Fried Baccala Recipes

FRIED BACCALA`

Steps:

• Before you can cook dried baccala` you need to remove the saltiness from it. The process to remove the saltiness is to put it in fresh cold water for 12-24 hours, depending on its thickness. Change the water several times during the process. In a bowl, prepare the pastella (batter) by mixing: flour, eggs, a pinch of salt, garlic, parsley, cheese and water. Dip the pieces of baccala` in the pastella and fry in hot oil. Fry both sides of each piece of baccala` until they turn golden. Serve immediately.

FRIED BACCALà (SALTED COD FISH)

Steps:

• When you bring the dried baccalà home from the store, rinse it to remove some of the salt. Place the baccalà pieces in a large bowl and add enough cold water to cover the fish by at least two inches. Refrigerate it for four days, changing the water every 8 hours (2-3 times a day).
• When you're ready to cook the skinned and deboned baccalà, rinse it and pat it dry with paper towels or a lint-free kitchen towel.
• Use kitchen scissors to cut the fish into smaller pieces 3-to-5 inches long and 2 or 3 inches wide.
• Beat the eggs in a shallow bowl. Add the flour to a dinner plate and stir in the black pepper.
• Set up an assembly line from left to right with the baccalà, the beaten eggs, the flour and a large platter or pan to hold the fish.
• Dip each piece of cod in the eggs, letting the excess drip off. Then, place the baccalà in the flour, patting on the flour with the back of a fork. Flip the fish and flour the other side. Let any excess flour fall off and add the fish to your platter in a single layer.
• Add your avocado oil to a 12-inch frying pan and heat it on medium high. When the oil temperature reaches 350 degrees F (test it with an instant thermometer or just wait until it's starting to ripple), add about half the baccalà to the pan in a single layer. (You will need to fry it in two batches.)
• Fry the first side for 3-4 minutes (or less for thin pieces). Flip over the fish and fry the second side for another 3-4 minutes (or just 2 minutes for thin pieces). It's a good idea to remove a thick piece to a plate and cut it open to see if it's done. The fish should flake easily and not look shiny.
• Place the fried baccalà on a cooling rack positioned over paper towels to drain. (This prevents sogginess.) If you don't have a cooling rack, you can drain the baccalà on a platter lined with paper towels.
• Squeeze lemon juice onto the baccalà and serve immediately for the crispiest texture.
• Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to three days. Leftovers are delicious slightly warmed in the microwave and served with mayo for dipping, or in a sandwich.

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.

BACCALA FRITTO " FRIED SALT COD"

Steps:

• Cut soaked, skinless and boneless Cod into into bite size pieces so they can cook all together quickly in the pan.
• Heat oil in pan,use 1/2 cup or try for 1/2inch at least in pan (depending of size of pan being used).
• While cod is moist but not dripping wet, dredge well in flour.
• Shake off excess and don't worry if patches of flour look to thick.
• With hot oil, fry cold without crowding the pan and turn pieces when lightly golden.
• Drain well on rack or paper towels.
• Serve almost immediately or at room temperature.
• Fry parsley by putting into hot oil for a few seconds or till it becomes crisp.
• Place fish on serving platter with parsley and lemon wedges.

BACCALA WITH ONIONS AND TOMATOES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Heat the oil in a large flat ovenproof dish. Saute the onions and garlic in the oil.
• Arrange the pieces of salt cod on top and add the herb bouquet, tomato puree, tomatoes, and white wine. Season with pepper, sprinkle with bread crumbs and dot with butter.
• Bake for one hour and serve in the same dish, garnished with capers and lemon slices.