Poached Salt Cod Recipes

OLIVE OIL-POACHED COD

Steps:

• For the poached cod: Pat the cod dry with a paper towel, sprinkle it with salt and black pepper and let sit at room temperature for 5 minutes.
• Heat a deep medium nonstick or enamel skillet over medium-high heat. Add the coriander seeds and pink peppercorns and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Slowly add the olive oil and bring the oil to 180 degrees F. Carefully add the cod to the oil. The cod should be fully submerged; if it's not, gently flip the fillets halfway through cooking, or add more oil to the skillet. Cook until the cod is opaque, 8 to 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, for the dressing: Combine the creme fraiche, buttermilk, vinegar, cilantro and peppercorns in a blender and puree. Add salt to taste.
• For the avocado salad: Combine the avocado, radishes, shallot and teardrop peppers in a medium bowl. Sprinkle with a pinch of salt and a splash of champagne vinegar and toss gently; stir in the cilantro.
• Using a fish spatula, transfer the cod to a paper towel-lined plate. Place 1 piece of cod in the center of each of serving plates. Tuck the avocado salad next to the cod. Drizzle the salad with dressing and top with the crushed fried onions.

POACHED SALT COD

Steps:

• Divide cod between 2 large bowls and cover with cold water by 2 inches. Soak cod, chilled, changing water 3 times a day, up to 3 days (see note below). Refrigerate until ready to use.
• Drain cod and transfer to a 6- to 8-quart pot with water, onion, thyme, bay leaves, and peppercorns. Bring just to a simmer and remove from heat. (Cod will just flake; do not boil or it will become tough.)
• Gently transfer cod with a slotted spoon to a platter, discarding cooking liquid and seasonings. Serve warm or at room temperature.

POACHED COD IN TOMATO BROTH

Steps:

• Bring broth, onion, 1 1/2 cups tomatoes, potatoes, basil sprigs, red-pepper flakes, and 2 teaspoons salt to a boil in a large, deep, straight-sided skillet with a tight-fitting lid. Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, until potatoes are crisp-tender, 6 to 8 minutes. Season cod with salt and pepper, add to broth mixture, and cover. Simmer until fish is opaque throughout and just cooked through, about 7 minutes.
• Remove and discard basil sprigs. Add sugar snaps, remaining 1/2 cup tomatoes, and lemon juice to skillet, gently stirring to combine; cook just until warmed through. Divide fish, vegetables, and broth among 4 bowls. Garnish with basil leaves, drizzle with oil, and serve with lemon wedges for squeezing.

POACHED COD WITH LEMON-BUTTER SAUCE

Steps:

• Cut cod fillets into four serving size pieces and place in large pan in one layer.
• Add the milk and the water to the pan so that the fish is barely covered--if necessary add more water.
• Add the bay leaf, the parsley sprigs, peppercorns and cloves.
• Bring to a simmer and cover and cook gently for three to four minutes until fish just flakes--cooking time will depend upon the thickness of the fish--do not overcook.
• While the fish is poaching, start the sauce by melting one tablespoon of the butter in a saucepan and briefly cooking the garlic and the shallots in the butter.
• Remove 1/4 cup of the poaching liquid and add it to the sauce, stirring all the while.
• Bring the sauce to a boil, add the lemon juice and swirl in the remaining butter, one tablespoon at a time.
• Remove from the heat and add the minced parsley.
• Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning.
• Drain the fish and serve it hot with the lemon-butter sauce poured over it.

MORUE A L'ANGLAISE (COD FILLETS POACHED IN MILK)

Steps:

• Cut each fillet crosswise into two pieces. Using a pair of pliers, pull out any bones that may be left.
• Arrange the pieces skin side down in a skillet large enough to hold them in one layer. Add water to barely cover, milk, bay leaf, onion, thyme, salt and peppercorns.
• Bring to a boil and let simmer five to seven minutes or until fish is done. The thicker the fish, the more time it takes to cook. Do not overcook. Serve with egg sauce.

POACHED COD WITH LEMON-PARSLEY SAUCE

Steps:

• Mix the lemon-parsley sauce ingredients together thoroughly in a small bowl, then set aside.
• At serving time, bring the 6 cups of water to a boil in a large saucepan. Holding the fish fillets with a slotted spoon or skimmer, lower them individually into the pan, and bring the water back to a boil. Reduce the heat to very low, and poach the fish, cooking the pieces at a very light boil for 3 to 4 minutes, until they are barely cooked through.
• Using a slotted spoon or skimmer, lift the fish from the water, drain thoroughly, and arrange one fillet on each of six warm plates. Press the fish lightly with a spatula or fork to make it separate a little into flakes, which will permit the sauce to be absorbed and to penetrate the interior of the fish.
• Spoon the sauce over the fish. Serve immediately.