Teresa's Recipes
Cardo Con Bagna Cauda
Experience the rich, savory flavors of Piedmont with Cardo con Bagna Cauda, a traditional Italian dish featuring tender cardoon sticks dipped in a luscious warm sauce made from garlic, anchovies, and olive oil. This dish is a delightful celebration of seasonal vegetables, perfect for sharing with friends and family. Often enjoyed during the winter months, Bagna Cauda translates to 'warm dip' in Italian, and it embodies the rustic charm of Northern Italy, showcasing the region's culinary heritage.
Ingredients
- 1 pound, cleaned and cut into sticks Cardoon
- to taste (for boiling water and seasoning) Salt
- 2 tablespoons Butter
- 1/2 cup Olive oil
- 6 fillets, packed in oil Anchovies
- 4 cloves, peeled Garlic
Dietary Notes
- Servings: 4
- Dish Type: Appetizer
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Calories: 250
- Fat: 22g
- Carbs: 5g
- Protein: 6g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Sugar: 1g
Instructions
- In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil. Add the cleaned cardoon sticks and cook until tender, about 10-15 minutes. Drain and set aside.
- In a mortar and pestle, crush the peeled garlic cloves with a pinch of salt until it forms a smooth paste.
- Add the anchovy fillets to the mortar and continue to crush until the mixture is well combined and smooth.
- In a pan over low heat, combine the olive oil and butter. Once the butter has melted, add the garlic and anchovy paste, stirring gently until the mixture is well blended and heated through, about 5 minutes.
- Serve the warm Bagna Cauda in a small bowl alongside the boiled cardoon sticks for dipping.
Tips
- For a twist on the classic recipe, consider adding a splash of white wine to the sauce for added depth of flavor.
- If cardoon is hard to find, you can substitute with celery or even blanched vegetables like bell peppers or carrots.
- Bagna Cauda is often served with crusty bread for dipping, which can also be a delicious accompaniment to the cardoons.