Recipe courtesy of Eric Adjepong
Fried Anchovies with Charred Leeks and Anchovy Dressing
- Level: Intermediate
- Yield: 4 to 6 servings
-
- Nutritional Analysis
- Per Serving
- Serving Size
- 1 of 6 servings
- Calories
- 717
- Total Fat
- 52
- Saturated Fat
- 5
- Carbohydrates
- 41
- Dietary Fiber
- 4
- Sugar
- 4
- Protein
- 24
- Cholesterol
- 111
- Sodium
- 590
- Total: 1 hr 20 min
- Active: 1 hr 15 min
Ingredients
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 to 2 cups neutral oil, for frying
14 ounces leeks, trimmed
3 tablespoons rapeseed oil
6 anchovies in oil
1 clove garlic, roughly chopped
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 lemon, juiced
2 large egg yolks
1 tablespoon finely grated Parmesan
1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh dill plus dill tops for garnish
1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh tarragon
1 pound whole fresh anchovies
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup stone-ground white cornmeal
2 teaspoons garlic powder
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
2 ounces hazelnuts, toasted and chopped
Directions
Special equipment:
a deep-fryer- Heat a grill to its highest setting and bring a large pan of salted water to a boil. Preheat a deep-fryer with the neutral oil to 375 degrees F.
- Wash the leeks, then remove and discard the outer layers and add to the boiling water. Cook until starting to soften, about 2 minutes, then immediately transfer to a bowl of ice-cold water until cold. Drain the leeks and pat dry, then cut in half lengthways, and put on a baking tray cut-side down. Rub over 2 tablespoons of the rapeseed oil and season with salt and pepper. Grill the leeks until charred, about 5 minutes. Remove to a work surface and let cool enough to handle, then cut into bite-sized pieces.
- Blitz the anchovies in oil and garlic in a food processor to form a paste. With the motor running, add the mustard, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, the egg yolks and some salt and pepper, then gradually add the remaining tablespoon rapeseed oil, drop by drop, until the sauce has thickened and emulsified. Stir in the Parmesan, chopped dill and tarragon, then taste for seasoning and add more lemon juice if desired. Add water to the bowl until it is a drizzling consistency. Set aside for serving.
- Clean the fresh anchovies by removing the heads and innards. (Remove the innards by running your thumb along the inside of the bellies. Rinse the anchovies, then pat dry and set aside over ice.
- Add the flour, cornmeal, garlic powder, cayenne, 2 teaspoons salt and pepper to taste to a medium bowl. Roll the fresh anchovies one by one in the seasoned flour, coating them on all sides. Fry in batches until golden brown, a couple of minutes.
- Spoon the anchovy dressing on the bottom of a platter. Top with the toasted hazelnuts, leeks, fried anchovies and dill tops.