Baccala In Red Sauce Food

UNCLE VINCENT'S CHRISTMAS EVE BACCALA

Steps:

• Soak the cod in cold water to cover in a cool spot or refrigerator for at least 24 hours or up to 3 days, changing the water frequently. After 24 hours, break off a tiny piece of fish and taste for saltiness. If fish is still quite salty, continue soaking until water is very clear and fish is almost sweet in taste.
• Place potatoes in cold water to cover. Bring to a boil over high heat and cook for about 15 minutes or until potatoes are almost cooked through. Drain.
• Heat oil in a large, heavy bottomed casserole over medium heat. Add the celery and saute for about 5 minutes, then add the onion and saute until vegetables begin to get soft. Add the olives and saute for an additional minute. Stir in the tomatoes and their juice. Bring to a boil. Lower heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
• Stir in broth and return to simmer.
• Stir in the potatoes and the soaked baccala and simmer for about 10 minutes or until the potatoes are cooked and the baccala flakes when poked with a fork.
• Taste and, if necessary, add salt. Serve hot.

BACALAO WITH RED PEPPERS

Steps:

• Soak the salt cod in plenty of water for 8-12 hours, changing the water five or six times. This will remove excess saltiness.
• Add the cod to a pan of boiling water and boil for 5 minutes. Drain and leave for 10 minutes or until cool enough to handle.
• Remove skin and flake the fish into large pieces, removing any bones. Place in a bowl.
• Preheat the grill. Cut the red pepper into quarters and grill, skin-side-up, until the skin blackens and blisters. Place in a plastic bag and leave to cool, then peel away the skin. Slice thinly.
• Heat the oil in a pan over medium heat, add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally for 3 minutes our till transparent. Add garlic, chili flakes and paprika and cook for 1 minute.
• Increase heat to high and add white wine, simmer for 30 seconds. Reduce heat add the tomato and tomato paste and cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes or until thick.
• Add the cod, cover and simmer for about 5 minutes. Gently stir in the sliced pepper and parsley.
• Taste before seasoning with salt. Serve hot.