FRENCH SALT COD AND POTATO BRANDADE

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FRENCH SALT COD AND POTATO BRANDADE image

Categories     Fish

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 17

1 pound skinless, boneless salt cod
1 cup milk
1 large thyme sprig
1 bay leaf
5 peppercorns
2 allspice berries
1 clove
1 pound potatoes, peeled, cut in 1-inch cubes
6 large garlic cloves, peeled
Salt and pepper
1/3 cup olive oil
Pinch cayenne
Grated nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon grated lemon zest
1/2 cup crème fraîche, plus 2 tablespoons
3 tablespoons cold butter
1/2 cup coarse dry bread crumbs.

Steps:

  • 1.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. 2.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. 3.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. 4.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. 5.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. 6.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.

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