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Bagna Cauda

Bagna cauda means ā€œwarm bathā€ in an Italian dialect. Don’t let the anchovies steer you away. The strong flavors of garlic and anchovy are suspended in perfect balance in warm butter and olive oil. It is a delightful dipping sauce for raw vegetables, and it makes a tasty sauce for grilled vegetables and grilled or baked fish.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    makes about 1 cup

Ingredients

5 salt-packed anchovies
6 tablespoons (3/4 stick) butter
1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
3 garlic cloves, peeled and sliced very thin
Zest of 1 lemon
1/4 teaspoon fresh-ground black pepper
Salt

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Soak in water for 5 minutes: 5 salt-packed anchovies.

    Step 2

    Debone them and chop the fillets. There should be about 2 tablespoons.

    Step 3

    Heat some water to a simmer in the bottom of a double boiler or small pot.

    Step 4

    Put the anchovies in the top of the double boiler or in a medium-size nonreactive heatproof bowl set over the simmering water and add: 6 tablespoons (3/4 stick) butter, 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil, 3 garlic cloves, peeled and sliced very thin, Zest of 1 lemon, 1/4 teaspoon fresh-ground black pepper.

    Step 5

    Heat and stir until the butter is melted. Taste and add as needed: Salt.

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