Codfish Pudding Bacalao A La Gallega Food

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 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.

CODFISH PUDDING (BACALAO A LA GALLEGA)

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350ºF.
• Place the potatoes into a medium size saucepan with salted water to cover over medium heat, cook until tender, 20 to 25 minutes.
• Next use a potato masher or a fork and mash the potatoes in a puree; then add the flaked codfish, cream, butter, and eggs, mixing well after each addition.
• Add the remaining ingredients except for the garnish, mix well, and set aside.
• Lightly oil or spray an 8" casserole or one that will accommodate the mixture very comfortably and spoon in the potato mixture.
• Now bake on the middle oven rack until golden and puffed for 40 to 45 minutes.
• Garnish with parsley.
• Serve with avocado & sliced purple onion salad (ensalada de agucate con cebollas rojas) and fried green plantains (tostones) & a loaf of bread (una libra de pan).

BACALHAU A ALGARVIA - GOLDEN CODFISH WITH POTATOES

Steps:

• Day Before: Place the cod pieces in a pyrex dish, large enough so that the pieces can be spread out flat and each be completely covered with water. Let them soak for 12 hours in the fridge, then change the water and leave them for another 12 hours.
• Cook the whole potatoes in lightly salted boiling water for about 20 minutes (done but not overcooked). Remove from the water and peel them while they are hot. Slice them into 1/2 inch cirlces and set aside in a warm place (such as a bowl with a lid). You could complete this step the day before.
• Remove the cod from the fridge, rinse it and pat dry. Remove any bones or tough parts. Cut the fish into 2 inch squares. Dredge the fish pieces in flour.
• In a saute/fry pan, heat about half of the olive oil over a medium flame. Brown the fish pieces, in a single layer, turning them so that they cook evenly. When lightly brown, remove the pieces with a slotted spoon and drain them on paper towel. Season with salt and pepper. You may need to do this in a few batches depending on the size of your pan.
• In the remaining oil already in the pan, saute the garlic and onion until lightly brown. Place the cod pieces in the middle of a serving platter and sprinkle the onion and garlic on top. Keep warm in the oven.
• Add the rest of the olive oil to the pan and saute the potato slices until lightly brown. Drain out any remaining oil and then gently toss the potatoes with the parsley. Surround the fish on the platter with the potatoes and serve. Complete the meal with a simple green salad.

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.