Frozen Anchovy Cream Recipes

FROZEN ANCHOVY CREAM

Steps:

• Line a round 8-inch pie pan or an oblong loaf pan with clingfilm.
• Drain anchovies and set a few aside for garnishing.
• Mash 10-12 fillets with a fork.
• Whip cream.
• Mix cream with mashed anchovies and one tablespoon chopped chives.
• Season with the pepper.
• Pour into prepared pan, cover with cling film and freeze for 12-14 hours (can be kept in freezer for up to one week).
• Remove from freezer 1 hour before serving.
• Unmold.
• Garnish with remaining chives and anchovy fillets, split lenghtwise.
• Keep in refridgerator until serving, should be eaten half frozen.
• Serve with baked potatoes or dark bread.

ROAST LAMB WITH ANCHOVY CREAM

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 240C/220C fan/gas 9. Put the leg of lamb in a roasting tin that it fits into snugly - you don't want a lot of room around the meat. Make about 20 small incisions all over the lamb using a sharp knife, then pack each cut with the sliced garlic, an anchovy half and butter.
• Roast for 20 mins, then reduce the temperature to 200C/180C fan/gas 6, add the wine and rosemary and roast for another 50 mins, spooning the juices over the lamb every so often.
• Transfer the lamb to a serving platter, cover with foil and insulate with towels or return to the oven, leaving the door slightly ajar. Leave to rest for 15-20 mins.
• Finely chop the remaining anchovies and heat the olive oil in a medium frying pan. Cook the anchovies and crushed garlic over a low heat, pressing the anchovies with the back of a spoon so they dissolve. Remove from the heat and quickly whisk in the cream so the mixture emulsifies. Season with pepper. Gently warm through the anchovy cream, but don't boil it.
• Skim any fat from the roasting tin and discard, leaving the juices behind. Carve the lamb and spoon over some of the roasting juices. Serve with potatoes and greens, if using, and a jug of the anchovy cream on the side.

CREAMED SPINACH PASTA

Steps:

• Add the ricotta to a large bowl; season well with salt and pepper and set aside.
• Bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta cooking water and drain.
• Prepare your sauce while the pasta cooks: If using, cook the pine nuts in a deep 12-inch skillet over medium heat until toasted, stirring occasionally to make sure they do not burn, 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer to a small bowl.
• Wipe skillet clean and melt the butter over medium-low heat. Add the garlic and sauté until pale golden, about 2 minutes. Add the spinach, stirring it in by the handful if needed, and cook until it wilts, adding a few tablespoons of the pasta water to help it along if needed, about 4 minutes. Season with salt.
• Add the cream, bring to a simmer over medium heat and cook until sauce begins to thicken slightly, about 2 minutes more. Stir in the nutmeg then season with salt and pepper. Add the cooked pasta directly to the skillet and toss until the noodles are glossy with sauce.
• Turn off heat and stir in the prepared ricotta, thinning the sauce with a bit of pasta cooking water if needed. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. Divide among bowls. Top with pine nuts, if using, and pass grated pecorino or Parmesan at the table.