Basic Anchovy Vinaigrette Recipes

EASY ANCHOVY VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Peel and crush garlic and place on a cutting board. Sprinkle with salt and mash into a paste with the side of a chef's knife. Transfer to a small bowl. Add mustard, anchovy paste (or miso), and pepper; whisk until blended. Whisk in vinegar until blended. Gradually whisk in oil.

BASIC ANCHOVY VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Grate, press, or mince the garlic and combine with the lemon juice, anchovy paste, Dijon, salt and pepper in the bowl of a blender or food processor.
• Drizzle in the oil slowly, along with the tablespoon of water, running the machine on medium-high, until you get a creamy emulsion. Store in a pint jar in the fridge and shake before using.

ANCHOVY VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Combine all ingredients except shallot in a blender, and turn the machine on. A creamy emulsion will form within 30 seconds. Taste, and add more vinegar if necessary, about a teaspoon at a time, until the balance tastes right.
• Add shallot, and turn machine on and off a few times, until shallot is minced within the dressing. Taste, adjust seasoning and serve. (This vinaigrette is best made fresh but will keep refrigerated for a few days. Before using, bring it back to room temperature, and whisk briefly.)

SIMPLE VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Set a medium bowl on a kitchen towel shaped like an "O" (this helps keep the bowl steady while whisking). Whisk together the vinegar, mustard, garlic, 1 1/4 teaspoons salt and a few grinds of pepper in the bowl. Slowly drizzle in the oil while whisking continuously until the mixture is combined and blended well. Use right away, or refrigerate in a sealed container for up to 3 days.

ESCAROLE SALAD WITH ANCHOVY VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• For the croutons: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F; position an oven rack in the middle of the oven.
• In a large bowl, toss the bread cubes with the olive oil, salt and pepper. Spread the bread cubes on a rimmed baking sheet and bake until golden brown, 8 to 10 minutes. Let cool. (The croutons will keep in an airtight container for up to 3 days.)
• For the escarole: Preheat a grill on medium heat.
• Cut the escarole head in half, then wash and dry. Grill the escarole cut-side down to give it a little char, about 3 minutes. (Do not flip and cook the other side. We are looking for just some of the escarole to be charred.) Set aside and let cool.
• For the warm anchovy vinaigrette: In a small saucepot, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over low heat until shimmering. Add the shallots and anchovies and cook, stirring, until the shallots have softened and the anchovies fall apart and dissolve in the oil, 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in the red pepper flakes. Add the vinegar and cook, stirring, until it has reduced slightly, about 1 minute. Whisk in the remaining 4 tablespoons oil.
• Cut the escarole into 1-inch pieces and put in a large bowl. Add the vinaigrette and croutons and toss to combine. Season with salt and pepper.

ROMAINE SPEARS WITH ANCHOVY VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Cut 3 cloves of garlic into 1/8-inch thick slices and reserve the 4th clove. In a small saucepan or skillet set over moderately low heat, combine the sliced garlic with 1/2-cup of the oil and cook for 10 minutes. Strain the oil into a bowl and reserve the cooked garlic.
• In a small bowl, whisk together the vinegar and mustard, add 1 teaspoon of the anchovy, and mash with the whisk until smooth. Whisk in the garlic-flavored oil, the cooked garlic, and remaining anchovy. Season with salt and pepper.
• Brush both sides of the bread with the remaining 1/4 cup oil and season with salt and pepper. Arrange the bread in a single layer on a baking sheet and bake until lightly toasted -- about 5 minutes. When cool enough to handle, rub one side of each slice with the remaining raw garlic clove.
• Peel the eggs and separate the yolks from the whites. With the back of a spoon or a rubber spatula, push the yolks through a fine sieve into a bowl. Wash and dry the strainer and repeat with the whites.
• Choose 6 large Romaine spears and slice them crosswise into 1/4-inch thick ribbons. In a large bowl, toss the remaining whole leaves with the dressing. Arrange the leaves on salad plates. Toss the lettuce ribbons in the residual dressing and set the ribbons on top of the spears. Sprinkle with the whites and yolks and arrange the toast on the plate. Top the toast with the Parmesan shavings.

ANCHOVY VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• In a blender, purée the anchovies, vinegar, and garlic together on high speed until smooth. Reduce the blender speed to medium and slowly pour in the olive oil, blending until the vinaigrette is emulsified and thick. Season with the pepper.

NIçOISE SALAD WITH BASIL AND ANCHOVY-LEMON VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Make the vinaigrette: Using the flat side of a knife, smash garlic clove, anchovy fillets and salt into a paste. Transfer to a small bowl and stir in lemon juice, zest and mustard. Using a whisk, slowly pour in olive oil while stirring constantly. Adjust seasoning as needed.
• Place potatoes in a medium pot and cover them with 2 or 3 inches of cold water. Salt the water and bring to a boil. When water comes to a boil, continue cooking potatoes until fork tender, 10 to 15 minutes more. Add haricots verts during the last 1 minute of cooking (if using regular green beans, add them during the last 2 to 3 minutes of cooking depending on how thin they are). Drain vegetables and let sit until cool enough to handle but still quite warm. Halve potatoes, transfer to a small bowl along with the haricots verts and dress everything to coat with some (but not all) of the vinaigrette. When completely cool, toss in chopped basil.
• On a large platter or four individual plates, arrange potatoes and haricots verts, radishes or cucumbers, tomatoes and tuna, and hard-boiled eggs, if using. Scatter olives over the top and drizzle with remaining vinaigrette. Serve garnished with freshly ground black pepper, flaky sea salt and torn basil leaves.