Christmas Eve Baccala Salt Cod With Potatoes Tomatoes Recipes

UNCLE VINCENT'S CHRISTMAS EVE BACCALA

Steps:

• Soak the cod in cold water to cover in a cool spot or refrigerator for at least 24 hours or up to 3 days, changing the water frequently. After 24 hours, break off a tiny piece of fish and taste for saltiness. If fish is still quite salty, continue soaking until water is very clear and fish is almost sweet in taste.
• Place potatoes in cold water to cover. Bring to a boil over high heat and cook for about 15 minutes or until potatoes are almost cooked through. Drain.
• Heat oil in a large, heavy bottomed casserole over medium heat. Add the celery and saute for about 5 minutes, then add the onion and saute until vegetables begin to get soft. Add the olives and saute for an additional minute. Stir in the tomatoes and their juice. Bring to a boil. Lower heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
• Stir in broth and return to simmer.
• Stir in the potatoes and the soaked baccala and simmer for about 10 minutes or until the potatoes are cooked and the baccala flakes when poked with a fork.
• Taste and, if necessary, add salt. Serve hot.

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!).

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.