This is a recipe that most people go “eww” to, until they try it. The magic is in how the anchovies and the garlic cancel out each others harsher tones, leaving a wonderful, tasty dish in it’s marital place.
Egg Pappardelle With Bagna Cauda, Wilted Radicchio and an Olive-Oil-Fried Egg
Serves 4
For the pappardelle and bagna cauda:
- ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 15 anchovy fillets
- 8 large garlic cloves, minced
- ¼ cup finely chopped flat-leaf parsley
- 12 radicchio leaves, torn into small pieces
- Grated zest and juice of half a lemon
- Kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 8 ounces egg pappardelle
For finishing the dish:
- ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 4 large eggs
- Parmesan cheese
- 1 heaping tablespoon finely chopped flat-leaf parsley
1. To make the bagna cauda, place a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the olive oil, anchovies and garlic and cook, breaking up the anchovies with a fork and stirring constantly, until the anchovies dissolve and the garlic is soft and fragrant, about 2 minutes. Turn off the heat, stir in the parsley, radicchio and lemon zest and juice. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
2. Prepare the pasta by bringing a large pot of water to a boil over high heat. Add enough kosher salt until the water tastes salty and return to a boil. Add the pasta and cook, stirring occasionally, until al dente.
3. To finish the dish, heat the olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over high heat until the oil is almost smoking, about 2 minutes. Break 1 egg into a small bowl and pour into the skillet. When it just begins to set around the edges, break the second egg into the bowl and pour into the skillet. (By waiting a moment before adding the next egg, the eggs won’t stick together.) Repeat with the remaining 2 eggs. Cook until the edges are golden, the whites are set and the yolks are still runny.
4. Use tongs to lift the pasta out of the water and transfer it quickly, while it’s dripping with water, to the skillet with the bagna cauda. Place the skillet over high heat. Toss the pasta to combine the ingredients and cook for 1 to 2 minutes more.