Sage and anchovy fritters

Recipe by:

These light, delectable fritters pair beautifully with a drizzle of lemon juice

Sage and anchovy fritters

SERVES

6

PEOPLE

PREP TIME

5

MINUTES

COOKING TIME

15

MINUTES

CUISINE

Italian

COURSE

Starter

Method

  1. First, make the batter. Sieve the flour and baking powder into a bowl. Make a well in the centre and add the lightly beaten egg.

  2. Gradually whisk in the soda water, working from the centre to the outside of the bowl to make a smooth batter. Cover and allow to rest for an hour.

  3. Heat the oil, preferably light olive oil in a deep fryer to 280°C (alternatively, use a frying pan with 6cm-7cm of oil).

  4. Meanwhile, dip a sage leaf in the batter and shake off the excess. Lay an anchovy fillet or half if they’re too long, on top and press on another sage leaf to make a little sandwich. Dip the sandwiches, one at a time into the batter, shake off the excess.

  5. Cook in batches in the hot oil, turning once or twice — a minute should be sufficient. Drain on kitchen paper and serve immediately with a lemon wedge.

Ingredients

  • 40 large young sage leaves

  • 20 finest-quality anchovy fillets 

  • lemon wedges

  • For the light batter:

  • 200g plain white flour

  • 1 tsp baking powder

  • 1 egg

  • 150ml soda water

Method

  1. First, make the batter. Sieve the flour and baking powder into a bowl. Make a well in the centre and add the lightly beaten egg.

  2. Gradually whisk in the soda water, working from the centre to the outside of the bowl to make a smooth batter. Cover and allow to rest for an hour.

  3. Heat the oil, preferably light olive oil in a deep fryer to 280°C (alternatively, use a frying pan with 6cm-7cm of oil).

  4. Meanwhile, dip a sage leaf in the batter and shake off the excess. Lay an anchovy fillet or half if they’re too long, on top and press on another sage leaf to make a little sandwich. Dip the sandwiches, one at a time into the batter, shake off the excess.

  5. Cook in batches in the hot oil, turning once or twice — a minute should be sufficient. Drain on kitchen paper and serve immediately with a lemon wedge.

ieFood

Newsletter

Feast on delicious recipes and eat your way across the island with the best reviews from our award-winning food writers.