This dish is perfect for when you want something a bit special but pretty simple to pull together. The crab mayonnaise and dukkah can be prepared in advance and the fish cooks quickly so this is a great meal for an evening with friends.
For the crab mayonnaise, put the egg yolk, crab, chilli, garlic and mustard in a bowl and whisk to combine. Mix the olive oil and vegetable oil in a jug. Slowly pour the oil into the bowl in a thin stream, whisking all the time until emulsified. Season with salt, pepper and lemon juice. Then stir in the buttermilk and chopped coriander. Set aside.
For the dukka, put the seeds and nuts in a dry frying pan and place over a medium heat. Cook carefully until the spices become fragrant and the nuts start to release their natural oils. Transfer everything to a pestle and mortar and pummel to a rough paste along with the olive oil and lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper and set aside.
To cook the sardines, preheat the grill to a high heat.
Drizzle the extra virgin olive oil over the sardines and Baby Gem quarters and then season with salt, black pepper, sumac and chilli flakes.
Grill the Little Gem on all sides for about 2 minutes until lightly charred and softened Carefully lay the sardines skin-side up and cook for 2 minutes before flipping and cooking briefly on the flesh side. The sardines should be nicely charred and still a little pink inside. Squeeze some lemon juice over the sardines and lettuce.
To serve, spoon a circle of mayonnaise on a plate and then arrange the sardines and Baby Gem quarters on top followed by the dukka and some sprigs of fennel herb.
