Best Cod Portuguese Recipes

BACALHAU PORTUGUESE AO FORNO (SALT COD WITH TOMATOES AND OLIVES)

Steps:

• Soak cod in a large bowl of water in the refrigerator for 24 hours, changing soaking water 4 times to remove excess salt.
• Drain water off cod; add lemon juice and salt. Let marinate in the refrigerator, about 1 hour.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Arrange layers of cod, potatoes, onions, and tomatoes in a large baking dish. Place bay leaves on top. Drizzle olive oil over baking dish and season with salt.
• Bake in the preheated oven until potatoes are tender and cod flakes easily with a fork, about 30 minutes. Add olives and parsley and continue baking until heated through, about 3 minutes more.

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.

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 BACALHAU à BRáS (SALT COD AND POTATOES)

Steps:

• Note: Soak Cod fish in water overnight.
• Next day change water and place Cod in a pot with enough water to cover it. Boil for about 15 minutes. Drain and let cool. Once Cod has cooled, flake it.
• Add 1 tbsp of olive oil to non stick pan and fry potatoes in batches each time using another tbsp of olive oil if necessary.
• Place paper towel on the bottom of a glass dish safe for the oven and keep fries warm in the oven.
• Once you are done with the potatoes add 1 tbsp of olive oil to pan and add the bay leaf. Simmer for about 2-3 minutes. remove bay leafs from pan (discard).
• add garlic, onions (pepper flakes if using) to the pan and saute until onions begin to soften.
• add the parsley and let saute a bit.
• add flaked Cod and keep tossing until Cod gets warm.
• add the eggs, keep stirring so not to let the eggs stick to pan. this mixture will start to look like scrambled eggs.
• Once you are done with your Cod and eggs mixture.
• Combine fries with Cod mixture.
• add olives if using.
• taste, add salt and black pepper if needed.
• when serving squeeze lemon juice from a slice of lemon ontop.
• add dash of tabsco sauce if using.
• Enjoy.

BOLINOS DE BACALHAU (PORTUGUESE COD CAKES)

Steps:

• A day or two before making the fish cakes, put the cod to soak in cold water. Change the water four or five times during this period.
• Drain the cod and rinse it well under cold running water. Cover with fresh water in a saucepan, bring to a boil and simmer for 20 minutes or until cod is soft.
• While the cod is simmering, cook the potatoes in their skins, then peel and mash with butter and milk.
• When the cod is ready, drain it thoroughly and remove the skin and bones. Shred the cod with a couple of forks. Add the creamed potatoes, parsley, mint, pepper, egg yolks, and the port. Mix thoroughly. Whisk the egg whites until stiff, then fold into the cod mixture.
• Heat the oil in a deep fryer or heavy deep pot to 375 degrees F.
• Take a lump of the mixture, about the size of a small egg, and mold it in your hand to make a torpedo shape. Deep fry, in small batches, until crisp and brown all over. Drain on paper towels and serve hot.

COD PORTUGUESE

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a heavy fry pan and saute the onion, garlic and pepper for about 5-7 minutes until softened.
• Add the tomatoes, paprika and orange juice. Season, stir well and simmer for a further 5 minutes.
• Lay the fish fillets on top, cutting them to fit the pan if necessary.
• Season lightly, cover and simmer gently for 12-15 minutes or until the fish is cooked but still firm.
• Transfer to serving dishes and sprinkle with parsley.
• Serve.

CAPE COD PORTUGUESE KALE SOUP

Steps:

• Soak beans overnight in cold water. In morning, drain beans.
• ("OR" used canned beans and cut down cooking time.).
• In large pot, add beans, onions, sausage, kale, salt/pepper, vinegar, beef broth and 2 cups of the water.
• Bring to boil. Reduce heat, cook gently for 3 hours.
• Add potatoes and 1 or 2 cups more water.
• Continue cooking until potatoes are tender.

PORTUGUESE COD FISH CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350°F.
• Cut the potatoes into quarters and boil in salted water with 3 whole garlic cloves, just until tender (do not overcook). Drain and place in a large bowl. Rinse the olives, then add to the bowl with the potatoes.
• Shred the cooked cod fish into bite sized pieces, then add to the bowl.
• Heat the oil in a small pan, add the onions and garlic and simmer for 5 minutes. Remove from the heat then let sit for 5 minutes. Remove the onions and garlic and discard.
• Add all of the spices and the wine to the oil and simmer for 5 minutes. Taste and adjust any seasonings if needed. Pour into the bowl, then gently toss everything to combine.
• Pour the mixture into the casserole and then decorate the top with the boiled eggs.
• Cover the dish with foil paper, then bake for approximately 30 minutes, or just until the casserole is hot.
• Sprinkle the chopped parsley just before serving if desired, and serve with extra piri piri hot sauce on the side.
• Note: Prepare the salted cod fish by soaking it in water in a pot in the fridge for 24 hours, changing the water twice. Drain the fish, then fill the pot with fresh water. Bring the water to a boil, then reduce the temperature and simmer for 10 minutes. Drain the water then shred the fish once cooled.

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.

PORTUGUESE-STYLE SALT COD FRITTERS WITH LEMON AND OLIVES

Steps:

• Starting a day ahead, soak the dried cod in cold water for 18 to 24 hours, changing the water several times to remove the majority of the salt. Drain the cod, rinse, and put it in a large pot. Add the milk, garlic, bay leaves, thyme, and enough water to cover the cod by 1 inch; cooking the cod in milk keeps it very moist. Bring to a boil, then simmer gently over medium-low heat for 20 minutes, or until the cod is tender and pliable. Drain (discard the milk) and rinse the fish well, then flake it into a bowl, removing any little bits of skin and bone.
• While the cod is cooking, put the potatoes in a pot with water to cover, bring to a boil, then simmer over medium heat for 20 to 25 minutes, until very tender. Drain the potatoes, peel, and mash them well into a bowl with a potato masher, or pass them through a ricer or sieve.
• Add the cod to the bowl with the potatoes, along with the onion, minced garlic, parsley, cilantro, and eggs. Beat the mixture vigorously with a wooden spoon until it's really well combined and stiff; a spoon should stand up in it. (if it's too dry, add 1 or 2 tablespoons of milk.) Season with a pinch of pepper and taste for salt - you probably won't need to add any, as the cod itself is still salty in spit of having been soaked and boiled.
• With lightly moistened hands or using two tablespoons, shape the cod mixture into egg-shaped balls - you should get about 25. (The cod balls can be covered and refrigerated for up to 1 day before cooking, or frozen in a tightly covered container for several weeks.)
• Heat about 1 inch of oil in a deep, heavy skillet or pot to 370°F on a deep-fry thermometer. Add a few of the fritters to the oil and cook, turning them three or four times to get them nicely browned all over. Carefully lift them our of the pan with a slotted spoon and drain on a platter lined with paper towels. Keep going to cook all of the fritters. Taste one and, if needed, sprinkle with salt while the fritters are still hot. Serve hot or at room temperature with a pile of olives and lemon wedges.

COD FISH CASSEROLE (PORTUGUESE STYLE)

Steps:

• Boil fish until cooked drain and mince using care to remove all the bones.
• Boil potatoes and collards together until the potatoes are cooked but still firm.
• Fry onions in 1/2 cup of olive oil until slightly browned then add tomatoes and fry for 5 min.
• Now in a baking dish layer potatoes and collards, fish, onions and tomatoes, potatoes and collards, fish, onions and tomatoes.
• Drizzle with remaining oil and what's left from frying onions.
• Bake 350 degrees for 1 hour.

BACALHAU A GOMES DE SA (PORTUGUESE SALTED COD CASSEROLE)

Steps:

• Soak the cod in cold water to cover for 24 to 36 hours, changing the water occasionally, drain. Flake the cod into small pieces, removing any bones. Set aside. In a large sauté pan, over medium heat, add 1/4 cup of the oil. When the oil is hot, add the onions and the garlic. Season with salt and pepper. Sauté until slightly golden, about 6 minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 350ºF.
• Grease a medium ovenproof casserole dish with 1 teaspoon of olive oil. Season the potatoes with salt and pepper.
• Spread half of the potatoes over the bottom of the prepared dish. Sprinkle half of the salt cod over the potatoes. Place half of the onion mixture over the salt cod. Top the onion mixture with more salt cod. Place another layer of potatoes over the top of the cod. Drizzle the entire pan with the remaining 1/4 cup of oil. Place in the oven and bake for 30 to 40 minutes, or until golden. Place on a serving platter. Garnish with the sliced eggs, olives, paprika and parsley.
• Yield: 4 to 6 servings.

PORTUGUESE KALE-AND-SALT-COD CHOWDER

Steps:

• Soak the salt cod overnight in cold water. Drain and tear the cod into bite-size pieces, removing any remaining bones. Cover the cod with fresh water and bring nearly to a boil. Remove from the heat, cover and let sit for 15 minutes. Drain and set aside.
• Warm the olive oil in a large soup pot over high heat. Add the sausage and cook, stirring constantly, for 3 minutes to lightly brown. Reduce the heat to medium, add the onions and cook, stirring frequently until the onions are nearly soft, about 5 minutes. Add the potatoes and toss. Add the chicken broth and bring to a boil. Add the kale, bay leaves and chili- pepper flakes. Return to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer for 30 minutes. Skim the fat off the top of the soup. Add the cod, adjust the seasoning, ladle into bowls and sprinkle each with fresh mint.

PORTUGUESE CHICKPEA AND COD SALAD

Steps:

• place the cod and egg in a pot of water.
• boil for about 10 minutes.
• remove from pot and let cool.
• in the meantime boil chickpeas in its water for about 20 minutes (drain when done).
• once cod has cooled flake it.
• peel and chop the egg.
• place the cod, chickpeas, egg and onion in a salad bowl.
• mix the dressing ingredients and pour over cod and chickpea.
• Enjoy.
• Better served cold.

BAKED COD PORTUGUESE

Steps:

• Melt half the butter in a shallow flameproof casserole dish that is big enough to hold all the pieces of cod in a single layer.
• Fry the cod, skin-side down, for 1 minute, until crisp and golden. Carefully remove from the dish and set aside.
• Add the onion to the dish and fry gently for 5 minutes, until softened.
• Add the plum tomatoes, sun-dried tomatoes, stock and white wine. Bring to the boil and simmer for 10 minutes, until slightly reduced and thickened.
• Preheat the oven to 400°F.
• Place the cod skin-side up on top of the onion and tomato mixture, transfer the casserole dish to the oven and bake for 5-6 minutes - less if the pieces of cod are thin.
• Remove from the oven and lift the cod out on to a warm plate. Return the dish to the stove over a high heat, add the remaining butter and reduce by boiling rapidly for about 4 minutes, stirring now and then, to make a really thick sauce.
• Stir in the parsley, season with salt and pepper and cook for 30 seconds more.
• Spoon the sauce on to four warm plates, put the cod on top and garnish with parsley sprigs and serve.

BAKED COD FISH PORTUGUESE STYLE (BACALHAU)

Steps:

• Arrange in an earthen baking dish the cod fish, layered with tomatoes, green peppers, potatoes, sliced onion, boiled eggs, green olives. Dribble over the top olive oil and a few drops of hot sauce. Last layer should be cod fish. Put it in the oven and bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour. When cod fish on top is browned, it should be ready to serve. Serve in the baking dish. NOTE: Bacalhau is actually dried cod fish, and when the Brazilians and Portugueses prepare the dish above, they use the salted dried cod fish and go to a lot of trouble soaking and preparing the fish described on the Seafood & Fish chapter. This "modern" version is much easier.

PORTUGUESE RICE AND SALT COD SALAD

Steps:

• In a large saute pan, heat 3 tablespoons of the oil. When the oil is hot, add the onions. Season with salt and pepper. Saute until golden, about 3 to 4 minutes. Add the garlic, green onions, parsley, and tomatoes. Season with salt and pepper. Continue to cook for 2 to 3 minutes, or until the tomatoes are soft. Add the crushed red pepper and salt cod. Continue to cook for 3 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from the heat and turn into a mixing bowl. Add the rice and lemon juice, mix thoroughly. Drizzle in enough olive oil, so the rice is not dry. Reseason, if necessary. Lay the lettuce on the bottom of a platter. Spoon the rice salad on top of the lettuce. Garnish with the eggs and green olives.

PORTUGUESE COD FISH BALLS

Steps:

• 1. Soak the cod for 24 hours, changing the water several times. Boil about 5 minutes, until flaky. Cool.
• 2. Mix fish flakes, mashed potatoes, parsley, onions, and eggs in a bowl. Roll into 2" balls. Roll in flour to coat.
• 3. Heat 2" oil in skillet until sizzles. Fry balls a few at a time, turning so all sides are cooked. Drain on paper towels.

PORTUGUESE SMOTHERED COD

Steps:

• Put 1/2 tablespoon of the olive oil in a large pot over low heat, add the sausage and cook until lightly browned, about 10 to 15 minutes. Add the garlic and kale, season lightly with salt and pepper, stir and cover the pot. After 10 minutes, add 2 cups of water and continue cooking, covered, until the kale is soft, about 45 minutes. Discard the sausage.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Coat the bottom of a baking dish, large enough to hold the fillets in one layer, with the remaining olive oil. Arrange the potato slices, overlapping them to make four narrow beds on which the cod fillets will rest. Season lightly with salt and pepper. Place a cod fillet on each bed, squeeze the juice from half the lemon over the fillets and season lightly with salt and pepper. Cover each fillet with a quarter of the kale and sprinkle with lemon juice.
• Combine the wine and the broth and pour into the dish. Cover with foil and bake until the fish is cooked through and the potatoes are tender, about 25 minutes.

PORTUGUESE SALT COD HASH

Steps:

• 1. At least 24 hours prior to preparing the dish, rinse the cod well to remove any surface salt, then soak it in a large bowl with plenty of water, changing the water several times during the 24 hours. When ready to begin the recipe, drain and rinse the salt cod again. 2. Fill a bowl with cold water and set aside. Bring a large pot of water to a boil, slip the cod into the pot, and cook until it flakes easily, about 12 minutes, depending on the thickness of the fillet. Remove the fish from water with a slotted spoon and place in the bowl of cold water to stop the cooking. 3. When cool, remove the fish from the bowl, pat it dry with paper towels, and set aside. 4. In a medium saucepan with high sides, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat until it reaches 365°F (185°C). Add the potato cubes and fry until golden, 5 to 7 minutes. Transfer the potatoes to paper towel to drain and set aside. 5. Heat 1/4 cup of the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat until hot. Saute the onion, bell pepper, and bay leaves until the onions are glassy and soft, 5 to 7 minutes. Break the cod into large flakes and add it to the skillet. Add the chopped garlic and another 1/4 cup of olive oil and continue to cook until the onions are golden, making sure not to burn the garlic, about 3 minutes. 6. Stir the fried potatoes and olives into the cod mixture until warmed through. Season with salt and white pepper to taste. Remove the skillet from the heat and discard the bay leaves. Sprinkle the parsley over the cod mix and toss. Set aside. 7. Heat the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a non-stick skillet over medium high heat. Fry the eggs over easy, 2 to 4 minutes. 8. To serve, mound the salt cod hash in the center of four plates and top each with an egg. Bring to the table immediately.