Baccala Salad Recipes

BACCALA SALAD

Steps:

• Place cod in a large bowl of cold water. Refrigerate for 4 to 5 days, changing water each day.
• Drain cod and cut into 3-inch pieces. Transfer to a large saucepan, cover with water, and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to medium and cook until fish is easily flaked with a fork, 15 to 20 minutes. Drain and transfer cod to a bowl filled with cold water until cooled, 10 to 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, in a large bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, olives, garlic, and basil; season with salt and pepper.
• Drain cod and flake with a fork. Add to bowl with olive oil mixture; toss to coat. Refrigerate at least 1 hour before serving. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

MARIA'S PORTUGUESE BACALAU

Steps:

• Soak the dried salted cod in cold water for 24 hours, changing the water several times.
• Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the soaked cod, and boil for about 5 minutes, or until fish flakes easily with a fork. Remove cod from water, and save water for cooking potatoes. Remove skin and bones from the cod, and flake the meat into pieces using a fork. Set fish aside in a large bowl.
• In a small bowl, stir together the olive oil, 1 clove of garlic, 1 tablespoon of parsley, red pepper flakes, and black pepper. Pour over the fish, and toss lightly to coat.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Place the potatoes into the fish water, and bring to a boil. Cook for 20 minutes, or until tender. Drain under cool water, peel and cut into 1/4 inch slices.
• While the potatoes are cooking, melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onions, and saute until golden and caramelized. Stir one clove of garlic into the onions. Set aside.
• Layer half of the potato slices in the bottom of a greased 8x11 inch baking dish. Cover with half of the cod, then half of the onions. Repeat layers, ending with onion.
• Bake for 15 minutes in the preheated oven, until lightly browned. Before serving, garnish the top with green and black olives, and hard-cooked eggs. Sprinkle with remaining parsley.

LIDIA BASTIANICH'S BACCALA MANTECATO (CREAMY WHIPPED SALT COD)

Steps:

• Soak the salt cod overnight in a large bowl of cold water, changing the water often, to remove the excess salt. Cut the cod into 6-inch pieces and put them in a saucepan with water to cover by 1 inch. Bring the water to a boil and cook the salt cod for about 20 minutes, until it just begins to flake. Do not let the fish break apart. Remove the cod to a colander to drain and cool.
• Meanwhile, rinse the russet potato, but leave it whole and unpeeled. Cook the potato in its skin until it is cooked through and easily pierced with a knife. Let it cool, and then peel the skin away with the back side of a knife.
• Set up a food processor with steel knife blade. Put in the cooked salt cod and pulse it a few times to break up the fish. Add the minced garlic and pulse a few more times. Add the potato and light cream and turn the food processor on. Puree the mixture while adding the olive oil in a thin stream. If the mixture is too dense, thin it with some of the cod poaching liquid. Season with freshly ground pepper. The baccala is best served warm as a spread for grilled country bread or crostini, or even as a dip for crudités.

ROSé'S BACCALà SALAD

Steps:

• Put cod in a large bowl and cover with cold water by 2 inches. Soak cod, chilled, changing water 3 times a day, up to 3 days (see cooks' note, below). Drain and chill until ready to use.
• Drain cod and transfer to a 5- to 6-quart pot with 1 1/2 quarts water. Bring just to a simmer and remove from heat. (Cod will just flake; do not boil or it will become tough.) Gently transfer cod with a slotted spoon to a platter to cool slightly.
• Shred cod and stir together with celery, garlic, olives, roasted peppers, parsley, and basil.
• Stir together lemon juice, vinegar, sugar, and oil, then pour over salad, tossing to coat well. Season with pepper and chill, covered, at least 1 1/2 hours for flavors to develop.

CHRISTMAS EVE BACCALA SALAD

Steps:

• Soak cod for 2 to 3 days, refrigerated, changing water regularly. In large pot, bring 6 quarts of water to a boil, add cod and cook until fish breaks off easily. Strain and cool. After it cools, remove skin and bones, if there are any, and break into bite size pieces. In medium saute pan heat oil and saute garlic for 2 to 3 minutes. Cool. In a bowl, add cod, pour oil and garlic over, add lemon juice, peppers, olives, capers, parsley and salt and pepper, to taste. Place in serving platter and serve at room temperature.

INSALATA DI BACCALA: COD SALAD

Steps:

• Cut the hydrated cod into 2-inch by 2-inch pieces. In a large pot of cold water, add the carrot, celery, and onion. When the water begins to simmer, add the cod pieces and cook for about 5 minutes, or until the cod begins to flake. Once cooked, remove the skin and any odd bone you may find. Break up the cod and place in a salad bowl with the olives, parsley, olive oil, and salt, to taste. Mix well. Let the salad rest in the refrigerator or serve immediately.

BACCALA SALAD

Steps:

• Soak cod for 2 to 3 days, refrigerated, changing water regularly. In large pot, bring 6 quarts of water to a boil, add cod and cook until fish breaks off easily. Strain and cool. After it cools, remove skin and bones, if there are any, and break into bite size pieces. In medium saute pan heat oil and saute garlic for 2 to 3 minutes. Cool.
• In a bowl, add cod, pour oil and garlic over, add lemon juice, peppers, olives, capers, parsley and salt and pepper, to taste. Place in serving platter and serve at room temperature.