FFWD Sardine Rillettes

This was my first time trying sardines and I was pretty nervous.  My only comparison point is anchovies, which I like if they're chopped very fine and a very small component of a dish, but I don't like eating whole bites of them.  I've read about the great health benefits of sardines, though, and they're relatively inexpensive and environmentally sustainable, so I really wanted to like them.  

My grocery store had some interesting types of tinned sardines, I chose ones that were lightly smoked, since I love smoked fish and thought it might hide some of the strong flavor.  They were, however, whole and needed to be de-boned.  I know Dorie said these would have more flavor, but I have a feeling I might have been happier with fillets, I did not enjoy de-boning them (even though it was fast).  I just wasn't a fan of the smell at all.  I went on and finished making the dip, though.  

In hindsight, I'm regretting not halving the recipe.  I'm not sure what I was thinking!  This makes a lot of rillettes for two people, and would have been hard to finish even if we had loved them!  I did not love them.  I nervously ate a small amount, spread thinly on matzoh, and was not a fan.  Maybe I just psyched myself out, but it was really fishy.  My husband is braver than I am, and ate a reasonable amount spread on matzoh, with manchego on top.  He said that the manchego helped hide some of the fishiness.  I was glad he ate some of it, but definitely don't think I'll be making this one again.  We'd both prefer to just eat plain manchego!

Luckily, I had a feeling we might not like this one too much, so in addition to matzoh and a cheese plate, I served it with Dorie's Bacon, Egg and Asparagus salad.  We loved this one!  It's definitely a dinner I'll be making often while asparagus is in season.

I also caught up on two other recipes.  Last week, before Passover, I made the Cardamom Rice Pilaf.  This was also a keeper.  It was quick and tasted great.  Next time I might try it using brown rice (I'm always half-trying to eat healthier), but I'll definitely make it again.

Our two year wedding anniversary was this week, and I wanted to stay home because of Passover, so I was thrilled when I realized Michel Rostang’s Double Chocolate Mousse Cake was Kosher for Passover.  I burnt the cake a little bit and was very mad at myself - I knew my pan was bigger than the one Dorie called for but still completely forgot to adjust the baking time - but the cake still had a great texture and flavor.  If I don't make it before then, I'll definitely be making it next year for Passover.  So, even with the Rillettes, it was still a good Dorie week.  Go here to see what everyone else thought of the Rillettes.