Cuban Bacalao Recipes

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.

CUBAN CODFISH AND POTATOE FRICASEE, BACALAO CON PAPAS

Steps:

• 1. The day before soak your de-boned cod fillets changing the cold water every two hours throught out the day. Before going to bed drain the water again add cold water and leave soaking overnight. The next day drain the water again add more cold water and bring to a boil, once boil starts lower the flame and simmer for 10 minutes. Remove fish from the pot and add the potatoes boil until just tender. Remove potatoes from the pot and let cool. While potatoes are cooking break fish up into pieces. Do not shredd leave in small pieces. Set aside in a dish. When ptatoes are done let cool and peel as if you were making potatoe salad. When potatoes are peeled slice potatoes in small slices. Set potatoes in another dish and proceed to make the fricasee sauce.
• 2. In a large skillet heat olive oil add the diced veggies onion, green pepper, fresh smashed garlic, parsley and cilantro. Saute until the onion is transparent and limp. Now add and deglaze with the wine. Next add the tomato sauce, vinegar, cocktail sauce, olives and capers. Continue to saute for two minutes. Now add all the seasonings. oregano, bay leaf, cumin powder, garlic powder, Goya sazon packet, black pepper and the fish broth. Continue to cook for about 5 minutes. Taste the sauce to make sure if it has enough seasonings. Do not add any salt as the cod has some salt in it. Somtimes I like to add just a touch of cayanne pepper but that is optional. Let sauce simmer for about 5 more minutes.
• 3. Now take the cod and mix into the sauce real well being careful not to break it up. Try to leave the pieces whole. Mix it into the sauce gently. After mixing in the fish add the potatoes and mix in again very gently carfull not to break up the potatoes. Throughly mix everything with the sauce. Now taste to see if it has enough salt. You may need to add just a touch of Sea salt but just a touch. You cod should still have enough salt. When making the taste test taste a piece of the fish with the sauce.
• 4. Serve alongside or on top of white Cuban rice. In my picture above I served on top of white rice with cod fritters and stuffed plantain cups with shrimp on the side. Hope you enjoy these recipes I have posted all three for you to see. LOL

BACALAO GUISADO (CODFISH STEW)

Steps:

• In a large pot, add the codfish and cover with 1 gallon of water. Bring it to a boil and cook for 10 minutes to remove the salt. Drain the cod and break it into small flakes with a spoon. Set aside.
• In a large frying pan heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the green peppers, onion, tomatoes, and culantro and cook for 2 minutes. Add the codfish, bay leaves, red bell peppers, tomato paste, and capers. Cook until the vegetables are soft, about 5 minutes. Add the boiled potatoes and cook until heated through, about 2 more minutes.
• Garnish with cilantro. Serve with rice or cooked plantains, if desired.
• Serving suggestion: white rice or cooked plantains.

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.