One of the things that I most love about travelling is getting to know another culture via their food. Not so much walking a mile in another man’s shoes, but taking several meals at their table perhaps?
One of my most memorable meals was a simple plate of salt cod, which I ate with Ed, at the Petersham Nurseries, when Skye Gyngell was the head chef. Rich, succulent and delicious. I recently ate Bakalar a salt cod and potato stew; traditionally served on Christmas Eve, at the Croatian Tourist board’s Christmas party at the end of last year, which I have recreated here for the Expedia World on a Plate Challenge.
Traditionally the dish will use dried salted cod – a leathery completely dried out salted fish, that needs to soak for two days to rehydrate. I usually make my own semi-cured salted cod – simply coat fillets of fish in salt and leave in the fridge for a couple of days. The salt draws out water from the fish, concentrating the flavour and firming the texture. I salt a few pieces at once and then freeze them.
Bakalar, Croatian Cod Stew
Ingredients
- 2 cod fillets – about 120g each
- 2 tbs good quality sea salt
- 500 g potatoes
- 2 tbs good quality olive oil
- 1 small onion – sliced
- 2 cloves garlic – chopped
- Juice half a lemon
- 200 ml vegetable stock
Instructions
- Place the cod fillets on to a wire or plastic rack (I use the basket of my salad spinner) and liberally coat with the salt. Loosely cover with clingfilm, stand on a plate and leave at the bottom of the fridge for two days, turning once, and discarding any liquid that is drawn out. Rinse well and pat dry with a sheet of kitchen paper.
- Peel and boil the potatoes until cooked and then cut into 1cm thick slices. Whilst the potatoes are cooking fry the onions and garlic in the olive oil until soft. Add the potatoes to the onions, pour over the lemon juice and stock and simmer over a gentle heat for a few minutes.
- Cut the cod into 2cm cubes, add the potato mixture and gently cook for another 5 minutes or so until it is soft and flaky. Serve immediately with a generous sprinkling of parsley.
Helen
So nice to see such an unusual, but simple recipe – I’ll definitely be trying this soon – reminds me of when I lived with a Spanish family and they really did eat ‘real’ salt cod all the time – soaking it for days in their pantry. Thanks!
Helen
I love home semi cured cod, so easy to make, and so delicious!
Emily @amummytoo
This looks beautiful and I’ve never tried semi-curing fish at home – it sounds like a great idea.
Helen
Thank you Emily. First trip out for the new camera too!
Katie Bryson
This sounds so delicious and comforting Helen. One of my first ever holidays abroad was to Croatia as a child and I remember how tasty the food was and how warm and friendly the people were. Such a lovely place, I’d love to go back one day.
Helen
It did make for a rather splendid lunch Katie. Happily I have another lump of salt cod in my freezer!
Sarah Maison Cupcake
I’d like to explore Croatia and its cuisine a little more. This looks great and I am coveting those little enamel dishes!
Helen
I would love to go Sarah. The little dishes are from good old Lakeland!
Janie
Mmmm, that looks great Helen. Do you not need to rinse the salt off, or does it come off with the brine?
I saw some salt cod in my local Asian supermarket, I didn’t get it as I had no clue what recipe to use it in – now I do!
Janie x
Helen
You rinse it Janie. Just had to double check the instructions.
kellie@foodtoglow
Snap with the salt cod dish! I like your simple and do-able way to create a mild salt fish in your own home. Will try once I get through my gifted supply. What a great idea to make and freeze your own, especially as you can better ensure the quality of fish.
Helen
I love home cured salt cod. I usually just drop it into a rich tomato sauce to gently poach when we have it. So easy and so good.
Jayne
I love it when I come across something completely different, this sounds great Helen! I’ve never thought of curing my own fish, I will have to try that. Lovely picture!
Helen
Thanks Jane – do give it a go. Photo was the first outing for my new camera – am very pleased with it.
Bintu @ Recipes From A Pantry
I can image that the cod and potato make this quite creamy.
Helen
absolutely. I’ll be making this one again with the spare piece of cod in the freezer.
Patricia Balen
Please can you tell me if I can buy the Norwegian salted cod anywhere in London. My husband usually brings it from Croatia, but this year he was unable to. I dont mean the Portuguese one, but the real Norwegian one, which is hard and stiff as a board.
Helen
Hi Patricia,
I have no idea, I suspect there must be a specialist shop somewhere.