Pasteis De Bacalhau Codfish Fritters Food

PORTUGUESE SALTED COD FRITTERS (PASTéIS DE BACALHAU)

Steps:

• Soak the cod for 24 hours, changing the water 3 or 4 times through-out.
• Cover whole potatoes with cold water in a medium pot.
• Add 1 tbsp salt and bring to a boil over medium heat.
• Cook potatoes uncovered until tender (between 15 and 30 minutes, depending on how large the potatoes are).
• Discard the water and set the potatoes aside to cool.
• In a medium pot, add the cod and cover with water.
• Bring the water to a boil on medium heat, and cook for about 10 minutes or until the fish starts to flake.
• Discard the water and place the fish on paper towel to remove excess water, and let cool.
• Remove the fish skin and bones.
• In a frying pan, heat 1/2 the olive oil on medium heat and sauté the onions for about 3 minutes.
• Add the garlic and continue to sauté for 2 more minutes being careful not to burn the garlic. Reduce the heat if necessary.
• Add the remaining olive oil.
• Flake the fish into the pan with the onions, and cook for another 5 minutes. Keep stirring to ensure the fish is completely flaked and mixed well with the onions and garlic.
• Turn off the heat, and set aside.
• Peel the potatoes and mash them completely until fluffy.
• In a large bowl, add the potatoes, sautée mixture, parsley, eggs, pepper and nutmeg.
• Use a large spoon to mix all the ingredients very well. Make sure it's all combined.
• Taste a bit of the mixture and add salt if needed. Depending on how salty the cod was, you may or may not need a little extra salt.
• If you added salt, mix well again.
• Heat the vegetable oil to 355 ºF in a deep fryer, dutch oven or other heavy pot.
• Use two spoons to form the fritters.
• Use one spoon to scoop up a serving of the fish mixture and use the other spoon to form a small portion in the shape of a tiny (American) football. See photo.
• Carefully place a fritter in the hot oil and cook, turning it occasionally for about 3 minutes or until golden brown.
• You can fry more than one fritter at a time, but be careful not to over crowd them.
• Place the cooked fritters on a paper towel-lined serving dish to soak up the excess oil.
• Serve with a fresh salad, rice or potatoes. These fritters can be eaten hot or cold.

PASTEIS DE BACALHAU (CODFISH FRITTERS)

Steps:

• 1. desalt the cod in water overnight, changing water atleast once.
• 2. Add enough water to pan to boil the potatoes and cod, cook until potatoes are done.
• 3. Remove skin and bones from cod.
• 4. Mash potatoes and cod in a bowl.
• 5. Add the egg, onion, garlic, parsley, salt & pepper, mix.
• 6. Form the fritter - take a soup spoon and scoop a good amount of the cod mixture and place another spoon on top to mold and place on wax paper.
• 7. Deep fry until browned and drain on paper towels.
• 8. Enjoy either hot or cold.

SALT COD FRITTERS: PASTEIS DE BACALHAU

Steps:

• Starting a day ahead, soak the dried cod in cold water for 12 to 24 hours, changing the water several times to remove the majority of the salt. Drain the cod, rinse, and put it in a large pot. Add the milk and enough water to cover by 1-inch; cooking the cod in milk keeps it really moist. Simmer gently over medium-low heat for 20 to 25 minutes, until the cod is tender and pliable. Drain and rinse well, then flake the cod into a bowl with your hands, removing any little bits of skin and bone.
• While the cod is cooking, pour 1-inch of water in a large pot fitted with a steamer insert. Add the potatoes and simmer on medium heat for 20 to 25 minutes until very tender. Drain the potatoes, peel off the skins, and mash them well with a potato masher or pass them through a ricer or sieve.
• Add the cod to the potatoes, along with the onion, garlic, parsley, cilantro, and eggs. Beat the mixture firmly with a wooden spoon so that it well combined and firm ¿ a spoon should stand up in it. (If you find it too dry, add 1 or 2 tablespoons of milk.) Season with a pinch of pepper and taste for salt - you may not need to add any, as the cod itself retains enough saltiness, in spite of being soaked and boiled. With lightly moistened hands or using 2 tablespoons, shape the cod mixture into egg-shaped balls ¿ you should get about 25. (The cod balls can be covered and refrigerated for up to 1 day before cooking or frozen in a container.)
• Heat 3-inches of oil in a deep heavy skillet or pot to 370 degrees F. Add a few of the cod balls at a time to the hot oil, turning them 3 or 4 times to get nicely browned all over. Carefully lift the cod fritters out of the pan with a slotted spoon and place on a platter lined with paper towels to drain. Repeat. Serve hot or at room temperature with lemon wedges.