Skip to main content

Melted Anchovy Toast

4.0

(2)

Toast with anchovies and herbs on a plate
Photo by Renee Erickson

This preparation is all about the anchovy. Salty, garlicky, and spicy. It’s messy, oily, and addictive. This recipe actually was an accident. I had purchased some very fancy anchovies and was planning on just warming them to serve on toast, but they immediately liquified in the warm oil. And so I did what any rational person would do: I poured the resulting sauce onto a beautiful piece of toast and tasted it. So good, and among the easiest appetizers ever.

Recipe information

  • Total Time

    15 minutes

  • Yield

    2–4 servings

Ingredients

½ cup olive oil
10 anchovy fillets in oil
6 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
1 tsp. red chile flakes
Zest of 1 lemon, cut into thin julienne slices
2 thick pieces sourdough bread, grilled or toasted well and cut into 4 pieces each
Basil leaves, to garnish

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    In a sauté pan, combine ½ cup olive oil, 10 anchovy fillets in oil, 6 cloves garlic, thinly sliced, 1 tsp. red chile flakes, and zest of 1 lemon, cut into thin julienne slices. Slowly bring to a simmer over medium-low heat, stirring. Simmer for 2 to 3 minutes, until the garlic is soft and the anchovies have melted. I like to carefully turn the garlic slivers over so they cook evenly.

    Step 2

    Place 2 thick pieces sourdough bread, grilled or toasted well and cut into 4 pieces each, on a platter and spoon the sauce evenly over the toast. Finish with basil leaves.

Cover of Sunlight & Breadcrumbs with illustrated bottles and dishes
Reprinted from Sunlight & Breadcrumbs: Making Food with Creativity & Curiosity by Renee Erickson with Sara Dickerman. Photographs 2024 by Renee Erickson. Published by Abrams. Buy the full book from Amazon or Bookshop.
Read More
Bathe greens and chickpeas in a garlicky, tomato-enhanced broth. Stretch a block of Halloumi by grating and toasting it into a topping for the soup.
This easy, one-skillet chicken stroganoff features tender chicken breasts, savory mushrooms, and a creamy Dijon-crème fraîche sauce—perfect for weeknights.
The secret to flavorful, never-greasy eggplant parm? Brine the eggplant first.
A make-ahead pantry salad that's friendly on the wallet too.
Not stuffed shells. But not not stuffed shells either.
This garlicky shrimp scampi version of a classic bisque embraces the technique of blending seafood shells for a luxuriously silky and creamy end result.
A reader favorite for almost 50 years, zhuzhed up for today’s cooks.
This grandma-inspired soup is equal parts cozy and bright.