It’s Tasty Tuesday and I have a great Italian Appetizer to share called “Spiedini”! Don’t like Anchovies? You can omit them and this is still deeeeelish!
For the Spiedini
16 slices whole-wheat bread, toasted lightly
1½ pounds Buffalo mozzarella or any freshly made mozzarella, sliced 1/4-inch thick
1 quart vegetable oil, or as needed
4 large eggs
¼ cup milk
1 teaspoon salt
pinch of ground black pepper
1 cup all-purpose flour
For the Sauce
5 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
4 garlic cloves, crushed
8 anchovy fillets, chopped coarsely
3 tablespoons small capers in brine, drained
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
⅓ cup dry white wine
¼ cup vegetable stock or water
2 tablespoons fresh Italian parsley, chopped
Pour enough vegetable oil into a wide, deep skillet to fill it by 1 1/2 inches. Heat over medium heat until the oil registers 350 degrees on a deep frying thermometer. Line a baking sheet with a double thickness of paper towels and set aside. Meanwhile, in a shallow wide bowl, whisk the eggs, milk, salt and pepper until thoroughly blended.
When the oil comes to temperature, dredge each skewered square in the flour, being sure to coat all sides lightly but well. Working with half the floured skewers at a time, dip them in the egg mixture to coat on all sides. Don’t soak the bread in the egg, just coat it thoroughly. Let some of the excess egg drip back into the bowl, and gently slip the squares into the oil. Fry, turning as necessary with a pair of long tongs, until golden brown on all sides, about 4 minutes. Drain the sandwiches on the paper-towel-lined pan and place in the warm oven. Repeat with the remaining sandwiches.
For the sauce:
Heat the olive oil and garlic in a small skillet over medium heat. Cook, shaking the pan occasionally, until the garlic is golden. Stir in the anchovies and cook until they dissolve. Stir in the capers and cook till they sizzle. Pour in the lemon juice, then the white wine. Bring the ingredients to a vigorous boil, add the vegetable stock, and boil until the sauce is lightly thickened, about 3 minutes. Stir in the parsley and remove from the heat.
Arrange the hot mozzarella sandwiches on a warm platter or plates and pull the skewers from them. Spoon the sauce over and around the sandwiches and serve.
