How to create a Spanish anchovy salad that keeps your belly satisfied

My friends!! Today I bring you a delicious Spanish anchovy salad that is super easy to make and will be on the table in minutes! OR shall I say minutos? 🙂 Olé!

Spain culture as well as my Spanish partner has taught me an insane amount when it comes to gastronomy.

This is where I truly learned to cook. To pay it forward, I will be sharing a lot of recipes from Spain. You can expect LOTS of flavor here!

Since Covid-19 is still a concern, I know majority of people will not be really taking international trips this year. So instead of worrying about visiting Spain, why not bring Spain to you in the meantime?

This classic Spanish salad isn’t about being extra, it’s about being simple yet still delicious.

Muy sencillo like the Spaniards say, AKA very simple.

Cooking is one of the easiest ways to experience another culture without having to travel. Highly recommend trying this dish out. If you like fish, odds are you probably already have these ingredients at home.

Spanish anchovy salad – what you’ll need

For this anchovy salad, you’ll need 3 ingredients. Quality anchovies, quality tomatoes, and quality extra virgin olive oil.

You’ve probably already heard that olive oil = HUGE staple in Spain. So yes, no salad is complete with out our precious extra virgin quality olive oil.

Here’s an interesting fact about olive oil in Spain. There is a province called Jaen, it is located in the south in Andalucia. Jaen is known to hold the best olive oil in Spain.

The olive oil trees in Jaen provide half the entire production of olive oil in Spain and is responsible for 25% of the entire production of olive oil in the world. Thats alot of olive oil, and they even call it liquid gold!

If you are ever in Jaen, you’ll realize that there are tons of never ending olive oil trees for this reason. Production is high, and if you are even driving on the highway, you’ll definitely get a olive-y scent. You’re probably already familiar with this if you follow me on social media.

The importance of quality ingredients

As mentioned before, this dish is very simple but make sure you have quality ingredients. I have to reiterate that because if not, flavor will be compromised. 🙁 !!

Make sure you have fresh tomatoes that are either organic or from a farmers market.

Next, for Olive oil, you can use your own if you have quality olive oil at home already.

If not, try to see if you can find the brand O-Med. Specifically, O-Med Arbequina Extra Virgin Olive Oil is a classic and is known to be one of the best in Spain. It is around $36 USD and their site does international shipping.

If that doesn’t interest you, you can also try a few other brands. Other Spanish ones I recommend is Oleo and Zoe Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil.

Oleo is high quality Spanish olive oil made in Cordoba, 31$ for 2L.

Zoe Organic Extra virgin olive oil is cold pressed from Spanish Cornicabra olives. The oil is known to have a rich and fruity flavor and has a gentle price point, pack of 2 25.5 oz will run you $40 USD.

Now for the anchovies

Anchovies are a pretty big deal in Spain. Literally if you go to Bilbao or anywhere in the Basque, you’ll find souvenir shops that sell delicious anchovies as souvenirs. If you are in the area, make sure you get some butterfly anchovies!! (SO good, you will not regret it)

The ones in my photos are from the brand Lorea Gourmet and come from Cantabria, Spain, an area in the North. Lorea is part of another brand, Yurrita Gastronomika.

They have been in business for over 150 years and Lorea is the brand that gets sold to the supermarkets. Super tasty. This was around 10-15 euros for the entire case. You can find Lorea in HiperCor, Carrefour, and other big supermakret chains.

Where to find anchovies in the USA

Now, did you think I was going to let you flee with out knowing where you can get the best quality anchovies in the USA? Think not.

You can usually find canned anchovies in your supermarket, fresh ones can be tricky to find in the states.

If you can’t seem to find Spanish anchovies in a store, go to a Spanish market. Not a hispanic market, google or research a local market from Spain.

Alternatively, if you want it shipped to you and can’t find it in your “local supermarket,” here’s a way you don’t even have to leave your house! Quality literally brought to you.

Donostia foods is an importer of Spain’s basque high quality food products and ingredients.  The name has to do with Donostia-San Sebastián, a small coastal city in Basque Country in northern Spain.

Why I chose them to recommend to you is because they are from the north of Spain. Basque gastronomy is the best in the whole country. Donostia foods deliver to US, Canada, and United Kingdom.

Anchovies are something that might seem expensive for a tiny container but its quality! Trust that if its coming from Cantabria or anywhere in the Basque, it’ll be really good.

Another option that is just as good is La Tienda. Their site has Spain products as well, its just not focused on only one area like Donostia is with the North of Spain.

Last but certainly not least, you have Ibericoclub as a super solid option too. Just a bit more pricy but I think it’s worth it.

If you are raising your eyebrow thinking food being delivered is weird, don’t knock it until you try it! These reputable brands have been in business for yearsssss!

How to make the anchovy salad

Finally, the good part! Let’s make this salad!!

Ingredients

*Serves 4 people

****Refer back to the top for specific product recommendations

• 1 tin of quality anchovies (3 oz)
• Drizzle of olive oil
• 2 large quality heirloom tomatoes
• Optional – garnish of salt, oregano, and capers

1. Slice the tomatoes to your preference (i.e wedges, thin slices, etc) and spread it out on the serving plate. Drizzle olive oil onto the tomatoes. Don’t go too crazy, anchovies already have oil so this is supposed to be a little. If avoiding oil, omit drizzle.
2. Next, place the anchovies on top of tomatoes. Feel free to cut the anchovy fillets to smaller bites if thats your preference.
3. Optional – If you like extra flavor, garnish with salt, oregano, and capers. (This is something I omit, personally find the salad to be perfect with the ingredients listed above)

Make sure you tag me on social media if you make this anchovy salad. Food is something I love, would love to see your creations! If you want more food, make sure you check out how to make these Spanish desserts.

See you soon with more food hehe! 🙂