Salt Codfish Mousse Recipes

TRADITIONAL NEWFOUNDLAND SALT COD FISH CAKES (MOM-IN-LAW'S RECIPE)

Steps:

• Soak salt fish pieces for 12 to 24 hours in a large bowl of cold water with the fish fully submerged, and place in the refrigerator (draining and changing water once or twice during that time. See Notes below).
• In a large pot of fresh water, boil pieces of salt cod for 15 to 20 minutes (there should be an inch or two of water above the salt cod, basically ensuring that it is fully submerged and covered by the water). Drain.Note: As you are cooking the salt cod, reduce the heat, if necessary, while still maintaining a boil.
• Once salt fish is cool enough to handle, remove skin and all bones (and discard), shred fish with your hands (checking again for bones and discarding) and set the fish aside in a bowl.
• Meanwhile, boil potatoes in another pot of lightly salted water until tender (there should be an inch or two of water above the potatoes, basically ensuring that they are fully submerged and covered by the water). Drain and let cool slightly. Roughly mash potatoes in the pot.Note: As you are cooking the potatoes, reduce the heat, if necessary, while still maintaining a boil.
• To pot of mashed potatoes, add onion, savoury, black pepper, salt fish and about 1 heaping tablespoon of flour. Stir to combine everything, but don't overmix.
• Using a round ice-cream scoop, form salt fish cakes (the size I made were about 60 to 65 grams each or about 2 ounces each). Pat down to form a patty. Place remaining flour in a small bowl. One at a time, lightly dredge fish cakes in flour, shaking off excess.
• Preheat oven to 200 degrees Fahrenheit to keep fish cakes warm (as you will be working in batches).
• To cook fish cakes, heat 2 to 3 tablespoons of vegetable or canola oil in a 12-inch cast-iron pan over medium heat.Note: Cook fish cakes are cooked in batches, about 4 to 5 fish cakes per batch.
• Place about 4 to 5 fish cakes in the pan. Cook for about 4 to 5 minutes on one side.
• Flip fish cakes to the other side and continue to cook for another 4 to 5 minutes or until the outside is golden brown and crispy. Transfer fish cakes to a baking sheet and place into your preheated oven to keep warm while you are finishing your batches.
• Repeat process to cook remaining fish cakes.Note: Monitor the temperature as you are cooking the fish cakes so that they don't burn. The skillet tends to get hotter as you are cooking your batches.
• Serve with mustard pickles and a drizzle of molasses (optional). Enjoy!

CODFISH MOUSSE WITH FRIED PLANTAIN CHIPS

Steps:

• In saucepan, layer the potatoes on the bottom. Then codfish, garlic then thyme. Season with salt then put enough milk in just to cover fish. Bring to a slow simmer covered with parchment paper. Simmer until fish is flaky and potatoes are tender. Remove the thyme bundle, drain the milk and process until smooth, in the bowl of food processor, using enough olive oil to smooth consistency. Season with salt and hot sauce, to taste, and stir in scallions. Serve with plantain chips.
• To a blender, add peppers and 1 cup of vinegar and puree. Add rest of vinegar if needed. Stir in pimento seeds. Store in a bottle or jar in refrigerator.
• Yield: 2 cups
• Heat oil to 350 degrees and fry chips in batches until crispy. Drain and sprinkle with salt.

ACKEE AND SALTED CODFISH (SALTFISH)

Steps:

• Soak salted codfish in water for 1 hour to release salt. In a medium saucepot, with enough water to cover the salted codfish, boil for 15 minutes. Strain, remove any bones, and let cool. Set aside.
• In a large pan with olive oil, saute onion, scallions, and garlic until onions are translucent. Add salted codfish and saute for an additional 5 minutes. Add thyme and peppers. Then add ackee and saute for 3 to 5 minutes. Serve.

SALT CODFISH MOUSSE

Steps:

• Put the cod in a dish and add cold water to cover. Let stand 12 hours, changing the water often.
• Peel the potatoes and cut into large cubes. Put in a saucepan with water to cover and simmer about 20 minutes. Do not overcook. Drain.
• Meanwhile, drain the cod and transfer it to a large saucepan. Cover with water and add the onions, bay leaf and parsley sprigs. Bring to a boil, lower the heat and simmer for 3 minutes or until the fish is cooked and flaky. Drain well, and discard onions and bay leaf. Carefully remove the bones and skin if necessary.
• In another saucepan blend the milk and cream. Warm over low heat. Warm the oil in yet another saucepan.
• Combine the potatoes and garlic in the bowl of an electric mixer. Beat at low speed. Add the cod and beat at medium-high speed.
• Alternately add the milk mixture and the warm oil until they are all used. Beat in the nutmeg, cayenne and white pepper. Add salt only if needed.
• Scatter chopped truffles over the dish for color and flavor. Serve warm with toasted French bread.

JAMAICAN CODFISH FRITTERS

Steps:

• Soak salt cod for at least 5 hours, or overnight, changing water several times, prior to cooking.
• Mix flour, garlic powder, baking powder and salt in a bowl. Add chili, scallions, tomato and stir in beaten egg. Add codfish and enough water to make the mixture kneadable. Knead ingredients and shape into 2-inch patties. Fry patties in a bit of oil in a skillet for 2 to 3 minutes until golden brown

SALT COD MOUSSE

Steps:

• Place half the cod in a food processor with garlic and 2 tablespoons olive oil. Process, stopping machine to stir down sides once or twice, until as smooth as possible. Add remaining cod, and repeat.
• Through feed tube, add small amounts of olive oil alternating with small amounts of cream. Continue until mixture becomes smooth, creamy and light. (You may not need all the oil and cream.) Add pepper, some lemon juice and nutmeg. Blend, and taste; mixture may need salt and lemon juice. (To this point, you can prepare dish several hours ahead, or even a day; cover, and refrigerate until ready to eat.)
• Just before serving, heat brandade very gently in a nonstick saucepan or in a 300-degree oven, covered. Serve with bread, toast or crackers.

CODFISH WITH CREAM

Steps:

• Soak the dried salted cod in cold water with the skin side up for 24 hours, changing the water about 4 times. Drain and discard the water.
• Preheat an oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Place the cod in a pan with enough water to cover; bring to a boil and cook for 10 minutes. Remove the cod from the pan; remove and discard the skin and bones. Cut the cod into chunks and set aside.
• Heat 1/2 inch vegetable oil in large skillet over medium-high heat. Working in batches if necessary, fry the potatoes in the hot oil until just cooked, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a plate lined with paper towels to drain.
• Pour the olive oil into a Dutch oven or heat-proof casserole dish over medium heat. Cook the onion and garlic in the oil until the onion is translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the cod and cook another 3 minutes; stir the potatoes into the mixture and cook another 1 to 2 minutes. Reduce heat to low.
• Melt the butter in a separate pan over medium-low heat; vigorously stir the flour into the melted butter. Slowly stream the hot milk into the mixture while stirring; cook and stir until thick. Season with the nutmeg. Pour into the casserole with 1 1/3 cups cream; stir to coat. Allow the mixture to simmer together for about 2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Drizzle remaining 2/3 cup cream over the mixture; sprinkle with the Parmesan cheese.
• Bake in the preheated oven until the top is browned, 30 to 40 minutes. Serve hot.

HOW TO PREPARE SALT COD

Steps:

• Rinse the salt cod thoroughly under cool running water.
• Place salt cod in a large container of cold water and soak it up to 24 hours prior to preparing the dish, changing the water several times during soaking.
• Rinse the cod again and measure the fillet at the thickest point.
• Place the soaked fish in a saucepan and add cold water to cover, then add the white vinegar, diced carrot, ribs of celery, quartered onion, any spices desired, half a bay leaf, and dried parsley or a few sprigs fresh parsley.
• DON'T add any salt!
• Bring the cold water to boiling then immediately lower the temperature and simmer the cod gently for 10 minutes per inch (remember measuring the thickest point of the fillet?) of thickness.
• When the time is up the cod is now ready to remove the skin and bones, and you can flake it and use it in any recipe calling for cooked cod.
• Note: 1 pound of unprepared salt cod will equal about 2 cups of cooked, flaked fish.