Name: Fritto Misto With Anchovy Dip
Prep time: P0Y0M0DT0H55M0.000S
Cook time: P0Y0M0DT0H30M0.000S
Total time: P0Y0M0DT1H25M0.000S
Yield: 6-8 servings
Cuisine: italian
Ingredients: 4 large eggs; 6 cups whole milk; Kosher salt; 3/4 pound extra-large shrimp, peeled and deveined, tails intact; 1 pound cleaned squid, cut into 1/4-inch rings and tentacles; 1 large red onion, cut into 1/2-inch rings; 1 head Romanesca cauliflower (or 1/2 head regular cauliflower), florets cut into 2-inch pieces; 1 large sweet potato, peeled and cut into 1/4-inch rounds; Peanut oil, for frying; Olive oil, for frying; 4 cups all-purpose flour; Freshly ground pepper; 1 lemon, thinly sliced into rounds; 8 large sprigs rosemary; 8 oil-packed anchovy fillets, rinsed; 1 cup fresh parsley leaves; 1 tablespoon capers; Juice of 1 lemon; Pinch of red pepper flakes; 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

Directions

Prepare the fritto misto: Whisk 2 eggs, 3 cups milk and 1 teaspoon salt in a large shallow bowl. Whisk the remaining 2 eggs and 3 cups milk, and 1 teaspoon salt in another shallow bowl. Butterfly the shrimp with a small sharp knife, cutting along the curve from top to tail almost all the way through. Add the shrimp and squid to one of the bowls. Add the onion, cauliflower and sweet potato to the other bowl. Refrigerate at least 30 minutes, or until ready to fry.
Meanwhile, make the dip: Pile the anchovies, parsley and capers on a cutting board, then chop and mash them into a coarse paste. Transfer to a bowl along with the lemon juice and red pepper flakes. Gradually add the olive oil, whisking until emulsified. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Fill a deep fryer to the fill line with half peanut oil and half olive oil; heat to 375 degrees F. Line 3 baking sheets with paper towels. Mix the flour, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper in a large shallow dish.
Remove the onion rings from the milk mixture and dredge in the flour. Add to the frying basket along with a slice of lemon and a rosemary sprig. Fry until crisp, about 5 minutes (cover if your fryer has a lid). Lift the basket, allowing the excess oil to drain off. Transfer the onion rings to one of the prepared baking sheets and keep warm in the oven. Repeat with the cauliflower and sweet potato, coating and frying them in batches and adding a lemon slice and rosemary sprig to each batch. (Make sure the oil reaches at least 365 degrees F between batches.) Transfer the vegetables to the prepared baking sheets and keep warm in the oven.
Coat and fry the shrimp and squid in small batches in the same manner. Sprinkle the fritto misto with salt while it's hot and transfer to a platter. Serve with the dip.