January is anchovy season in Istanbul. It is the favorite of the Turkish Black Sea reason. It is small, delicious, best when fried. However it is also very smelly when fried. And ofcourse frying is always a burden.
So here is an alternative cooking method for you. Use the oven. After mixing the anchovies with olive oil and sprinkling with corn flour and salt; you are ready to cook. They will be ready in no time. Crispy and delicious. You do not have an excuse for not making them at home anymore.
If you are in Turkey, the fishermen will clean them up for you if they are not busy. Here is a short video of how they do it. You can ask them to keep the heads on and fish bone in if you like. When they are very fresh the fish bones will not be an issue even with the kids.
Enjoy these crispy anchovies with a piece of white cheese and a refreshening salad such as Fresh Spinach Salad or a side dish such as Carrot Salad with Yogurt.
Do not miss the anchovy season. Even if you do, you can use the same recipe with frozen anchovy too.
Baked Anchovy
Ingredients
- 1 kilogram anchovy cleaned
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons corn flour
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
- Have the anchovies cleaned in the inside.
- In a large bowl. Add the olie oil, salt and corn flour. Mix.
- Add the anchovies to the bowl. Mix gently so each one is coated.
- Pour all the anchovy to a baking tray.
- Set them as flat as possible so they are not one on top of the other.
- Cook in a pre-heated oven at 220 degrees until they start to look crispy. It will take about 15-20 minutes.
- Serve as soon as they are ready. Enjoy.