Maria’s Portuguese Bacalau

Description

This is a traditional Portuguese dish that brings back memories of mom. It is not only tasty but it is always a hit at parties. Plan ahead, because the salted cod needs to soak for 24 hours.

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds dried salted cod fish
  • 4 Yukon Gold potatoes
  • 3 tablespoons butter
  • 2 yellow onions, thinly sliced
  • 2 cloves garlic, chopped, divided
  • ½ cup chopped fresh parsley, divided
  • ¾ cup olive oil
  • 1 ½ teaspoons red pepper flakes
  • freshly ground pepper to taste
  • 4 hard cooked eggs, chopped
  • 10 pitted green olives
  • 10 pitted black olives

Instructions

  1. Soak the dried salted cod in cold water for 24 hours
  2. changing the water several times.
  3. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the soaked cod
  4. and boil for about 5 minutes
  5. or until fish flakes easily with a fork. Remove cod from water
  6. and save water for cooking potatoes. Remove skin and bones from the cod
  7. and flake the meat into pieces using a fork. Set fish aside in a large bowl.
  8. In a small bowl
  9. stir together the olive oil
  10. 1 clove of garlic
  11. 1 tablespoon of parsley
  12. red pepper flakes
  13. and black pepper. Pour over the fish
  14. and toss lightly to coat.
  15. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Place the potatoes into the fish water
  16. and bring to a boil. Cook for 20 minutes
  17. or until tender. Drain under cool water
  18. peel and cut into 1/4 inch slices.
  19. While the potatoes are cooking
  20. melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onions
  21. and saute until golden and caramelized. Stir one clove of garlic into the onions. Set aside.
  22. Layer half of the potato slices in the bottom of a greased 8×11 inch baking dish. Cover with half of the cod
  23. then half of the onions. Repeat layers
  24. ending with onion.
  25. Bake for 15 minutes in the preheated oven
  26. until lightly browned. Before serving
  27. garnish the top with green and black olives
  28. and hard-cooked eggs. Sprinkle with remaining parsley.

Prep Time: 1 day

Cook Time: 1 hr

Total Time: 1 day

Servings: 8

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