Bacalao Recipes

MARIA'S PORTUGUESE BACALAU

Steps:

• Soak the dried salted cod in cold water for 24 hours, changing the water several times.
• Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the soaked cod, and boil for about 5 minutes, or until fish flakes easily with a fork. Remove cod from water, and save water for cooking potatoes. Remove skin and bones from the cod, and flake the meat into pieces using a fork. Set fish aside in a large bowl.
• In a small bowl, stir together the olive oil, 1 clove of garlic, 1 tablespoon of parsley, red pepper flakes, and black pepper. Pour over the fish, and toss lightly to coat.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Place the potatoes into the fish water, and bring to a boil. Cook for 20 minutes, or until tender. Drain under cool water, peel and cut into 1/4 inch slices.
• While the potatoes are cooking, melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onions, and saute until golden and caramelized. Stir one clove of garlic into the onions. Set aside.
• Layer half of the potato slices in the bottom of a greased 8x11 inch baking dish. Cover with half of the cod, then half of the onions. Repeat layers, ending with onion.
• Bake for 15 minutes in the preheated oven, until lightly browned. Before serving, garnish the top with green and black olives, and hard-cooked eggs. Sprinkle with remaining parsley.

BACALAO A LA VIZCAINA (BASQUE STYLE CODFISH STEW)

Steps:

• Soak the salted cod in about 2 quarts of water, changing the water 3 times over the course of 8 hours. Drain and cut the fish into bite-size pieces.
• Layer the half of each ingredient in the following order: potatoes, cod fish, onions, hard-boiled eggs, capers, garlic, olives, roasted red peppers, and raisins. Place the bay leaf on top, then pour half the tomato sauce and half the olive oil. Repeat with the remaining ingredients in the same order. Pour the water and white wine on top. Do not stir.
• Cover and bring to a boil over medium heat. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until the potatoes are tender, about 30 minutes.

BACALAO

Steps:

• Soak the cod overnight in cold water, changing the water a couple of times.
• Remove the fish from the water and clean away any bone or skin.
• In a small saucepan put in the cleaned fish, chopped onion, garlic, celery, bay leaf and white wine, and cover with cold water.
• Bring the saucepan to a boil and allow to simmer for 15 minutes.
• In a separate pan, place the potato and cover with cold water, simmer until the potato is soft, and drain placing through a potato ricer or mash them lightly.
• Heat the cream together with the butter in a separate pan until the butter has melted.
• Remove the fish from the liquid and place it in a small food processor.
• Add the cream and melted butter to the food processor and pulse lightly.
• Combine the mixture in the food processor with the potato, add the truffle oil and mix well using a rubber spatula or spoon.
• Season the mixture with salt and pepper to taste. (Do not mix the potato together with the fish using the food processor or the mixture will become starchy.).
• At ZuZu, Bacalao is served in a clay baking dish after running it under the broiler to brown it slightly.