When it comes to one of the most commonly eaten dishes in Portugal, we turn to bacalhau. It’s a recipe that can have virtually hundreds of different recipes. But for now I will be sharing with you my family’s recipe that has been followed for generations, all the way back to my great-great-grandparents. A main reason why we eat this often is for the simple fact that it’s what we have being surrounded by water: fish! Our family only makes this dish for special occasions like Christmas or Easter and sometimes for family get-togethers. If you’re going to some Portuguese event, you know that you will see one of the hundreds of versions of this dish.
The reason I chose this dish is because I love it, and for the simple fact that you are able to change the recipe according to your preference. If you don’t like something in this recipe, it's alright to change it to something you might like, and that’s what’s so great about this dish. Hundreds of versions of this recipe are able to make everyone happy with their meal. You cannot go wrong when you have a plate of bacalhau to share with your entire family.
Recipe
Ingredients
– cod
– 6 onions
– 4 eggs
– 12 potatoes
– 1 can chickpeas
– 1 cup portuguese olive oil*
– olives
– hot peppers
*can be bought at any Portuguese bakery known as “Azeite” Saloio.
Procedure
- When you purchase fresh cod, you must wash out the salt. For 3 days in a row, leave in water; every 24 hours, change the water.
- Cut the cod into 9 pieces, then boil for 15 minutes.
- Remove cod from the water, and keep water for later.
- Pull the cod apart into small pieces, then set aside.
- With the water from the cod, boil the potatoes which have been peeled and cut for about 10 minutes.
- Add the eggs to the boiling water (same time: 10 minutes).
- As the potatoes are being boiled, prepare the onions for sauté.
- Prepare a pan with ½ cup of Portuguese olive oil. Add the onions and sauté. Mix regularly until they turn golden brown.
- Layer the onions on the bottom of a Pyrex (12 inches).
- Layer the cod.
- Layer the potatoes, then add 1 boiled egg, scrambled up.
- Repeat another layer, following steps 10 to 12.
- Add the remaining Portuguese olive oil.
- Use the remaining 2 eggs for decoration on top, with olives and peppers.
- Cover with aluminium foil. Bake in oven at 350°F for 45 minutes.
- Remove from over and serve. Enjoy!
Photo source: http://www.receitando.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/
