Tapas lovers, here is a recipe that is somewhat laborious but worth the effort. Salt cod with potatoes is a traditional Portuguese combination.
- 8 oz. dried salt cod
- 2 lbs. potatoes
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 1 oz. pine nuts
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 egg
- 3 sprigs parsley, minced
- Paprika
- Olive oil for frying
Soak salt cod in water for 12 hours and drain to remove excess salt. Rinse several times if necessary.
Bring 2 cups of clean water to boil and simmer cod for 10 minutes. Remove from water. Peel and cube potatoes. Bring 2 more cups of water to boil in large pot and throw in potatoes and cod. Cook 20 minutes. When potatoes are tender, remove the cod from the water, remove any spines and skin, and pound in a mortar. Drain potatoes and pound together with the cod until a smooth paste is formed.
Heat 4 tbsp. oil in a pan and saute the onion. When golden, add the pine nuts and one tsp. of paprika; stir quickly and pour over the cod and potato mix. Add the garlic and parsley. Beat the egg, add to the cod mix, and combine thoroughly. Form tablespoon-sized balls. Roll in flour and fry in deep, hot oil until golden.