Italian Bagna Cauda (Creamy Vegetable Dip)

An Italian take on fondue, this dip is paired with your favorite vegetables and crusty bread.

Cooking Time: 20-25 Min    Servings: 4 

Products needed:

The Olive Scene Butter-All Natural Infused Olive Oil

Ingredients:

  • Raw vegetables of your choice (see below)

  • 2 c heavy cream

  • 6 to 8 cloves garlic

  • 1/4 c Olive Scene Butter Infused Olive Oil

  • or Olive Scene medium Extra Virgin Olive Oil (or a combination of both)

  • 10 finely chopped flat anchovy filets packed in olive oil, drained

  • 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper

  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (optional)

  • 1 lb loaf crusty Italian or French bread, cut into 2-inch sections

Directions:

  1. Wash and prepare the vegetables several hours before using them.

  2. Cut vegetable into strips about 3 inches long and 1/2-inch wide.

  3. Place vegetables in ice water to crisp.

  4. Before serving pat all the vegetables dry with a towel.

  5. In a large heavy saucepan over medium-high heat, add cream and garlic cloves; bring just to a boil, lower heat to medium, and cook, stirring constantly to prevent scorching or boiling over, approximately 15 minutes or until the cream has thickened and reduced by half (approximately 1 cup).

  6. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.

  7. In another saucepan, heat the olive oil.

  8. Mash anchovies with a fork and add to the olive oil, along with cayenne pepper and parsley; cook until the anchovies dissolve into a paste, approximately 5 minutes.

  9. Put the reduced cream, garlic cloves, and anchovy mixture into a blender and purée until the mixture is very smooth. (The recipe may be made ahead to this point.)

  10. In a saucepan, reheat the Bagna Cauda at a very slow simmer, stirring constantly, do not let boil.

  11. Serve in warming dish over candle or a fondue pot works well.

  12. If sauce begins to separate while standing, a few turns with a whisk will bring it back together.

  13. Take turns dipping vegetables into the Bagna Cauda (a fondue-style fork will help), holding a piece of bread under the vegetable after dipping.

  14. After dipping a few pieces, the bread will be fragrant with oil and delicious to eat.

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