Codfish with Cream

This a traditional Portuguese way of cooking codfish, from the capital city of Lisbon. In a country with a large tradition of making codfish in several ways, this is, for me, the most delicious and sinful way of eating this wonderful fish. Taste it and you will see!

• Preparation Time: 40 mins
• Cooking Time: 50 mins
• Total Time: 1 hr 30 mins
• Calories: 2266 Calories

Ingredients

• vegetable oil for frying
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 pinch ground nutmeg
• 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
• ½ cup olive oil
• 1 cup hot milk
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• salt and ground black pepper to taste
• ⅔ cup heavy cream
• 1 ⅓ cups heavy cream
• 1 large onion, sliced thin
• 1 ounce grated Parmesan cheese
• 12 ounces dried salted cod fish
• 4 large potatoes, peeled and cut into very small cubes

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat an oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

Step 2

Soak the dried salted cod in cold water with the skin side up for 24 hours, changing the water about 4 times. Drain and discard the water.

Step 3

Place the cod in a pan with enough water to cover; bring to a boil and cook for 10 minutes. Remove the cod from the pan; remove and discard the skin and bones. Cut the cod into chunks and set aside.

Step 4

Heat 1/2 inch vegetable oil in large skillet over medium-high heat. Working in batches if necessary, fry the potatoes in the hot oil until just cooked, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a plate lined with paper towels to drain.

Step 5

Pour the olive oil into a Dutch oven or heat-proof casserole dish over medium heat. Cook the onion and garlic in the oil until the onion is translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the cod and cook another 3 minutes; stir the potatoes into the mixture and cook another 1 to 2 minutes. Reduce heat to low.

Step 6

Melt the butter in a separate pan over medium-low heat; vigorously stir the flour into the melted butter. Slowly stream the hot milk into the mixture while stirring; cook and stir until thick. Season with the nutmeg. Pour into the casserole with 1 1/3 cups cream; stir to coat. Allow the mixture to simmer together for about 2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Drizzle remaining 2/3 cup cream over the mixture; sprinkle with the Parmesan cheese.

Step 7

Bake in the preheated oven until the top is browned, 30 to 40 minutes. Serve hot.