Portuguese Sardine Pâté with Lemon Zest

A flavorful and zesty seafood spread

This classic Portuguese sardine pâté brings together the richness of sardines with a bright citrus kick, perfect for a simple appetizer or a sophisticated snack.

30 min
4
Easy

Ingredients

For the Pâté Base

2 cans of sardines in olive oil

drained

100g cream cheese

1 tablespoon butter

softened

1 tablespoon lemon juice

For the Flavor Enhancements

1 garlic clove

minced

1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley

Zest of one lemon

For the Finishing Touches

Salt

to taste

Freshly ground black pepper

to taste

Preparation

Preparing the Ingredients

Drain Sardines

Drain the sardines and remove any visible bones.

Ensure all bones are removed from the sardines to achieve a smooth texture.

Prep Aromatics

Mince the garlic and chop the parsley finely.

Let the cream cheese and butter soften at room temperature for easy blending.

Zest Lemon

Zest the lemon using a fine grater.

Cooking Process

Blend the Pâté

Combine sardines, cream cheese, butter, and lemon juice in a food processor; blend until smooth.

Blending takes about 5 minutes. No heat required.

Enhance the Flavor

Add garlic, parsley, and lemon zest to the mixture and pulse until just combined.

Pulse gently to preserve texture.

Season to Taste

Season with salt and pepper, pulsing once more to ensure even distribution.

Plating & Serving

Portuguese Sardine Pâté with Lemon Zest

FaUtensils

Serve

Serve the pâté in a small bowl or ramekin, garnished with extra lemon zest and parsley.

Sauce Pairings

Fresh lemon wedges

For additional zesting

Olive oil drizzle

To add richness

Garnishes & Accompaniments

Extra lemon zestChopped fresh parsley

Perfect Sides

Slices of rustic bread or crackers

Fresh vegetable sticks like cucumber or celery