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Close-up of golden brown sourdough toast topped with a savory anchovy, garlic, and chili flake oil, garnished with fresh basil leaves.
Emily Carter

Savory Anchovy Toast

This budget-friendly recipe creates a wonderfully savory and garlicky anchovy toast, perfect as an appetizer or quick snack.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings: 2 servings
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Calories: 688
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • ½ cup olive oil
  • 10 anchovy fillets in oil
  • 6 cloves garlic thinly sliced
  • 1 tsp red chile flakes
  • 1 lemon zest cut into thin julienne slices
  • 2 thick pieces sourdough bread grilled or toasted well and cut into 4 pieces each
  • Fresh basil leaves to garnish

Equipment

  • 1 Sauté pan
  • 1 Cutting board
  • 1 Sharp knife
  • 1 Grater or zester for lemon zest
  • 1 Tongs

Method
 

  1. In a sauté pan, combine the olive oil, anchovy fillets, thinly sliced garlic, red chile flakes, and julienned lemon zest.
  2. Slowly bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally to help the anchovies break down.
  3. Continue to simmer for 2 to 3 minutes, or until the garlic is soft and the anchovies have completely melted into the oil, creating a fragrant sauce.
  4. While the sauce simmers, grill or toast the sourdough bread until it is golden brown and crisp.
  5. Cut each thick slice of toasted sourdough bread into four smaller, appetizer-sized pieces.
  6. Arrange the toasted bread pieces on a platter.
  7. Spoon the warm anchovy and garlic oil mixture evenly over each piece of toast.
  8. Finish by scattering fresh basil leaves over the top for garnish and serve immediately.

Notes

For a slightly different flavor, try substituting flat-leaf parsley for the fresh basil. If you like more heat, feel free to add a little extra red chile flakes to the oil mixture. Store any leftover anchovy oil in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days, reheating gently before serving with fresh toast.