Fish Cakes Portuguese Style Recipes

COD FISH CAKES

Steps:

• Place the potatoes in a large pot of water, bring the water to a boil. Let the potatoes cook until they are almost tender.
• Add the fish to the pot and let the fish and potatoes cook until they are both soft. Drain well and transfer the potatoes and fish to a large mixing bowl.
• Add butter, onion, parsley, and egg to the bowl; mash the mixture together. Mold the mixture into patties.
• Heat oil in a large skillet over a medium-high heat. Fry the patties on both sides until golden brown. Drain on paper towels before serving.

FISH CAKES, PORTUGUESE-STYLE

Steps:

• (*If using salt cod: let it soak in water overnight to remove extra salt before using in recipe. Change the water 1-2 times.).
• In a large pot put the fish and the (unpeeled, uncut) potatoes, cover with water and bring to boil. Lower heat then let everything simmer 15 minutes. Remove fish from the pot and let cool; keep cooking the potatoes until tender.
• Remove potatoes, peel and mash.
• Shred the fish by hand or with a food processor. Mix with the potatoes and the rest of ingredients (but the oil). Season to taste. With two soup spoons (traditionally) or with your wet hands (easier) form about 30 small oval-shaped balls (around 1 tbsp each).
• In deep solid pot heat about 3" of oil until hot. Drop 4-5 balls at a time and fry until golden brown. Remove with a slotted spoon and let cool on paper towels 10-15 minutes before tasting.
• Serve with a dip, or drizzled with hot sauce.

BOLINOS DE BACALHAU (PORTUGUESE COD CAKES)

Steps:

• A day or two before making the fish cakes, put the cod to soak in cold water. Change the water four or five times during this period.
• Drain the cod and rinse it well under cold running water. Cover with fresh water in a saucepan, bring to a boil and simmer for 20 minutes or until cod is soft.
• While the cod is simmering, cook the potatoes in their skins, then peel and mash with butter and milk.
• When the cod is ready, drain it thoroughly and remove the skin and bones. Shred the cod with a couple of forks. Add the creamed potatoes, parsley, mint, pepper, egg yolks, and the port. Mix thoroughly. Whisk the egg whites until stiff, then fold into the cod mixture.
• Heat the oil in a deep fryer or heavy deep pot to 375 degrees F.
• Take a lump of the mixture, about the size of a small egg, and mold it in your hand to make a torpedo shape. Deep fry, in small batches, until crisp and brown all over. Drain on paper towels and serve hot.

PORTUGUESE COD FISH CAKES

Steps:

• Rinse the salt off of the cod fish. Cover cod with cold water and soak for 24 hours, changing water two or three times. Drain off water. In a saucepan, cover cod with cold water; bring just to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 10 to 15 minutes or until tender. Drain, and when cool enough to handle, remove any skin and bones, then shred.
• In a saucepan, boil the peeled potatoes in salted water with 2 garlic cloves and hot pepper flakes just until tender. Drain and mash.
• In a large bowl, combine all of the ingredients until well mixed using a hand mixer on low. Start with using 4 eggs, but if the mixture is too dry, add another egg, one at a time (see picture).
• Heat frying pan and add a bit of oil. Form a small patty and cook on medium heat. When bottom has colour, flip and finish cooking.
• Taste the cake, and adjust the salt and pepper if needed. If the patty doesn't hold together, you may need to add an additional egg.
• Continue making the cakes, stirring the mixture often, adding oil as needed. Drain the cakes on paper towels.
• Cakes can be served hot or at room temperature.
• Note: The pimento paste is available in the international section of a store.