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
Crisp, buttery shell. Soft, flaky center. Cry!
A fancy-feeling dish that comes together in 20 minutes.
A sheet-pan wonder with lots of crispy rice.
A fam-favorite, 30-minute dinner we have on repeat.
This skillet dinner is a delightful way to use up a jug of cider.
Full of crunchy veg and a miso-maple dressing.
Enchiladas meet pumpkin in this cozy weeknight dinner.
Sticky-sweet mall-style bourbon chicken gets a fall makeover.