Salads have always been the best way to give a quick boost of nutrition to your body. One of the most popular salad ingredients is chicory. It’s a leafy vegetable that is packed with nutrients that can improve your health. They are low in calories and high in vitamins and minerals like Vitamin A, C, K, potassium, zinc, and calcium. Not only that, chicory has a slightly bitter taste that can add depth to the flavors of your salad.
However, chicory can be a bit bland on its own. In this case, adding some toppings is a must to make it more delicious and appetizing. One of the best toppings that go well with chicory is fried anchovies. They are crispy, salty, and delicious, which complements the bitterness of the chicory leaves. In this article, we will guide you on how to make a delicious chicory salad with fried anchovies.
Ingredients:
1. Chicory Leaves:
Choose two or three bunches of chicory that are fresh, crisp, and green. Wash them thoroughly with clean water and let them air dry. Tear the leaves into bite-sized pieces and keep them in a bowl.
2. Fried Anchovies:
One of the most important ingredients for this salad is fried anchovies. If you love the crispy coating of anchovies, you can buy them from your nearest grocery store. However, if you want to make them yourself, you can follow the recipe below.
Ingredients for Fried Anchovies:
– 500 grams of fresh anchovies, cleaned and deboned
– 4 tablespoons of all-purpose flour
– 1 tablespoon of cornstarch
– 2 eggs, beaten
– 1 teaspoon of salt
– ½ teaspoon of ground black pepper
– Vegetable oil for frying
Instructions:
1. Mix the flour, cornstarch, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
2. Dip each anchovy in beaten eggs and coat them with the flour mixture.
3. Heat the vegetable oil in a shallow pan until hot.
4. Fry the anchovies in batches until they turn golden brown.
5. Drain the excess oil by placing them on a paper towel.
3. Dressing:
You can use any dressing that you like for this salad. However, we recommend the classic olive oil and lemon juice vinaigrette. The tanginess of the lemon juice blends well with the anchovy’s salty flavor and the salad’s bitterness.
Ingredients for Olive Oil and Lemon Juice Vinaigrette:
– ½ cup of olive oil
– ¼ cup of fresh lemon juice
– 1 garlic clove, minced
– Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
1. Whisk together all ingredients in a bowl.
2. Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed.
Instructions:
1. Put the chicory leaves in a salad bowl.
2. Add the fried anchovies on top.
3. Drizzle the olive oil and lemon juice vinaigrette over the salad.
4. Toss the salad well to evenly coat the dressing.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, the chicory salad with fried anchovies is a perfect combination that you should definitely try. Chicory provides nutrients that are essential to our health, while the fried anchovies add a delicious crunch to the salad. Additionally, the lemon juice and olive oil dressing help to balance out the bitterness of the chicory leaves. With this recipe, you can enjoy a healthy and flavorful meal that is easy to make and can be served as a side dish or a main course.