Bagna Cauda

Bagna Cauda

Piedmont's "hot bath," a garlic-anchovy dip dating to the Middle Ages, served in terracotta fujot over flame, with raw winter vegetables for dipping— communal and intensely aromatic.

Prep Time 15 mins
Cook Time 30 mins
Total Time 45 mins
Servings 6

Ingredients

  • 12 garlic cloves
  • 10 anchovy fillets
  • 200ml extra virgin olive oil
  • 100g butter
  • raw vegetables (cardoons
  • peppers
  • fennel
  • celery
  • cauliflower)

Instructions

1

Garlic Preparation

Mince garlic finely. Some traditionalists mash with salt in mortar for 20 minutes until cream.

2

The Bath

Combine garlic, anchovies, oil, and butter in earthenware pot (fujot) over low flame or double boiler.

3

Slow Cooking

Cook 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until anchovies dissolve completely and garlic mellows into sweetness.

4

Service

Keep warm over candle or spirit lamp at table. Arrange raw vegetables on platter. Dip vegetables into hot mixture, catching drips with bread.

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