Ginisang Sardinas

Canned sardines in tomato sauce sautéed with garlic, onion, and fresh tomato for a quick and flavorful ulam. Ready in under 15 minutes and best served hot with rice.

Estimated cost: ₱60–₱70

Prep 5 min · Total 15 min · Serves 1

Nutrition per serving: 338 kcal · 23 g protein · 9 g carbs · 23 g fat

Ingredients

• 1 can (155g) Canned sardinas in tomato sauce
• 1 small (80g), cut into wedges Tomato
• 1/2 small, diced Onion
• 1 tbsp Cooking oil
• 4 cloves, minced Garlic
• to taste Salt
• to taste Black pepper

Steps

1. Open the can of sardinas. Carefully separate the fish pieces from the tomato sauce and set both aside.
2. Heat 1 tbsp cooking oil in a pan over medium heat until shimmering but not smoking.
3. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant and lightly golden. Stir constantly so the garlic does not burn.
4. Add the diced onion and cook for 1–2 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened and translucent.
5. Add the tomato wedges and cook for 2–3 minutes, pressing them lightly with a spatula until softened and juicy.
6. Pour in the reserved sardinas tomato sauce. Stir to combine with the aromatics and simmer over medium heat for 1–2 minutes until slightly thickened.
7. Gently add the sardinas pieces. Fold carefully to avoid breaking the fish apart too much.
8. Lower the heat to medium-low and simmer for 3–4 minutes until the fish is heated through and the sauce is glossy and slightly reduced.
9. Taste and season with salt and black pepper only if needed, since canned sardinas can already be salty.
10. Remove from heat and let rest for 1 minute before serving so the sauce settles slightly.

Prices are estimates based on Department of Agriculture price monitoring. Nutrition is estimated from ingredient data (USDA FoodData Central, FNRI).