Salt Cod With Flageolets Food

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!

SALT COD WITH FLAGEOLETS

Steps:

• Cut the salt cod into quarters and soak for 24 to 48 hours in several changes of water. Soak the flageolets in water to cover for 24 hours.
• Simmer the beans in water to cover for 30 to 45 minutes, with the bouquet garni, onion and one clove garlic, crushed.
• Preheat oven to 200 degrees. Pat the cod dry with paper towels and season with pepper. Lightly brown the fish on both sides in the peanut oil. Place in a buttered ovenproof dish, sprinkle with remaining three cloves of garlic, peeled and chopped fine, and the cooked, drained flageolets.
• Pour on the heavy cream and bake for 20 minutes. Sprinkle with chopped chervil just before serving.

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.

SALT COD FISH CAKES

Steps:

• Soak cod in a large bowl with cold water to cover by 2 inches, chilled, changing water 3 times a day, 1 to 3 days (see cooks' note, below).
• Drain cod and transfer to a 3- to 4-quart pot with fresh water to cover by 2 inches. Bring just to a simmer and remove from heat. (Cod should just flake; do not boil, or it will become tough.) Drain in a colander.
• Cook onion in 1/2 tablespoon butter in a 10-inch heavy skillet over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until pale golden, about 7 minutes. Transfer to a large bowl.
• Peel potatoes and parsnip. Halve parsnip lengthwise and remove core if tough. Cut potatoes and parsnip into 1-inch pieces and steam together in a steamer over boiling water in a large pot, covered, until tender, 18 to 20 minutes. 3Add to cooked onions and coarsely mash, then cool slightly. Flake cod and stir into potato mixture along with salt to taste and pepper. Stir in egg until just combined.
• Put bread crumbs in a shallow baking dish.
• Form rounded 1/4-cup scoops of cod mixture into 12 (3-inch-diameter) cakes and transfer to a sheet of wax paper. Gently dredge fish cakes in bread crumbs to coat and transfer to a wax-paper-lined tray. Chill, covered with plastic wrap, at least 30 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 200°F.
• Heat 1 tablespoon butter and 1 tablespoon oil in 10-inch heavy skillet over moderate heat until foam subsides. Cook 4 fish cakes, turning over once, until golden brown, 7 to 8 minutes total.
• Transfer to a paper-towel-lined baking sheet and keep warm in middle of oven. Wipe skillet clean and cook remaining fish cakes in 2 batches, adding 1 tablespoon each of butter and oil per additional batch.