Butter Anchovy Toasts Recipes

BUTTER ANCHOVY TOASTS

Steps:

• In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment or in a large bowl with a handheld mixer, beat butter on medium speed until smooth and fluffy. Add vanilla paste, vanilla extract, and salt and beat until combined. Transfer to a small bowl or resealable container; cover and chill until ready to use.
• Preheat oven to 400°F. Arrange bread in an even layer on 2 rimmed baking sheets. Toast until bread is lightly golden brown, 4-6 minutes.
• Meanwhile, toss anchovies, oil, and pepper in a small bowl.
• While toast is still warm, spread a thick layer of vanilla butter over each. Top with an anchovy fillet and transfer to a large platter. Scatter parsley over.
• Do Ahead: Vanilla butter can be made 5 days ahead. Transfer to an airtight container and chill.

ANCHOVY AND GARLIC TOAST

Steps:

• Preheat the broiler. Put the halved baguette on a baking sheet. Rub the cut sides with the garlic clove, then drizzle with the olive oil and spread the butter on evenly.
• Place the cut anchovies evenly on the bread and broil until brown and bubbly, about 4 minutes. Cut into 12 even pieces, crunch some salt over the top and sprinkle with chopped parsley.

BRAISED LETTUCE ON ANCHOVY TOAST

Steps:

• Remove the outer leaves from the romaine, saving them for soup. Trim the stem, leaving it intact and leaves connected. Cut the head into 6 thin wedges, each wedge connected at the core/stem.
• Make anchovy butter by pounding the anchovies to a paste with the garlic paste, then mashing in 4 tablespoons butter. Combine well.
• Toast the bread.
• Warm a pan large enough to fit all of the lettuce wedges. Add remaining butter. Once it has melted, add the stock, and fit the romaine wedges closely into the pan in a single layer. Salt lightly. Cook over medium heat for about 2 minutes, and turn all the wedges to another side. Salt again, and scatter with lemon zest. Continue to cook, turning once or twice more, until the liquid in the pan is absorbed and the lettuce is very wilted on the leaf end and tender on the stem end. Turn off heat.
• In the pan or on a cutting board, cut each wedge once or twice horizontally.
• Spread each piece of toast thickly with anchovy butter, then top with the sections of a wedge of lettuce. Sprinkle each lightly with salt again, if desired. Serve hot.

BRAISED BEEF WITH ANCHOVY TOASTS

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large, heavy-based casserole dish and fry the onion for 5 mins. Stir in the garlic and bay leaves and fry for 5 mins more.
• Pour in the wine, stock and sugar. Mix the flour with the tomato purée and 3 tbsp water. Tip into the wine mixture and stir continuously until thickened. Then add the meat and anchovies, cover and leave to simmer for 1 hr.
• Stir in the shallots, carrots and olives. Cover and simmer for 1 hr more until everything is tender. Meanwhile, for the anchovy toasts, grind the anchovy fillets using a pestle and mortar until smooth (or very finely chop), then beat into the butter with the parsley and lots of black pepper. If freezing, spoon the stew into a container or freezer bag. Repeat with the anchovy butter. To defrost, put both in the fridge to thaw overnight, then reheat the stew in a pan.
• To serve, grill the slices of French bread until lightly toasted, then spread with the anchovy butter. Serve on top of the beef stew and scatter with parsley.