Portuguese Cod Stew Recipes

PORTUGUESE-STYLE FISH STEW

Steps:

• Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the bay leaves and paprika and cook, stirring, 30 seconds. Add the onion, bell pepper, tomatoes, garlic and 2 tablespoons of the cilantro; season with salt and pepper. Cover and cook until the vegetables are softened, about 10 minutes.
• Add 1 cup water and reduce the heat to medium low. Season the fish with salt and pepper, then nestle the pieces among the vegetables in the pan. Cover and simmer until the fish is just cooked through, 5 to 7 minutes.
• Divide the stew among bowls. Drizzle with the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil and sprinkle with the remaining 2 tablespoons cilantro. Serve with the bread.

BACALHAU (PORTUGUESE SALT COD STEW)

Steps:

• Preheat the oven (optional): If you plan to bake the bacalhoada, instead of simmering it on the stove, preheat the oven to 350°F.
• Simmer the salt cod in milk and/or water: Put salt cod in a saucepan. Add enough milk, water, or a mixture of milk and water to just cover. Bring mixture to a simmer. Let simmer for a couple minutes. Remove the fish and set aside.
• Parboil the potatoes and slice: Parboil the potatoes for 20 minutes (you can cook them in the water you used to cook the fish if you want). Slice potatoes into 1/4-inch thick rounds.
• Cook on the stovetop or bake: Place on stovetop on medium heat, and cook, covered, for 30 minutes. Or bake, covered in a preheated 350°F oven for 30 to 40 minutes, or until everything is completely cooked through. Serve with sides of rice and salad, or some crusty bread.

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.

BAKED COD PORTUGUESE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375F or 190C and grease an ovenproof dish.
• Sprinkle the cod with salt, pepper and garlic powder then set aside.
• Fry the onion, garlic and pepper in a pan to soften. Add the tomatoes and paprika and simmer for about 5 minutes until the sauce is thickened. Taste and add salt and pepper if required.
• Put your cod in the dish, pour the tomato sauce over and bake in the oven for about 20 minutes until the cod is cooked. Sprinkle the parsley over and serve.

PORTUGUESE COD FISH CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Soak salted cod in cold water overnight or for a few hours. Drain water, repeat. Heat a large pot of water until boiling. Cook cod for 5 minutes; drain and cool, leaving cod in large pieces. Set aside.
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
• In an 8x11 casserole dish, layer half the potato slices, all of the cod, and all of the onions. Top with remaining potato slices. In a small bowl, mix together olive oil, garlic, parsley, pepper flakes, paprika, and tomato sauce. Pour evenly over casserole.
• Bake in preheated oven for 45 minutes, or until potatoes are tender.

PORTUGUESE STEW

Steps:

• You will need two large saucepots. In one pot saute one onion and half the garlic in 2 to 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil until transparent. Cut Portuguese chourico into desired pieces, and add 1 pound to the onion mixture. Add 3 tablespoons crushed red pepper in vinegar.
• Do the same exact thing in the other large saucepot.
• To one pot, add 4 cups water, 1 can of tomatoes, ketchup, Portuguese allspice, if using, and chopped parsley. Let simmer for about 10 minutes.
• Add potatoes, skins on, cut in desired pieces. When potatoes are almost cooked, add fresh green beans or pea pods. Do not overcook the beans or peas unless you like overdone vegetables.
• To the other pot, add the remaining tomatoes, and wine or vermouth. Add lobster tails, clams, mussels, and fish. Steam until the shellfish opens and serve together with the stew.

PORTUGUESE FISHERMAN'S STEW

Steps:

• Bring wine to simmer in small saucepan. Add saffron. Remove from heat. Cover; let stand 15 minutes.
• Heat 1 tablespoon oil in heavy large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add leeks and onion; sauté until tender, about 8 minutes. Add garlic; sauté 1 minute. Add stock, tomatoes with their juices, oregano and saffron mixture. Simmer 20 minutes. Add sausage, mussels and clams. Cover; boil until shellfish open, about 8 minutes (discard any that do not open).
• Meanwhile, dip 1 side of fish in cornmeal. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Heat 2 tablespoons oil in heavy large nonstick skillet over high heat. Add fish, cornmeal side down, and cook until bottom is golden, about 4 minutes. Turn fish over. Ladle 1 cup of soup over. Cover and simmer until fish is just cooked through, about 4 minutes.
• Transfer fish, cornmeal side up, to 4 shallow bowls. Arrange clams, mussels and sausage around fish. Top with remaining soup. Sprinkle with parsley.

PORTUGUESE COD CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Soak a 3-litre (3-quart) terracotta baking dish and its cover in water for about 15 minutes. If you are not using a terracotta dish, preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F) with the rack in the middle position (see note).
• In a skillet over medium heat, caramelize the onions in oil. Season with salt and pepper. Add the garlic and continue cooking for 1 minute. Set aside.
• Remove the terracotta dish and cover from the water.
• Cover the bottom of the dish with one quarter of the potato slices.
• Add half the tomatoes and olives. Season with salt and pepper.
• Cover with another quarter of the potatoes. Cover with the onion and garlic mixture.
• Cover with another quarter of the potatoes, and then lay the fish on top. Season with salt and pepper. Cover with the remaining potatoes, tomatoes and olives.
• Add the broth. Adjust the seasoning.
• Cover the dish and place it in the centre of the oven. Turn the oven on to 200°C (400°F). Bake until the potatoes are tender, about 1 1/4 hours. Let stand for 15 minutes and serve.
• *Note: If you do not have a terracotta dish, you can use any ovenproof covered baking dish. In that case, preheat the oven and reduce the cooking time to about 1 hour.