September 25, 2019 — Italian

Sicilian Anchovies at Casanova and Daughters

  • A few minutes
  • 4 PEOPLE
  • easy

A lovely memory of a Seven Dials gem.

We'd love to see a photo when you plate up, please share #WhatDadCooked

Share this yummy recipe with a friend on WhatsApp

Follow us on Instagram — @WhatDadCooked

We'd love to see a photo when you plate up, please share #WhatDadCooked

Share this yummy recipe with a friend on WhatsApp

Follow us on Instagram — @WhatDadCooked

What you need

Anchovies

Bread

Olive oil

Beer

ADVERTISEMENT

Dad's Recipe Tales

A couple of years ago whilst working on an article for Time Out, I was perusing and photographing a cosy and recently opened Sicilian deli and cafe, Casanova and Daughters. The cafe occupies a highly desirable nook in the corner of London’s Neal’s Yard, and sells a range of Sicilian specialty foods, including pasta, jars of sauce, olives and herbs etc. They also sell individual producer’s olive oil bright silver pots, each with an immaculate tap for filling bottles. However, there was one product which seemed to dominate all others: anchovies. There were anchovies in small jars, medium jars, large jars, and indeed, very large jars packed with several kilo grammes of anchovies. I started to wonder how so many anchovies could be eaten at one time, when I noticed a group of young Italian men arrive and take up residence at a high counter by the service area. The counter was actually the sales assistant’s service area, but became a convenient makeshift bar for this group of lads who were obviously well-known to each other and the sales assistant. The men ordered beer and engaged in good-humoured, loud banter – all in Italian.

Being quite a small shop with no customers (other than myself and the Italians) I became rather conspicuous, especially as I was carrying a camera and taking the odd photo. I was called over to join in and share their offerings. I obliged and attempted to blend in with the proceedings. This was not going to be easy – they knew very little English and I knew very little Italian. But I also sensed a culinary culture gap. For along with the beers, the men were snacking – or possibly lunching – on anchovies with a little bread. As a food lover, I do not have problems joining in all but the most extreme of communal noshes. I like anchovies, I like their distinctive accented flavour in a salad niçoise, or decorating a Russian salad, or scattered over a pizza, but in each of these dishes there are plenty of other flavours to balance the anchovy.

Don’t get me wrong. The Sicilian anchovies are possibly the best you can buy – they are soft and delicate and have a very fresh taste. However, I would need a few more anchovy-only sessions before I could say I had acquired a connoisseur’s appreciation for snacking on such a singular ingredient. Though clearly I should make the effort – judging by the quantity – and quality – of anchovies on sale at this cafe, I am obviously missing out on one of Sicily’s best kept culinary secrets.

How Dad Cooked It

Open the jar of anchovies and serve with bread and beer. Add more olive oil to taste.

Categories:
Latest Recipes
Cassoulet de Toulouse à la Pappa

A perfect winter warmer – Cassoulet!

The Laughing Cow Lightest Loaded Quesadilla

Try Dad’s loaded low-fat salsa quesadillas with The Laughing Cow Lightest x8 cheese.

Melanzane Parmigiana with Dolmio 7 Vegetables Sun Ripened Tomato & Basil Pasta Sauce

An excellent way to turn a popular Italian slow food standard into an easy and quicker family classic.



ADVERTISEMENT
© What Dad Cooked, 2024. Privacy Policy. Terms and Conditions. Twitter Instagram