 - Malaysian Style Sardine Sandwich

In my search for calm amidst the uncertainty at the grocery store recently, staring down empty rows of shelves where instant noodles, luncheon meat and tuna cans used to be, wondering what else should I stock up on, I found cans of Ayam brand sardines;  my heart screamed "scored!" 

Enter the Malaysian Style Sardine Sandwich – it's a ubiquitous sandwich appearing as high tea finger sandwiches at fancy hotels and equally popular as a simple snack at home or a picnic fare back in the days when I was still in school.  Little did I know then, that sardines are rich with vitamins, minerals and omega-3 oils, without heavy metals and toxins often found in larger fish. 

To make the sandwich, the tomato based sardines are mashed and placed alongside slender slivers of onion and cucumber flanked by buttered white bread.  My eight year old had his first bite last week and enthusiastically described it as tasty and juicy.  Somehow, I felt our bond strengthened because of this window to my childhood.    

In light of the shelter-in-place mandate, instead of a confectionery offering, I'm sharing this sandwich idea which I hope you'll try.  Or if you have a childhood meal memory that you could recreate, I encourage you to share that with your loved ones; for cooking is not a science nor meant to be perfect but simply an act of love.

Ingredients 

• A can of Ayam brand tomato based sardine 
• 1 lime or lemon 
• Salt and pepper to taste  
• 1 chili, deseeded and finely minced, or sprinkles of red pepper flakes (optional) 
• ½ cucumber, thinly sliced     
• ¼ red onion, thinly sliced or roughly chopped 
• 6 slices of white bread 
• Butter to spread

Instructions 

1.    Fish sardine out from can, remove bones and mash.  Discard excess tomato sauce.  

2.    Squeeze lime juice on to mashed sardines, salt and pepper to taste, add minced chili. 

3.    Spread butter on bread, followed by mashed sardines, topped with cucumber slice and onion slivers (or chopped onions can be mixed in with mashed sardines before spreading on bread).

4.    Cut crust off the sandwiches, slice to rectangles or triangles and serve.

I am brewing a few ideas and hope to be back soon with more delectable offerings.  Meanwhile, do visit my facebook page, subscribe to my instagram and feel free to like or share your comments.  I wish you all well and hope you tap your creative juices, exercise patience and stay positive.