Sardine Cucumber Sandwiches (Sardine Sandwiches) with thinly sliced cucumber are a perennial Malaysian party favorite. It is a well loved budget friendly treat.
Just as Nasi Lemak Bungkus is ever present in daily Malaysian life, Sardine Cucumber Sandwiches a.k.a. Sardine Sandwiches are conspicuous at parties and functions throughout Malaysia. During my schooling years, every class party was replete with these crustless, rectangular or triangular sandwiches. No party would be complete without them. Usually two to three families would step up to the plate to provide enough Sardine Sandwiches for a class of forty to fifty students. They were popular, a treat for special occasions. Most kids grew up on a rice based diet and dainty sandwiches were not their usual snack in those days. They were indelibly etched in my memory.
To see a picture of my elementary class party, please click here.
A Reason to Make Sardine Cucumber Sandwiches
My last class party was more than two decades ago. Sadly, these sandwiches seldom made an appearance in all this time. It isn’t as if they are difficult to prepare but more so that I needed a reason to make them. When it was my turn to specify the theme for this month’s cook-out with Denise, I immediately suggested sardines. She agreed but was apprehensive right from the start that we would both come up with the same recipe. She knew that I knew that she knew what I was going to do with my can of sardines, but I went ahead anyway. I really wanted to eat these Sardine Sandwiches.
Nona-Nona Challenge
Three weeks have gone by since Denise and I made kerabu, a Nyonya or Malay salad for our first virtual cooking meet. The idea of this get-together was rather spontaneous. Within a week, both our posts Kerabu Kacang Botol and Kerabu Tang Hoon were up. It was fun and we would like this to continue. Hence, we have decided to give our collaboration a name and a badge. Credit for the badge goes to my hubby, Ro-Ri San who also designed the logo for this blog. 😀
After some deliberation, we settled on the name Nona-Nona which pretty much describes both Denise and I. We have each created a page with brief details of our individual backgrounds and how Nona-Nona came to be. You will also get to read about the name and the logo. Do check it out.
Sardines in Tomato Sauce
And so I happily ran off to the Asian grocery store to buy a few flat oval cans of sardines in tomato sauce. Sardines in these cans are of the smaller variety and are packed whole in the cans. Sardines in the cylindrical cans are of the larger variety with coarser flesh. Only a portion of the fish is packed into each can. Sardines packed in flat rectangular cans found at the regular grocery stores can be used but they do taste different.
For some, sardines can be a little fishy. Lime juice and chopped red chilies help reduce the fishy odor. Butter combines very well with the filling and makes the sandwiches very tasty.
Tools Used in Making These Sardine Cucumber Sandwiches
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• Epicurean Kitchen Series Cutting Board, 14.5 by 11.25-Inch
INGREDIENTS
- 1 can sardines in tomato sauce (7.5oz/215g)
- 1 tbsp lime juice
- ½ red chili (seeds removed and chopped (optional)
- 1/8 tsp salt
- 1/8 tsp pepper
- 8 slices white bread
- 3 tbsp butter
- ½ cucumber (thinly sliced into disks)
INSTRUCTIONS
- Transfer sardines from can with about a tablespoon of the tomato sauce. Discard the rest of the sauce. Remove bones from sardines. Add lime juice, chopped red chilies, salt, and pepper. Mash and mix everything up with a fork.
- Butter the 8 slices of bread. Spread an even layer of mashed sardines on 4 slices of bread.
- Place about 6 slices of cucumber on top of the sardines and sandwich with the remaining 4 slices of buttered bread.
- Slice off the crust on all sides with a very sharp knife. Cut the sandwich into half to form rectangles or triangles. Serve immediately.
NUTRITION
Denise’s Cookbook
One of the most fun part of this get-together is that neither of us know what the other is preparing. There is always the “fear” of us making the same dish and it is funny how we would drop hints but always careful never to “let the cat out of the bag”. Hence, the anticipation until the big reveal on the day of posting. Let’s head over now to Singapore Shiok! to see what Denise has prepared.
One more thing before we hop over. See this cute book cover on the left? This cookbook by Denise will be at the bookstores very SOON. If you would like a pre-release copy, please check Denise’s blog for details of an upcoming giveaway. I heard there will be several copies up for grabs. 😉
Enjoy…..and have a wonderful day! 😎
denise @ singapore shiok says
May 15, 2012 at 8:05 pmBiren!!!! You really made sardine sandwiches!! lolol So glad I went with my gut and made what I did though I was reluctant to because of all that mad pinching 😀 Mee- owwww!Your sandwiches look divine dah-ling! So refined, I know my pinky will automatically stick out if I eat them! The secret’s out – we’re a couple of sardine chomping nonas 😀 Ummmm… guess what? I used those rectangular can sardines. *whispers* They even had dill in them, but I didn’t have anything else in the cupboard, and they were still delicious cos the curry powder drowned everything else out *shhhhhh* Thanks for the cookbook mention, hope your readers will participate too cos I really, really want to give those cute as a button books away!
Biren says
May 15, 2012 at 8:39 pmYES, I did! I wanted to all along. That was why I suggested sardines and I knew that you knew. 😀 Sardine chomping nonas? LOL! Meow back atcha!
Doesn’t matter if you are going to add spices and curry powder to those sardines. Any kind will do. I have several cans of those in my pantry…MEOW!
I can’t wait to see your cookbook. The cover is really cute. CONGRATS my friend!
denise @ singapore shiok says
May 15, 2012 at 8:06 pmHey!!!! Is that pandan limeade??!
Biren says
May 15, 2012 at 8:40 pmThat is limeade but no pandan. Just mint leaves. 🙂
cooking rookie says
May 15, 2012 at 10:50 pmGreat sandwiches! I love sardines, I wish my bf felt the same :-). But on the other hand, I get to eat them all :-). This sandwich is certainly something to try! And it’s quick – a very valuable feature for me these days! Thanks for sharing, Biren!
Go Nona Nona!
Biren says
May 19, 2012 at 1:59 amI always have a few cans of sardines I my pantry and these sandwiches can be put together in minutes. Makes a wonderful lunch.
Thanks for cheering us on…YAY! 😀
Jeannie says
May 16, 2012 at 12:41 amLove your Nona-Nona badge, very nyonya-ish:D You could publish a cookbook too with all the wonderful recipes in this blog! You made the most simple of recipe looks good!
Biren says
May 19, 2012 at 2:01 amAww…thank you so much for all your kind words and support. It is much appreciated.
Raymund says
May 16, 2012 at 2:01 amLooks like a perfect lunchbox item.
Blackswan says
May 16, 2012 at 3:17 amCame over from Denise blog.. I was wondering if u’ll be having a sardine dish here too. Unfortunately, my family isn’t a sardine fan. Something about the smell & taste. My mom used to add chilli & lime to disguise the taste but nothing works for me. I’ll just sit here & admire your great photography & write-ups, dear 🙂
Biren, u may like to chk out my beauty guide for this month: May BellaBox Comes With A Reusable Bag!!
Angie@Angie's Recipes says
May 16, 2012 at 3:39 amA simple and very tasty sandwich. Great to bring to a picnic 😉
Mari @ Mari's Cakes says
May 16, 2012 at 7:56 amBiren, this sandwhich looks delicious! I like the chili and cumcumber in it. Have a wonderful day 🙂
Tina (PinayInTexas) says
May 16, 2012 at 10:07 amSardine sandwich is my family’s favorite! My daughters love bringing it to school just like me when I was a little girl. It’s just so good!
Ann@Anncoo Journal says
May 16, 2012 at 10:43 amI love sardine sandwiches too! Yours look so delicious and I definitely want to make this sandwich for morning breakfast 🙂
Biren says
May 19, 2012 at 1:57 amThese sandwiches are good anything time of the day. They are so light and tasty.
PolaM says
May 16, 2012 at 10:43 amWow these sandwiches look delicious! Perfectly soft and salty and fresh… I want them!
Biren says
May 19, 2012 at 1:56 amYour description is so apt. Soft, salty, and fresh truly describe these delightful sandwiches. 🙂
Georgia @ The Comfort of Cooking says
May 16, 2012 at 12:00 pmThese sandwiches look so delicious, Biren! I love the crunch of cucumber in my sandwiches!
Ramona says
May 16, 2012 at 1:21 pmLooks like a perfect lunch!! Delicious sandwich! 🙂
Juliana says
May 16, 2012 at 2:49 pmThis sardine sandwich looks great with the crunchiness of the cucumber…great for a light lunch.
Thanks for this easy and tasty recipe and hope you are having a wonderful week Biren 🙂
Nasifriet says
May 17, 2012 at 6:01 pmHi Biren!
You’re transformed the most common sandwich in the entire country, Malaysia, into the most daintiest snack. LOL! Love these sandwiches. Something I’d do for simple potluck’s as well 😀
Will hop over to Denise. Haven’t checked out her blog yet, but I’m thinking she’s making sardine puffs???
Biren says
May 19, 2012 at 1:54 amThanks Nasifriet! I don’t know why it took me so long to make these. Good thing my youngest son enjoyed it. I will have to make them for his lunch box. Haha…you will have to go find out if your guest is right. 😀
mjskit says
May 17, 2012 at 9:53 pmThey are beautiful little sandwiches, but I have to admit that sardines are not my friend. I know my husband would LOVE these sandwiches so He might just have a treat coming.
Marsha @ The Harried Cook says
May 17, 2012 at 10:11 pmNona-nona sounds so cute and fun! I love the little sandwiches… I am not a huge fan of sardines, but maybe I will try them with tuna? Will head over and visit Denise’s site too! Love that cute book cover! 🙂
Biren says
May 19, 2012 at 2:05 amTuna will definitely work. I think most people here prefer tuna. When I first moved here many years ago, I was curious about tuna. The texture is different but I enjoy both.
kitchenriffs says
May 21, 2012 at 11:45 amI’ve never had a sardine sandwich! I know, I know – why have I been wasting my life? Anyway, these look spectacular. Good recipe, good post – thanks.
tigerfish says
May 21, 2012 at 8:28 pmI like that these sandwiches are so easy to prepare yet to nutritious and tasty!
Magic of Spice says
May 26, 2012 at 1:36 pmThese would be so lovely for a brunch! So fun that you guyes will be continuing on with this joint series 🙂
Carole says
July 18, 2013 at 3:07 pmLovely work, Biren! Would you be happy to link it in to the current Food on Friday over at Carole’s Chatter which is creating a collection of recipes using anchovies or sardines? This is the link . I do hope to see you there. Cheers
Connie says
October 13, 2014 at 5:44 pmThose days we only used white bread, never heard of whole grain or whole wheat bread. Seems like white bread is no longer popular, but I still love them especially when making these sardine sandwiches. Just tastes better even though it is not as healthy.