Bagna Cauda

Recipe by: Lou Seibert Pappas | from Fondue

Cookstr

Course: Hot Appetizer

Total Time: Under 30 Minutes

Skill Level: Easy

Cost: Inexpensive

The name of this Italian classic means “hot bath.” It invites a wide assortment of both raw and blanched vegetables for dipping. You can use good-quality canned anchovies or purchase loose-pack anchovies from a specialty market. Because this dish is rather messy to serve, it is ideal for an outdoor garden party. Just set up the fondue pot on a patio table.

Some of my friends who were of Italian heritage used to stage an annual party around this dish. Guests would bring either vegetables for dipping or a dessert. Custom decreed that eating bagna cauda would bring good health throughout the year.

Yield: Makes 6 to 8 appetizer servings

INGREDIENTS

½ cup olive oil
½ cup (1 stick) butter
4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
6 anchovies (canned or loose-pack), diced
Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)
Salt and freshly ground black pepper

dippers:

Red and gold bell pepper strips
Celery or fennel strips
Small mushroom caps
Red or gold cherry tomatoes
Zucchini or yellow summer squash slices
Jicama slices
Snow peas, ends trimmed and blanched for 1 minute in boiling water
Cauliflower florets, blanched for 1 minute in boiling water
Broccoli florets, blanched for 1 minute in boiling water
Cooked whole artichokes
and/or sourdough bread, thinly sliced

Directions

In a fondue pot over medium-low heat, combine the olive oil, butter, garlic, anchovies, and red pepper flakes, if using. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Heat until the butter is melted, stirring to blend all ingredients. Reduce the heat to low; the mixture should stay warm but the butter should not brown.

Arrange your choice of 5 to 6 vegetable dippers on a platter at the table or in individual salad bowls. Guests can dip a vegetable into the bagna cauda and use a slice of bread to catch the drips.

NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION

Nutrients per serving (% daily value)

This recipe serves 8. Nutritional information includes 1/4 teaspoon of added salt, but does not include dippers.

Calories 229kcal (11%)

Calcium 13mg (1%)

Vitamin C 0mg (1%)

Vitamin A 97mcg RAE (3%)

Potassium 26mg

Magnesium 3mg

Protein 1g

Sugar 0g

Fiber 0g