Best Portuguese Fish Recipes

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-STYLE BAKED FISH

Steps:

• In a skillet heat the olive oil. Add the onions, leeks, and garlic, and saute over medium heat till transparent (about 5 minutes).
• Add peeled tomatoes, tomato paste, and seasonings. Cook for about 15 minutes over medium heat.
• Preheat the oven to 350.
• In a baking pan pour about 1/3 of the sauce.
• Put the fish fillets on top of the sauce. Top with the sliced green pepper.
• Pour the wine over this and then top with lemon slices.
• Pour the rest of the tomato sauce over all and then top with minced parsley.
• Bake this for about 25 minutes, or until the fish is done and the sauce is bubbly. Serve with pasta or potatoes. This is great!

CALDEIRADA DE PEIXE (PORTUGUESE FISH STEW)

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, heat oil over medium low heat, add onion, peppers, garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, until onion softens, about 10 minutes.
• Reduce heat to low, cover and cook 10 minutes more, stirring occasionally.
• Add potato, tomato, wine, broth if using, bay leaves, peppercorns, and saffron; bring to a simmer, cover, and cook until potato is just tender, about 20 minutes.
• Arrange fish cubes over onion mixture, then layer on shrimp, then mussels and clams; cover, cook until shells open, about 6 to 8 minutes (discard any shells that do not open).
• Ladle stew into serving bowl and garnish with cilantro.
• Meanwhile, prepare the garlic toasts by rubbing the cut side of the garlic over the toast; serve with stew.

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.

PORTUGUESE VINEGAR MARINADE OR SAUCE (MOLHO ESCABECHE) FOR FISH

Steps:

• In a skillet, heat the oil over medium-high heat and fry the onion until translucent. Reduce the heat, add the garlic, and cook until it becomes aromatic, about 2 minutes.
• Add the bay leaf, parsley, and paprika.
• Heat through and remove from the heat.
• Add the vinegar, salt, and pepper. Mix well and pour over cooked fish or serve on the side.

PORTUGUESE FISH STEW

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a heavy 4 to 6-quart pot over medium flame. Add the onions, garlic, and sausage; cook, stirring with wooden spoon, until the sausage renders out some of its fat and the onions are soft. Toss in the herbs and then the potatoes, stir that around for a minute to coat in the oil. Pour in the chicken broth and bring up to a simmer. Add the kale, season with salt and pepper. Cover and simmer for 10 minutes until the potatoes are nearly tender.
• Uncover the pot and add the clams; simmer, covered, for 15 minutes until the clams open. Add the fish and continue to cook for another 3 to 5 minutes until the fish is cooked. Garnish with chopped parsley and drizzle with olive oil. Ladle the stew into shallow bowls and serve with Rustic Garlic Bread for dunking.
• Combine the garlic and herbs in a bowl. Pour in the oil, season with salt and pepper. Mix the ingredients together with a spoon. Cut a slit down the middle of the loaf of bread, pour the garlic oil into the pocket, pressing with the back of a spoon to get the flavors into the bread. Wrap the bread in aluminum foil. Roast the garlic bread on a grill or bake in a preheated 350 degree F oven for 5 minutes until the outside is nice and crusty. Hand tear into pieces for serving.

PORTUGUESE FISH STEW

Steps:

• Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add leeks and onion; cook and stir until softened, 8 to 10 minutes. Add fennel and garlic; cook and stir until fragrant, about 5 minutes.
• Pour fish stock and vermouth into the pot. Add tomatoes, red bell pepper, orange zest, red pepper flakes, pepper, and bay leaf. Bring to a boil; reduce heat, cover, and simmer until red bell pepper is soft, about 20 minutes.
• Bring stock back to a boil. Add cod fillets; cook for 1 minute. Add shrimp, clams, and mussels; cook, shaking pot occasionally, until shells open and shrimp turn opaque, 1 to 2 minutes.

CALDEIRADA (PORTUGUESE FISH STEW)

Steps:

• In a large pot put layers of onions, tomatoes, fish, peppers and potatoes. Make layers until ingredients are over. On top put parsley, laurel leaf, saffron and salt. Sprinkle with wine, water and olive oil.
• Take to the stove and let cook in a small flame for about 45 minutes. Shake the pan once in a while. DO NOT STIR, just shake the pan.

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.

SOUTH COAST PORTUGUESE FISH CHOWDER

Steps:

• Heat a 4- to 6-quart heavy pot over medium heat and add the olive oil and bay leaves. As soon as the bay leaves turn brown, add the garlic and cook, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, for 30 seconds or until it is golden. Add the onions, bell pepper, and allspice and saute, stirring occasionally, for about 8 minutes, until the onions and peppers are softened but not brown.
• Add the potatoes and stock; if the stock doesn't cover the potatoes, add just enough water to cover them. Turn up the heat, bring to a boil, cover, and cook the potatoes vigorously for about 10 minutes, until they are soft on the outside but still firm in the center.
• Reduce the heat to medium, add the tomatoes and sausage, and simmer for 5 minutes. Season the mixture assertively with salt and pepper (you want to almost overseason the chowder at this point, to avoid having to stir it much once the fish is added).
• Add the whole fillets and cook for 5 minutes, then remove from the heat, gently stir in the cilantro, and allow the chowder to sit for 10 minutes. (The fish will finish cooking during this time.) If you are not serving the chowder within the hour, let it cool a bit, then refrigerate; cover the chowder after it has chilled completely. Otherwise, let it sit for up to an hour at room temperature, allowing the flavors to meld.
• When ready to serve, reheat the chowder over low heat; don't let it boil. Use a slotted spoon to mold the chunks of hake, the chorico, tomatoes, peppers, and potatoes in the center of large soup plates or shallow bowls, and ladle the savory tomato broth over. Sprinkle with the chopped parsley.

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.

MOLHO CRU (PORTUGUESE SAUCE FOR FRIED FISH)

Steps:

• Mix all togther, serve cold. all ingredients are more or less to taste.

PORTUGUESE FISH SUPPER

Steps:

• Heat the extra-virgin olive oil over medium-high heat in a high-sided skillet or Dutch oven. Add the chorizo and render for a couple of minutes, then add the onions and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook for 1 to 2 minutes. Add the kale and toss to wilt, then season with a few grates of nutmeg and salt and pepper, to taste. Stir in the stock, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, garbanzo beans and thyme. Bring to a simmer and cook over low heat for 10 minutes. Cool and store for a make-ahead meal.
• Reheat sauce, covered, in high-sided skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until sauce is hot and bubbly, about 10 to 15 minutes. Season the fish with seafood seasoning or paprika and salt and pepper, to taste. Add the fish to the sauce and cover. Cook until the fish is opaque and cooked through, about 5 to 7 minutes. Ladle into shallow bowls garnished with parsley. Serve with crusty bread for mopping.

PORTUGUESE MARINADE FOR PORK, BEEF OR FISH (VINHO DE ALHOS)

Steps:

• Mix ingredients together. Marinate pork, beef, or fish in refrigerator for at least 12 hours before sauteing.

FISH CAKES, PORTUGUESE-STYLE

Steps:

• (*If using salt cod: let it soak in water overnight to remove extra salt before using in recipe. Change the water 1-2 times.).
• In a large pot put the fish and the (unpeeled, uncut) potatoes, cover with water and bring to boil. Lower heat then let everything simmer 15 minutes. Remove fish from the pot and let cool; keep cooking the potatoes until tender.
• Remove potatoes, peel and mash.
• Shred the fish by hand or with a food processor. Mix with the potatoes and the rest of ingredients (but the oil). Season to taste. With two soup spoons (traditionally) or with your wet hands (easier) form about 30 small oval-shaped balls (around 1 tbsp each).
• In deep solid pot heat about 3" of oil until hot. Drop 4-5 balls at a time and fry until golden brown. Remove with a slotted spoon and let cool on paper towels 10-15 minutes before tasting.
• Serve with a dip, or drizzled with hot sauce.

LINGUADO COM SALSA VERDE/ PORTUGUESE FISH IN PARSLEY SAUCE

Steps:

• Roughly chop the parsley and the garlic.
• Boil (or microwave) the potato (or use a leftover cooked one) and mash with the parsley, garlic, vinegar, olive oil, salt and pepper, and then add enough water to the mix and beat or whisk to produce a saucy consistency.
• Salt and pepper the flounder fillets. Combine the wine and fish stock in a frypan and heat, once it's simmering add the fish in one layer and poach the fish gently for 7-10 minutes until the fish is cooked though. (cooking time depends on the size of the fillets).
• Serve the fish immediately with the parsley sauce.

PORTUGUESE FISH STEW

Steps:

• Stir together oil and potatoes in a 5-quart glass or ceramic casserole. Cover securely with microwave plastic wrap or a tightly fitting lid. Cook at 100 percent power for 4 minutes in a 650- to 700-watt oven. If using plastic, prick to release steam.
• Remove from oven. Place fish bones and heads on a double thickness of cheesecloth and tie securely with string. Add to casserole along with 2 1/2 cups of the wine and garlic. Cover and cook for 22 minutes, stirring twice.
• While potato mixture is cooking, halve fillets lengthwise and remove pin bones; try a tweezers. Cut across into 2-inch chunks.
• If using plastic, prick to release steam. Remove casserole from oven and uncover. Discard fish heads and bones in cheesecloth. Place fish over potatoes and top with kale. Re-cover and cook for 17 minutes. If using plastic, prick to release steam.
• Remove from oven and uncover. Stir in remaining 1-cup wine, salt and pepper to taste, breaking up the fish as you stir. Re-cover and cook for 3 minutes more or until hot.

PORTUGUESE BAKED FISH

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350.
• Lightly grease a baking dish. Place fish fillets in the baking dish, lightly sprinkle w/ salt & pepper and set aside.
• In a skillet, melt butter, then saute the onions, celery and tomatoes in butter until tender.
• To skillet, add veg juice, lemon juice, sugar, garlic and bay leaf; cook over medium heat for 3 minutes.
• Remove bay leaf from sauce.
• Pour this sauce evenly over fish fillets in the baking dish.
• Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes or until fillets are opaque.

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.

CALDEIRADA DE PEIXE (PORTUGUESE FISH STEW)

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large stockpot or dutch oven, add the onions and leeks and saute until softened. Add the fennel and garlic and saute until aromatic.
• Add all of the remaining ingredients except the fish and/or shellfish and bring to a boil. Cover, lower heat and simmer for 20 minutes.
• While the stock is simmering, cut the fish into bite-sized portions. Bring the stock back to a rapid boil, add the fish and cook for 1 minute.
• Add the shellfish (if using) and continue to boil until shells open, approximately 1 minute. Shake the pot occasionally to encourage clam and mussel shells to open. If using shrimp, turn off the heat as soon as the shrimp lose their gray translucency. Any longer than this and they become tough and overcooked. Depending on your pot and burner, this will probably be about 2-3 minutes.
• Serve hot with wedges of Broa either on the side or in the dish with the soup ladled over.