Subscribe: Get our latest recipes delivered to your inbox

Search
Close this search box.

Spicy Bagna Càuda with Herbs

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

IN THIS POST

I’ve never wanted to dive into a pool of oil so badly after the first time I tried Bagna cauda. It was love at first sight, or should I say … bite. It’s not the most appealing looking dish in the world, unless you just happen to be a garlic snob, like I tend to be. The first time I had Bagna cauda was at a brewery in Flagstaff, AZ. Since then, every time I see it on a menu, I order it. This is my spicy, herby version on a classic Piedmont, Italy dish. Traditionally served with anchovies, I decided to skip that ingredient, and it’s not that I have anything against anchovies. I surprisingly enjoy them. I just wanted to remove some of that saltiness, and focus on the spiciness.

 

There are many, many version of Bagna cauda out there. It’s most commonly served like a fondue, where all four ingredients (garlic, anchovies, oil and butter) have been pulverized. You normally just smear it on toast and all is well. I’ve had Bagna cauda served both ways: in whole garlic form and pulverized. I tend to enjoy the whole garlic form way just a little bit better.

There’s just something about taking a whole garlic clove and smearing it on a piece of toast and indulging.

Prepare to smell like garlic for 3-4 months (not really, but hopefully you understand the exaggeration), but as long as everyone else around you is indulging, there should be no problem right?

At least steer clear of the gym for a few days. Go for a run or something. ;)

The recipe is simple…like beyond simple. It’s best served in the fall and winter months which is why I decided to share it with you guys now! All of the ingredients, less the herbs, red pepper flakes and bread and veggies, are thrown into a small cast iron skillet or small baking dish. You bake, covered, for about 2 hours or so. The result is creamy, aromatic garlic. Top with fresh herbs and red pepper flakes.

When I say “small cast iron skillet” I mean small. You know the kind you get at restaurant chains that are served with dip (ahem…queso and spinach dip?), yeah that kind of cast iron skillet. It’s not mandatory by any means, and a tiny baking dish will do just fine.

Beer Love:

I found this beer pairing quite difficult at first. I didn’t know which direction to head. Normally, I don’t love garlic with hoppier beers (there are exceptions to my rule, this pairing being one of them), which is why I steered clear of an IPA (or higher), but I thought a style of beer that had some hop character would compliment the spice nicely. Enter, pale ale. This ended up being one of my best pairings yet and I couldn’t have been happier with the result!

Here are some examples of pale ales I just love:

Great Northern Brewing’s Equinox Single-Hopped Pale Ale

Maine Beer Company’s Peeper Ale

Harpoon’s 100 Barrel Series 50 Citra Victorious

Upslope Brewing’s Belgian Style Pale Ale

Odyssey’s Ghost Drifter

Don’t miss a post! Follow along on social media!
 

FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | PINTEREST | TWITTER | GOOGLE+

Spicy Bagna Càuda with Herbs

Servings:

4 -6

Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.

Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 5 minutes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 fresno pepper seeds and stem removed, finely minced
  • 25 whole cloves of garlic
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter melted
  • 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon fresh parsley chopped finely
  • 1 tablespoon fresh basil chopped finely
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • crusty bread or raw veggies such as carrots, celery and zucchini, for serving

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 275 degrees F. In a very small cast iron skillet or very small baking dish, add the pepper and garlic. Pour the butter and olive oil over top.
  • Cover with foil and place in the oven for 1 1/2 - 2 hours or until the garlic is golden brown and soft.
  • Garnish with fresh parsley, basil and red pepper flakes.
  • Serve immediately with crusty bread and/or raw veggies.
  • Enjoy!

[sc:adsense1]

 

You may also like:

Justine

Justine

I’m the voice, author, creator, and photographer behind Cooking and Beer. We started things about 10 years ago and Cooking and Beer has morphed and grown into what it is today: providing hundreds of recipes to thousands of people.

10 Responses

  1. oh my goodness, Justine! My husband and I would go to town on this .. love love love anything with garlic and the fresh parsley, basil and red pepper flakes is genius!!! I would devour this with crusty bread! yummm!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Hello! I'm Justine.

I’m a blogger and web developer from the beautiful state of Oklahoma, where my loving husband, two adorable kids, and two mischievous dogs keep me on my toes 24/7. My idea of heaven includes endless summer days, getting lost in a good book, and whipping up some delicious homemade bread.

FOLLOW US

subscribe for email updates

subscribe for email updates

Join our fun and engaging community on Instagram! Follow us for the latest updates, events, and promotions, and connect with us through comments, likes, or DMs. Follow us now!

Subscribe to our newsletter for a variety of delicious recipes that will tantalize your taste buds. Join our community today and stay up-to-date with the latest and greatest recipes. Sign up now!

Need help updating your brand & website? Our expert team can provide tailored solutions to give you a competitive edge. Let’s chat!