Newfoundland Fish Cakes Recipe Cod

COD FISH CAKES

Steps:

• Soak the salt cod in cold water. Salt cod needs a long soaking to remove the preserving salt, so start at least 1 day in advance. First, wash off excess salt under cold, running water. Place fish in a bowl, or crock, of cold water and refrigerate, changing the water several times. Soak until the fish feels soft and almost fresh, this will take a good 24 hours.
• Poach the salt cod. In a 2-quart pan, add onion, bay leaf, peppercorns, and water and bring to a simmer. After 5 minutes, add the drained soaked codfish and enough water to cover the fish. Bring to a simmer. When it comes to a simmer, cover immediately, and remove pan from heat (salt cod toughens if simmered more than a few seconds). Let stand for 10 minutes or until you are ready to use it.
• Drain the fish and flake it into a bowl. In a separate bowl, mash the potatoes. Using your hands or a wooden fork, mix the mashed potatoes in with flaked cod. The portions are up to you, more potato than fish is usually the norm. Suggested seasonings to be added at this point are chopped onion, chopped parsley, pepper, etc. In a cup, beat eggs with a pinch of salt. Beat 3/4 of eggs into the fish and potato mixture. Add more egg by drops if mixture is very stiff. Add a little cornmeal if the mixture is too wet. Let cool 20 minutes for easy forming.
• In a frying pan, heat about 1/2-inch of butter or bacon grease. Shape cod mixture into small patties, being sure to flatten out the centers. Just before placing in the frying pan, coat patties with cornmeal. Fry 2 to 3 minutes on each side until browned. Remove to a tray lined with paper towels. Keep warm in 200 degree F oven while frying the remaining.

FISH AND BREWIS WITH SCRUNCHEONS

Steps:

• Place hard bread into a pot. Cover bread with several inches of cool water, place a lid on the pot, and soak 8 hours to overnight.
• Rinse salt cod under running cool water; place into a pot. Cover fish with several inches of cold water, place a lid on the pot, and soak in the refrigerator 8 hours to overnight.
• Add salt to soaked bread and bring just to a simmer over medium-low heat and simmer for 2 minutes. Drain immediately; cover to keep warm.
• Drain fish and cover with fresh water; bring to a boil. Cook until fish is opaque and flakes easily with a fork, about 20 minutes. Drain fish; remove any bones. Stir fish into prepared hard bread.
• Cook and stir fatback in a frying pan over medium heat until golden brown, about 10 minutes. Pour fatback and drippings over fish and bread mixture. Stir gently just to combine; serve immediately.

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.

CODFISH CAKES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 200 degrees. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add onion, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/8 teaspoon pepper. Cook until onions are translucent, about 5 minutes. Set aside.
• Cut fish into large chunks; pulse in a food processor to coarsely chop. Transfer to a medium bowl. Add onion, tarragon, egg, and Tabasco, and combine well. Add remaining salt and pepper. Form 8 patties (3 inches each); dredge them in breadcrumbs, shaking off excess.
• Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Cook 4 patties until browned, about 4 to 5 minutes on each side. Remove to a baking sheet, cover with aluminum foil, and keep warm in oven. Wipe out skillet, return to heat, and add remaining olive oil. Cook remaining patties, and serve immediately with tartar sauce.