Seafood Made Simple: Why anchovies are a chef's secret weapon to boost flavour

This weekend I’m sharing a simple little snack, perfect for entertaining at this time of year

These sage and anchovy puff pastry straws are also fantastic served with a bowl of soup. Picture: Chani Anderson

Sat, 14 Dec, 2024 - 09:00

Aishling Moore is head chef and co-owner of Goldie, the award-winning seafood restaurant in Cork city. A pioneer of gill-to-fin cooking in Ireland, and author of cookbook The Whole Catch, she's won multiple awards for her cooking and writing.

I consider anchovies to be one of the very best flavour enhancers there is.

A secret weapon in a chef’s arsenal of ingredients, they are the body in a rich tomato sauce, the umami in a salad dressing, the ultimate pizza topping and the most satiating of snacks.