Anchovy Seasoned Bread

Here is the recipe for making bread seasoned with anchovies, a simple yet flavorful dish, perfect as an appetizer or snack.

Ingredients

• Homemade bread in slices
• Oil-preserved anchovies
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Garlic
• Fresh parsley
• Chili pepper (optional)
• Salt and pepper

Preparation

1. Start by pre-heating your oven to 180° C.
2. Take the slices of homemade bread and arrange them on a baking sheet.
3. Toast the bread in the oven until it becomes golden and crunchy. This should take about 5-10 minutes, but check frequently to prevent burning.
4. In the meantime, drain the anchovies from the preservation oil.
5. Peel a garlic clove and cut it in half. Rub the garlic on the toasted bread while still hot, so that they absorb its aroma.
6. Drizzle some extra virgin olive oil over the bread, then place one or two anchovies on each slice.
7. Finely chop some fresh parsley and, if you like a spicy touch, a small amount of fresh or dried chili pepper.
8. Sprinkle the parsley (and chili pepper, if used) over the anchovies.
9. Season with salt and pepper to taste, keeping in mind that the anchovies are already quite savory.
10. Serve the anchovy seasoned bread immediately while it’s still warm.

A curiosity about anchovies: this small blue fish is not only tasty but is also rich in Omega-3, which are fatty acids beneficial for the heart. Anchovies, whether fresh or preserved in oil or salt, are widely used in Mediterranean cuisine and add an intense flavor to many dishes.