An anchovy is a small, common salt-water forage fish of the family Engraulidae. It can be found in the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Oceans, and in the Black Sea and the Mediterranean Sea. Anchovies are usually classified as oily fish. They are small, green fish with blue reflections due to a silver-colored longitudinal stripe that runs from the base of the caudal fin. They range from 2 to 40 cm (0.79 to 15.75 in). (Source: Wikipedia)
In Greece and more specifically in eastern Mediterranean they reproduce between April and October with a pick period during summer months. Anchovies are very common in the Greek waters and they are fished after August when fishing period begins.
In ancient Greece anchovies were very well known and very popular. Ancient romans made a broth from this fish called garum. It was oily with blonde color and spicy flavor. They took the fish, brined them in salt and let them dry under the sun. After a week they crushed the fish passed them through a fine cloth and they extracted a liquid very close to oil. All this procedure was delivered to us from the descriptions in ancient scripts.
Anchovies contain omega-3 which help the heart and the smooth blood circulation. They contain phosphorus, calcium and niacin.
Today a traditional method of processing and preserving anchovies is to gut and salt them in brine, allow them to mature, and then pack them in oil or salt. I love anchovies and I enjoy them a lot especially with legume. They are also great if we want to add a salty, spicy flavor in sauces without anyone understanding that it comes from fish. Continuing my ode to salads I went ahead and made this delicious one adding chicken and avocado. I made a sauce with chives, mayo, Greek yogurt and the surprise ingredient; anchovies. If you think that you will taste the fish in this salad, think again. I assure you that by the time this salad is in front of you and you try it you won’t even guess it has anchovies in it.
This salad, once again, combines fruit and chicken and has a delicious, unique dressing that covers both. I highly recommend it to you if you want something to impress your guests or a great summer meal for you and your family.
- 500 gr. / 1 pound precooked chicken, cut in cubes like dice
- 1 large ripe avocado, cut in cubes like dice
- Juice of half lemon
- 145 gr. / 5 oz. mayonnaise
- 85 gr. / 3 oz. Greek yogurt
- 3 to 4 anchovies (depending how salty you want it)
- ½ scallion, chopped
- 1 tsp dried tarragon
- 2 tbsp fresh chives, chopped
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tbsp tarragon vinegar
- Pour lemon juice over avocado to keep it from getting brown.
- Put all ingredients except chicken and avocado in a blender and blend until you have a smooth sauce.
- Pour it over the chicken and avocado and mix to incorporate.
- Place in the fridge for at least two hours.
- Serve over salad leaves.
- 500 γρ. ψημένο κοτόπουλο, κομμένο σε κύβους σαν ζάρι
- 1 μεγάλο ώριμο αβοκάντο, κομμένο σε κύβους σαν ζάρι
- Χυμό από μισό λεμόνι
- 145 γρ. μαγιονέζα
- 85 γρ. γιαούρτι
- 3 έως 4 αντζούγιες (ανάλογα με το πόσο αλμυρό το θέλετε)
- ½ κρεμμύδι, ψιλοκομμένο
- 1 κ.γ. αποξηραμένο εστραγκόν
- 2 κ.σ. φρέσκο σχοινόπρασο, ψιλοκομμένο
- 2 κ.σ. φρέσκο μαϊντανό, ψιλοκομμένο
- 1 κ.σ. ξίδι με εστραγκόν
- Περιχύστε με χυμό λεμονιού το αβοκάντο να μη μαυρίσει.
- Βάλτε όλα τα υλικά εκτός από το κοτόπουλο και το αβοκάντο στο μπλέντερ και χτυπήστε μέχρι να έχετε μία απαλή σάλτσα.
- Περιχύστε το κοτόπουλο και το αβοκάντο και ανακατέψτε να ενσωματωθούν.
- Βάλτε στο ψυγείο για τουλάχιστον δύο ώρες.
- Σερβίρετε πάνω σε φύλλα σαλάτας.