Skip to main content

Bagna Cauda

Bagna cauda means ā€œwarm bathā€ in an Italian dialect. Don’t let the anchovies steer you away. The strong flavors of garlic and anchovy are suspended in perfect balance in warm butter and olive oil. It is a delightful dipping sauce for raw vegetables, and it makes a tasty sauce for grilled vegetables and grilled or baked fish.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    makes about 1 cup

Ingredients

5 salt-packed anchovies
6 tablespoons (3/4 stick) butter
1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
3 garlic cloves, peeled and sliced very thin
Zest of 1 lemon
1/4 teaspoon fresh-ground black pepper
Salt

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Soak in water for 5 minutes: 5 salt-packed anchovies.

    Step 2

    Debone them and chop the fillets. There should be about 2 tablespoons.

    Step 3

    Heat some water to a simmer in the bottom of a double boiler or small pot.

    Step 4

    Put the anchovies in the top of the double boiler or in a medium-size nonreactive heatproof bowl set over the simmering water and add: 6 tablespoons (3/4 stick) butter, 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil, 3 garlic cloves, peeled and sliced very thin, Zest of 1 lemon, 1/4 teaspoon fresh-ground black pepper.

    Step 5

    Heat and stir until the butter is melted. Taste and add as needed: Salt.

The Art of Simple Food
Read More
Like spicy carrot rigatoni and weeknight-fancy ravioli with peas.
Like lemony baked salmon and strawberry shortcake roll.
Keep this easy frittata recipe on hand for quick breakfasts, impressive brunches, and fridge clean-out meals.
Like creamy butternut squash soup and brown butter toffee chocolate chip cookies.
Turn humble onions into this thrifty yet luxe pasta dinner.
Double-the-mustard chicken, gingery mustard BBQ sauce, cider-dijon pork with roasted apples, and more.
Like sweet-spicy zucchini and joojeh kebab.
A dash of cocoa powder adds depth and richness to the broth of this easy turkey chili.