Traditional Portuguese Cod with Onions – Easy Bacalhau Recipe
Elevate your culinary repertoire with this traditional Portuguese bacalhau recipe. This authentic salt cod with onions delivers unmatched flavor. Whether seeking an authentic gomes de sa family recipe variation or a Portuguese baked cod and onion casserole without dairy this savory masterpiece guarantees perfection. Master this timeless dish to experience true Mediterranean excellence at home.
The Story of Traditional Portuguese Cod with Onions – Easy Bacalhau Recipe
Salt cod possesses a fascinating and incredibly rich culinary history. Portuguese explorers relied heavily on this dried fish to survive grueling oceanic voyages. This brilliant preservation method successfully prevented spoilage during long months at sea.
Over many centuries, this humble maritime staple transformed into a revered national treasure. Cooks across Portugal developed hundreds of distinct ways to prepare the resilient fish. The famous creamy potato bake eventually emerged as a deeply comforting modern favorite.
Because this decadent baked casserole is incredibly rich, it requires thoughtful meal pairings. You should serve light and highly acidic accompaniments to properly balance the heavy cream. A simple dish of bright vegetables will easily cut through the heavy dairy.
A crisp butter lettuce salad tossed with a sharp lemon vinaigrette is an exceptional choice. The bright citrus notes beautifully complement the deep savory flavors of the cod. You could also toss fresh peppery arugula with thinly shaved fennel and olive oil.
Tender charred asparagus spears offer a wonderful textural contrast to the soft baked potatoes. Simply roast the green stalks with a pinch of coarse sea salt and cracked black pepper. A quick squeeze of fresh lemon juice finishes the roasted vegetable perfectly before serving.
Garlicky sautéed spinach is another deeply traditional and incredibly delicious vegetable option. The mild earthy bitterness of the dark leafy greens works beautifully alongside the sweet caramelized onions. Serve these vibrant sides to create a perfectly balanced and highly memorable feast.
Ingredients
Equipment:
Directions
- If you are using dried, salted Portuguese cod, soak it overnight in cold water, changing the water at least twice to remove excess salt.
- Bring a pot of water to a boil and reduce heat to medium-high, adding either the soaked Portuguese cod or the regular fresh cod fillets to boil gently for about fifteen minutes.
- Drain the fish, making sure to save the water it cooked in, and shred the fish into large chunks while removing any bones and skin before setting aside.
- In the water the cod cooked in, place the sliced potatoes and bring to a boil, then reduce heat and cook until tender before draining and setting aside.
- Heat about 3 tablespoons (45 ml) of Portuguese olive oil or any good quality olive oil in a skillet, add the onions, peppers, and garlic, and sauté until the vegetables are soft.
- Mix in 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of hot sauce, season with salt to taste, and gently stir in the cooked flaked codfish and coarsely chopped black olives.
- Preheat the oven to 180°C or 350°F and generously grease a 2-quart (1.9 L) baking dish with olive oil.
- Layer half of the cooked potatoes along the bottom of the dish, spread with half of the cod and onion mixture, and sprinkle with half of the chopped eggs.
- Drizzle generously with olive oil, then repeat the layers with the remaining ingredients, finishing with another generous drizzle of olive oil on top.
- Bake uncovered for about 30 minutes or until the top is beautifully golden brown and bubbling.
Recommended Drink Pairings:
Start with a beautifully chilled Portuguese Vinho Verde. Its bright, crisp acidity perfectly slices through the rich olive oil and hearty cod. For slightly more body, an elegant Portuguese Alvarinho works brilliantly. Prefer red? Try a light, fruity Portuguese Baga. Alternatively, a zippy Sauvignon Blanc or a dry sparkling apple cider offers an incredibly refreshing, satisfying finish.
Adapted from a Recipe by: Anna, Annas Tiny Kitchen
Nutritional Facts (Per Serving)
You might also like
Portuguese Fish Stew (Caldeirada de Peixe) with saffron and white wine. Authentic, one-pot...
| Level of Difficulty | Easy |
| Servings | 6 |
Gorete's baked cod with potatoes, is a fish dish with yummy potatoes.
| Level of Difficulty | Easy |
| Servings | 4 |
Gorete's spicy piri piri shrimp (camarões com piri piri), is a family favorite. We serve it with...
| Level of Difficulty | Easy |
| Servings | 4 |
Comments (8)
Portuguese Soup Recipe