Salt Cod Mousse Recipes

SALT CODFISH MOUSSE

Steps:

• Put the cod in a dish and add cold water to cover. Let stand 12 hours, changing the water often.
• Peel the potatoes and cut into large cubes. Put in a saucepan with water to cover and simmer about 20 minutes. Do not overcook. Drain.
• Meanwhile, drain the cod and transfer it to a large saucepan. Cover with water and add the onions, bay leaf and parsley sprigs. Bring to a boil, lower the heat and simmer for 3 minutes or until the fish is cooked and flaky. Drain well, and discard onions and bay leaf. Carefully remove the bones and skin if necessary.
• In another saucepan blend the milk and cream. Warm over low heat. Warm the oil in yet another saucepan.
• Combine the potatoes and garlic in the bowl of an electric mixer. Beat at low speed. Add the cod and beat at medium-high speed.
• Alternately add the milk mixture and the warm oil until they are all used. Beat in the nutmeg, cayenne and white pepper. Add salt only if needed.
• Scatter chopped truffles over the dish for color and flavor. Serve warm with toasted French bread.

SALT COD MOUSSE

Steps:

• Place half the cod in a food processor with garlic and 2 tablespoons olive oil. Process, stopping machine to stir down sides once or twice, until as smooth as possible. Add remaining cod, and repeat.
• Through feed tube, add small amounts of olive oil alternating with small amounts of cream. Continue until mixture becomes smooth, creamy and light. (You may not need all the oil and cream.) Add pepper, some lemon juice and nutmeg. Blend, and taste; mixture may need salt and lemon juice. (To this point, you can prepare dish several hours ahead, or even a day; cover, and refrigerate until ready to eat.)
• Just before serving, heat brandade very gently in a nonstick saucepan or in a 300-degree oven, covered. Serve with bread, toast or crackers.

FRENCH SALT COD AND POTATO BRANDADE

Steps:

• Rinse salt cod well and rub off any salt. Soak in 2 quarts cold water. Drain and change water every few hours (an overnight soak without changing is fine). Total soaking time should be at least 8 hours.
• In a medium saucepan, heat milk plus 1 cup water over medium-high heat. Add soaked salt cod, thyme, bay leaf, peppercorns, allspice berries and clove. Adjust heat to maintain a bare simmer. Cook until fish flakes easily, about 15 minutes. Remove fish and hold at room temperature.
• Meanwhile, in another pot, cover potatoes with water and bring to a boil. Add garlic cloves and a good pinch of salt. Drain potatoes when they are soft, about 15 minutes, reserving cooking liquid and garlic.
• Put cooked garlic cloves in a small saucepan and crush with a fork. Add olive oil and heat over a medium flame until quite warm to the touch. Set aside.
• Put potatoes in a large mixing bowl. With your fingers, flake cooked salt cod on top. With a potato masher, roughly blend potatoes and fish. Drizzle in warm garlic oil and mash again. Add cayenne, nutmeg to taste and lemon zest. Stir in ½ cup crème fraîche and beat well to combine. Beat in about ½ cup cooking liquid to lighten mixture so it has the texture of soft mashed potatoes. Taste and adjust seasoning - it will probably need salt and pepper.
• Heat oven to 400 degrees. Use 1 tablespoon butter to grease a low-sided 1-quart baking dish or pie pan. Transfer brandade mixture to dish and smooth with a spatula. Paint the top with 2 tablespoons crème fraîche, and sprinkle with bread crumbs. Dot top with remaining butter. (May be prepared up to a day ahead and stored in the refrigerator; bring to room temperature before baking.) Bake until golden and bubbling, about 20 minutes.

SALT COD IN TOMATO SAUCE

Steps:

• Combine oil and garlic in a large skillet, and turn heat to medium. Add anchovies, and cook, stirring occasionally, until garlic is lightly golden and anchovies are broken up, less than 5 minutes. Raise heat to medium-high, and add tomatoes, along with a little salt and pepper. Cook a few minutes, stirring occasionally, until tomatoes liquefy.
• Add capers, olives, pepper flakes and cod. Cook about 10 minutes, stirring infrequently and gently, until cod is hot. Taste, and adjust seasoning. Garnish, and serve.