Anchovy Pie Recipes

SPINACH AND ANCHOVY PIE (TORTA TA L-ISPINACI U NCOVA)

Steps:

• PIE DOUGH.
• pile flour and salt on clean surface and make a well in centre.
• add yeast and sugar in tepid water & mix with fork.
• leave for few min and add into the well.
• using fork and circular movement, bring flour from inner edge of the well and mix into water.
• when dough comes together, knead with hands until you have smooth springy dough.
• flour top of dough and cover it with cling film and let it rest for 15min in room temperature.
• PIE FILLING.
• heat olive oil on a medium to low heat.
• when hot pour onions and cook until transparent (stir occasionaly).
• pour in basil and cook for 2 minute.
• add spinach and stir well.
• turn heat on low and cover pot.
• Stir occasionaly.
• when spinach softens, add anchovies including oil and stir well.
• finally add black olives, stir well and switch off heat.
• taste before adding salt
• (and pepper) since anchovies are salty.
• uncover pot and allow to cool before outting it on top of the dough.
• preheat oven at 350 deg F.
• Prepare a baking container and apply butter on every side then put some flour and cover all sides. discard excess flour.
• roll open dough, lay it on dish.
• pour filling.
• cover filling with dough.
• when done fork surface of pie and brush with egg.
• cook until dough is golden brown.
• serve cool or warm.

COD & ANCHOVY BAKE

Steps:

• Cook the potatoes and onions in boiling water for 5-7 mins. Drain, then gently mix with the thyme, anchovies and some black pepper.
• Meanwhile, heat the oil in a pan and cook the pepper, covered, for 5 mins. Add the tomatoes, vinegar, bouillon and garlic, and cook for 8-10 mins more, uncovered, until the tomatoes have softened. You don't want this to be too wet, so continue to cook until any excess liquid has evaporated, if necessary.
• Heat the oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Lay the cod loins in a shallow ovenproof dish and spoon over the tomato mixture, then the potato and onion mixture, in even layers. Sprinkle over the cheese. Bake for 30 mins until the cheese is golden and the fish is flaking but moist. Serve with the spinach on the side.

FRESH SPINACH & ANCHOVY TART

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to fan 160C/ conventional180C/gas 4. Boil the potatoes in salted water for 6 minutes, drain and cool under the cold tap and thinly slice. Pierce the bag of spinach and microwave for 21⁄2 minutes (or wilt in a pan with 2 tbsp water). When cool enough to handle, squeeze out the excess moisture and finely chop.
• Beat the cream, eggs and 50g/2oz cheese together in a large bowl. Chop half the anchovies and add to the bowl with the potatoes, spinach and plenty of black pepper. Pour into the pastry case (don't worry if it looks quite rough as this will add to the appearance later) and top with the whole anchovies and the remaining 2 tbsp of parmesan.
• Bake for 35-40 minutes until the mixture is set and the filling is just starting to turn golden. Allow to cool for a few minutes before removing from the tin. Serve warm or cold with a tomato and basil salad, or on its own as a starter.