Whenever I mention anchovies, I either hear, "Oh my gosh, I love anchovies!" or, with a slight grimace, "I'm not a fan." I've never heard anyone say, "Yeah, they're OK." It seems you either love them or you don't. If you love anchovies, then you'll love these Italian anchovies. If you are in the latter group, you'll be tempted to try them when you learn the benefits of adding them to your kitchen.
Anchovies are a great source of protein and omega-3. Anchovies are also rich in vitamins B, B3, B12, and niacin. This article from Web M.D. states, "Anchovies have many vitamins and minerals that provide major health benefits. They are best known as a source of omega-3 fatty acids, which promote brain and heart health. Anchovies also have selenium, which, if eaten regularly, may reduce the risk of some types of cancer." Anchovies also support thyroid, eye health, and Alzheimer's Prevention.
Consider this if you need more than the apparent health benefits to entice you to give them a try. A few anchovies added to a dressing or sauce add a delicious and intriguing layer of flavor. The taste is noticeable but subtle. Your family may be unable to put their fingers on what is adding this exciting taste, but they know it's good.
This experience happens with many foods, like bottled steak sauce or salad dressing. There's something in those that tingles your tongue, something in the flavor that makes it good even though you don't know what ingredients are adding the flavor. But unfortunately, what makes these store-bought products so tasty is usually salt, sugar, and artificial flavors.
Anchovies can sneak the same exciting layer of flavor into your food naturally. When you add a tiny bit, it's like, 'Oh! That's good."
Add a few anchovies to tomato sauce. They will melt into the sauce and add a nuance of flavor.
You can sneak a few anchovies into potato or green bean salads.
Take this challenge and make a homemade Caesar salad dressing with anchovies for your family. This is a delicious kid-friendly way to incorporate anchovies into your family's diet. Families have called it the magic salad because their non-salad-loving kids devour it.
If you only use anchovies in this one recipe, it's a big win for feeding your family nutritious food. You won't get bored with a homemade Caesar dressing because there're many ways to serve it. Make it 2 to 3 times a month and serve a traditional homemade Caesar salad with homemade croutons or Caesar salad with leftover roast chicken. It's also a delicious and nutritious alternative to the jar of mayo for a sandwich spread.
When you're feeling adventurous and hungry, try anchovies on buttered toast—it is sinfully delicious.
Buying high-quality ingredients are the key to any recipe. Of course, it's always better to buy fresh anchovies because they contain less salt, but they can be challenging to find. The next best option is a hand-packed tin of anchovies. My favorite brand is Agostino Rocca from Italy.
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