Bruschettas de Sardinhas

Few foods are more distinctly Portuguese than sardines on bread. Today we enjoyed a simple, delicious, healthy sardine bruschetta on homemade foccacia (next on Crowded Earth Kitchen). Any variety of canned sardines will work; we used sardines packed in tomato sauce. Simply remove the sardines from the can and, using two forks, gently pry them in half lengthwise to separate into filets. Remove the long backbone with a fork (very simple) and discard.

To recreate this Brushetta de Sardinhas, layer the following ingredients on a serving platter:

2 cups small (or chopped) leaf lettuce

1/2 cup finely chopped cucumber

1/2 cup finely chopped mixed bell peppers

Filets from two cans of sardines

1/2 cup halved cherry tomatoes

Drizzle of olive oil

Squeeze of fresh lemon juice

1/2 teaspoon coarse sea salt

Serve in the sunshine with bread or crackers and a glass of sangria!