Spanish Style Salt Cod Recipes

THE ULTIMATE SPANISH COD RECIPE WITH TOMATO SAUCE

Steps:

• Thinly slice 3 cloves of garlic, finely dice 1 small onion, finely dice 1/2 of a red bell pepper and 1/2 of a green bell pepper, pat down a 14 oz/400 gram fillet of cod with paper towels, cut it into 4 evenly sized pieces, then season them with sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper
• Heat a non-stick frying pan with a medium-high heat and add 2 tablespoons of extra virgin Spanish olive oil, 2 minutes after adding the oil add the fillets of cod into the pan skin side up, 2 minutes later flip the fillets, after a total cooking time of 4 minutes remove the cod fillets from the pan and transfer them into a dish and cover it with seran wrap
• Using the same pan with the same heat add the sliced garlic and diced onions into the pan and mix them with the oil, scrapping up anything that was left over from the cod, after about 1 minute add the diced bell bell peppers into the pan and cook for about 5 minutes, then season everything with sea salt, freshly cracked black pepper and a generous 1/4 teaspoon of smoked paprika and mix everything together, then add one 14 ounce/400 gram can of tomato puree, season again with sea salt, freshly cracked black pepper and a kiss of white sugar, mix it all together until well combined and lower the fire to a LOW heat
• After leaving the sauce to simmer for 5 minutes add the fillets of cod back into the pan and place a lid on top, 2 minutes later remove the lid and transfer the pan to a flat surface, serve directly from the pan, garnish with some freshly chopped parsley and a couple slices of lemon, enjoy!

BACALAO A LA VIZCAINA (BASQUE STYLE CODFISH STEW)

Steps:

• Soak the salted cod in about 2 quarts of water, changing the water 3 times over the course of 8 hours. Drain and cut the fish into bite-size pieces.
• Layer the half of each ingredient in the following order: potatoes, cod fish, onions, hard-boiled eggs, capers, garlic, olives, roasted red peppers, and raisins. Place the bay leaf on top, then pour half the tomato sauce and half the olive oil. Repeat with the remaining ingredients in the same order. Pour the water and white wine on top. Do not stir.
• Cover and bring to a boil over medium heat. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until the potatoes are tender, about 30 minutes.

SPANISH BASQUE SALT COD CASSEROLE (BACALAO A LA VIZCAINA)

Steps:

• Cut cod into 6 equal servings.
• To remove salt, soak about 20 hours in fresh cold water, changing water 4 to 5 times.
• Several hours before you plan to cook the cod, start the sauce (for which they take over 5 hours in Spain, but you may need less).
• In large skillet with cover, or Dutch oven, heat oil, 1/4 cup lard, bacon, and ham. When mixture bubbles, add onion, whole garlic cloves, and parsley. Cover, turn down heat as low as possible and cook for 3 hours, or until onion is very soft but not at all burned. Add boiling water and continue simmering for 2 hours longer, or until onions are completely fallen apart. Add more boiling water as necessary to keep from sticking. Add pimientos, tomatoes, and egg yolks mashed with bread crumbs and mixed to a fine paste with a little cold water. Simmer for a few minutes longer.
• Put everything through a sieve, food mill, or blender so you have a smooth sauce. Add salt and pepper to taste, and if you want to be authentic, a dash of cayenne.
• Meanwhile, when cod has soaked for 20 hours, dry it thoroughly with paper towels. Remove any scales, being careful not to damage the skin (which adds a smooth, gelatinous quality to the finished dish's sauce). In large saucepan, combine cod and unsalted cold water to cover; bring to a boil. As soon as water starts to boil, take out the pieces of cod; carefully remove bones.
• Grease a heatproof casserole with lard or bacon fat. In it, arrange a layer of cod; pour sauce over; repeat until all the cod and sauce are used up. Sauce should cover the fish, not drown it. Cook slowly until fish is done, about 20 minutes.
• During cooking, shake the casserole often so the sauce runs to the bottom. Also, with a wide pancake turner or spatula, losen the bottom layer of fish often to keep it from sticking, being careful not to break the pieces.
• Taste from time to time, and add salt and pepper if necessary; or a pinch of sugar if the cod is make the sauce too salty.
• Finished dish should be savory, neither too salty, too peppery, not too sweet, and of a good red color. Makes 6 servings.