PASTEIS DE BACALHAU - CODFISH CAKES

Pasteis de Bacalhau - Codfish Cakes image

This recipe has been posted for play in CQ3 - Azores. Found at website: http://portuguesekitchen.blogspot.ca/2010/04/codfish-cakes-pasteis-de-bacalhau.html Traditionally these cod cakes are made for special occasions, although you find then all over Portugal at local taverns & cafes, eaten as an entree or snack. The addictive...

Provided by Baby Kato

Time 2m

Number Of Ingredients 7

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Ingredients

1kg potatoes
600g dryed cod (bacalhau)
2 garlic cloves
1/2 bunch parsley chopped
2 eggs
1/2 white onion,peeled & grated, juice squeezed out
1 teaspoon salt

Steps:

1. Before you use codfish( bacalhau) you need to soak it to remove the excess salt, for 15-20hrs. Soak the fish the night before, after dinner rinse the fish first to remove excess salt & then put it in a large bowl with enough water to completely cover it. Cover the bowl & refrigerate. In the morning remove the water & refill with fresh water & then leave it too soak a further 4 or 5 hours, changing the water at least another 2 times within this period .
2. Peel the potatoes & cook them in water until there soft. Then strain the water from the cod & put the codfish in side a saucepan with cold water & bring to the boil. As soon as the water has boiled the fish is cooked, strain the fish. Put the cooked codfish inside a blender with the garlic cloves, grated onion & blend, till it's pulverized.
3. In a bowl add the pulverized codfish & the chopped parsley. Set aside until needed.
4. When the potatoes are cooked mash them. Now add the codfish, potatoes and salt together. Next add the eggs, mixing till well combined.
5. With 2 tablespoons shape the mixture into quenelles. Next, fry the quenelles in clean medium/hot oil for 2-3 minutes until golden brown on the outside and hot in the middle. Drain them on kitchen paper.
6. Tips: Codfish is a firm textured fish, slightly dry, so there is no need to add flour to the mixture to hold it together. Squeezing the water out of the onion is necessary otherwise the extra water will make the mixture more watery. The frying oil must always be fresh otherwise the mixture will absorb the oil & be oily & horrible to eat. Weigh the codfish when it's still salted & not hydrated.