Salt Cod BaccalÁ In Tomato Sauce Food

BACCALA IN RED SAUCE

Steps:

• Soak cod in water for 2 to 3 days, refrigerated, changing water every day. In large casserole, heat oil and add onion and celery. Saute until golden brown. Add olives. Add white wine. Reduce by half. Stir in tomatoes and broth. Bring to a boil. Lower to simmer. Add potatoes and cod and cook until cod breaks off with a fork and the potatoes are tender. Taste, add parsley and season with salt and pepper. Serve hot.
• Salt may not be necessary.

BACCALA ALLA PIZZAIOLA: COD WITH TOMATO

Steps:

• Ready to use, hydrated cod can be found at most fish shops. However, if you choose to buy dry salted cod, soak it in a large bowl of cold water for 2 to 3 days, changing the water 3 to 4 times a day. This will rehydrate the cod and ensure that it is not too salty.
• Cut the cod into 2 by 2-inch pieces. Lightly dredge the cod in flour, shaking off any excess, and set aside.
• In a large saucepan, heat 1 cup of the extra-virgin olive oil. Make sure the oil is hot before adding the cod, otherwise the cod will absorb the excess oil. Cook until golden brown on both sides.
• In another saucepan, heat the remaining 1/4 cup oil. Add the garlic, chili peppers, and capers, and let cook for a few minutes. Add the plum tomatoes along with the juices and crush some of the plum tomatoes with a wooden spoon. Add the oregano, season with salt, and cook for 5 minutes.
• Put the cod in the sauce and cook for an additional 2 minutes. Sprinkle the dish with fresh parsley and serve warm or at room temperature.

SALT COD WITH TOMATOES AND CAPERS (BACCALà ALLA VESUVIANA)

Steps:

• In large bowl, combine cod with water to cover by 2 inches. Cover and refrigerate, changing water 3 times a day, 1 to 3 days (see cooks' note, below). Refrigerate until ready to use.
• In small bowl, combine capers with water to cover by 1 inch. Cover and refrigerate 1 day, changing water 3 times.
• Drain and rinse capers, then squeeze dry. Drain cod and pat dry, then cut into 4- by 2-inch pieces.
• In heavy 6- to 8-quart pot over moderate heat, heat 3 tablespoons oil until hot but not smoking. Add onion and sauté until softened and golden, 3 to 4 minutes. Add red pepper flakes, capers, tomatoes and juice, and salt. Using wooden spoon, gently crush tomatoes. Bring to simmer, then carefully add cod. Add parsley and 1/4 cup mint and gently spoon some of sauce over cod. Simmer, uncovered, until cod is tender and heated through, about 5 minutes.
• Using slotted spatula, transfer cod to serving platter. Remove pot from heat and stir in 3 tablespoons olive oil. Spoon sauce over fish, then sprinkle with remaining 1 tablespoon mint and 1 tablespoon olive oil. Serve warm or at room temperature.

CHRISTMAS EVE BACCALA (SALT COD WITH POTATOES & TOMATOES)

Steps:

• PREPARE THE BACCALA: Three days before cooking, place the pieces of dried cod (baccala) in a large pan, cover with cold water, and refrigerate. (Do yourself a favor and cover the pan tightly with plastic wrap AND aluminum foil, or your refrigerator will be filled with a very strong fishy smell!) Soak for 3 days to remove the salt. Turn the pieces of fish occasionally and change the water every 6 to 8 hours. By the third day, the cod will be plump, soft, fleshy, and well hydrated. Rinse under cold water and pat dry. The baccala is now ready for the recipe. (This is NOT part of the preparation time listed in the recipe).
• Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
• Remove any skin and bones from the fish, dry with paper towels, and cut into 6 pieces.
• Grease a 9x12-inch-deep oven-proof dish with 1 tablespoon olive oil. Layer with half the potatoes, half the onions, half the cod, and half the tomatoes. Sprinkle with half the parsley.
• Add the raisins, toasted pignoli, capers, olives, and the rest of the potatoes, onions and cod. Pour in the rest of the tomatoes with the juices. Season with the salt, pepper, and the remaining parsley. Drizzle the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil over the top and bake, uncovered, for 45 to 50 minutes, or until potatoes are tender.
• Remove from the oven and let rest for 10 minutes. Serve in soup bowls.
• Remember, on Christmas Eve, this is only one of, at least, seven fish or seafood dishes that are to follow in the same meal. This recipe serves 6, as a part of a larger meal. If you are making only this recipe, you will probably want to double or triple it.
• Enjoy & Buono Natale (Merry Christmas!).