Sometimes it’s all about the finishing touches of a meal that take it from good to great. And Giada De Laurentiis has a recipe for a condiment that you’ll want to put on everything. It’s her Garlicky Bread Crumbs, and it’s the perfect topping for salads, pasta, chicken dishes, veggies, and more.
De Laurentiis said in a recent Instagram video that she makes the bread crumbs “probably once a week, sometimes every 10 days or so.” She keeps a pot of them right next to her stove to sprinkle on anything that needs an added kick. “It’s got this perfectly salty umami kick, and it’s got brightness with the lemon zest,” she continued. “It’s toasted, so it’s crispy, [and] the anchovies are the real kicker there.”
To make the bread crumbs, start by browning whole cloves of garlic in a bit of olive oil. Remove the garlic and add in chili flakes and anchovy filets. When everything is well combined in the oil, sprinkle in your bread crumbs — De Laurentiis likes to use panko.
When the bread crumbs are toasted in the hot oil, remove them from the heat and add a bit of lemon juice and salt to amp up the flavor. Keep them right on your counter for easy access and sprinkle them on pretty much anything and everything.
“Garlicky breadcrumbs as a kitchen staple? Yes, please!” one person commented on De Laurentiis’ post. Another said, “I have to try this! Putting breadcrumbs on a salad is like getting a crouton with every bite.”
If you’re a Giadzy subscriber, you can have full access to the recipe on De Laurentiis’ website, or you can grab the recipe in De Laurentiis’ most recent cookbook Super-Italian. Once you make your first batch, you won’t be able to stop eating all your meals with these bread crumbs sprinkled on top.
