Pop's Tomato-Braised Sardines

Instructions

• Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in an oven-safe skillet over medium heat until warm. Add garlic powder and paprika; cook until you can smell the spices, about 1 minute. Add onion and cook until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Mix in tomato paste and cook for 1 to 2 minutes longer. Add cherry tomatoes and mix until well combined. Cover the pan and cook until tomatoes begin to release their liquid, about 5 minutes.
• While tomatoes are cooking, combine remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil with 1/2 of the lime juice. Add sardines and gently toss to coat with lime marinade.
• Set an oven rack about 6 inches from the heat source and preheat the oven's broiler.
• Remove the lid from the skillet. Pour cooking wine in with onion and tomatoes; stir well. Add water and fish sauce; bring to a boil. Lower heat and simmer until liquid begins to reduce, about 5 minutes.
• Remove sardines from the marinade and place on top of tomato sauce. Discard remaining marinade.
• Place under the preheated broiler until sardines are well cooked and some of the tomatoes are charred, 4 to 5 minutes.
• Pour remaining lime juice over the sardines and serve.