Bacalhau à Brás (Shredded Cod with Fried Potatoes)
Servings:
4 people
Prep Time:
45 minutes
Cook Time:
40 minutes
Difficulty:
Medium
Ingredients
- 500 g (about 1.1 lbs) Dried salt cod (bacalhau)
- 500 g (about 1.1 lbs, waxy or all-purpose) Potatoes
- 2 large, thinly sliced Onions
- 3 to 4, minced Garlic cloves
- 3 to 4 large Eggs
- 0.5 cup Black olives (optional, pitted)
- 0.25 cup, chopped Fresh parsley
- 0.75 cup (180 ml) Olive oil (for frying)
- 3 Tbsp Neutral oil (for onions and eggs)
- 1 to taste Salt
- 1 to taste Black pepper
Instructions
- Place dried salt cod in large bowl of cold water; soak 24-48 hours, changing water 3-4 times daily to remove excess salt
- After soaking, bring large pot of water to boil and add cod; simmer 5-10 minutes until fish is opaque and flakes easily
- Remove cod and let cool; flake into bite-size pieces, removing any bones or skin; set aside
- Peel and cut potatoes into thin matchstick-like julienne (about 2-3 mm thick)
- Pat potatoes very dry with paper towels
- Heat olive oil in large pan to 170°C (340°F) or until a piece of potato sizzles immediately
- Working in batches, fry potatoes until golden and crispy, about 3-4 minutes per batch; drain on paper towels and season lightly with salt
- In separate pan, heat 2 Tbsp neutral oil and sauté sliced onions over medium heat until softened and golden, about 10 minutes
- Add minced garlic and cook 1 minute until fragrant
- Add flaked cod and toss gently to combine; warm through, about 2-3 minutes; set aside
- In another pan, heat remaining 1 Tbsp neutral oil and fry eggs (beat lightly or fry sunny-side up); if frying, you want runny yolks that will incorporate into the dish
- In large bowl, combine warm cod and onion mixture with crispy fried potatoes; toss gently to combine
- Top with fried eggs, black olives if using, and fresh parsley
- Season with salt and pepper to taste (go easy on salt as the fish may still be slightly salty)
- Serve hot as a warm salad-like dish, traditionally as a holiday meal with a simple green salad on the side