Anchovy Fennel Toasts with Roasted Red Peppers: 2000s Recipes + Menus : gourmet.com

2000s Recipes + Menus

Makes24 hors d’oeuvres

Active time:30 min
Start to finish:45 min

August 2006

Straight anchovy butter can be intense (indeed, we’ve given a range on the anchovies, so salt fiends can indulge), but the toasted, ground fennel seeds make these crunchy hors d’oeuvres taste clean, not heavy. Roasted red peppers add a burst of juicy sweetness and a hint of smokiness.

2 small red bell peppers (3/4 lb total)
2 1/2 teaspoons fennel seeds
1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter, softened
6 to 9 flat anchovy fillets (from a 2-oz can), patted dry and minced
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
24 (1/4-inch-thick) diagonal slices of baguette

Special equipment:

an electric coffee/spice grinder or a mortar and pestle

Roast bell peppers on racks of gas burners over high heat, turning with tongs, until skins are blackened, 10 to 12 minutes. Transfer to a large bowl and cover tightly with plastic wrap, then let steam, covered, about 20 minutes.
When peppers are cool enough to handle, peel, then halve lengthwise, discarding stems and seeds. Cut peppers lengthwise into 1/8-inch-wide strips.
Toast fennel seeds in a dry small heavy skillet over moderately low heat, shaking skillet frequently, until lightly browned, 3 to 4 minutes, then transfer to a bowl and cool. Finely grind fennel seeds in grinder, then stir into butter along with anchovies, lemon juice, and pepper until combined well.
Preheat broiler.
Broil baguette slices in a large shallow baking pan (18 by 12 inches) 3 to 4 inches from heat until golden, about 1 minute. Turn slices over and spread generously with anchovy butter. Broil toasts until butter is golden and bubbling, about 1 minute, then transfer to a platter. Top with bell pepper strips.

Cooks’ notes:

Bell peppers can be roasted by broiling in a shallow baking pan 5 inches from heat, turning occasionally, about 15 minutes.
Anchovy butter can be made 1 day ahead and chilled, covered. Soften butter before using, about 1 hour.
Toasts, without bell peppers, can be made 2 hours ahead. Reheat, buttered sides up, under preheated broiler until hot, about 30 seconds, then top with bell peppers.

Recipe by Alexis Touchet

Photograph by John Kernick