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Portuguese Christmas Eve Cod

Bacalhau de Consoada
by Edite Vieira
adapted from The Taste of Portugal
(Grub Street, 2000)
Serves 6 to 8

For Christmas Eve supper, make plenty of this favorite easy-to-make dish.—Edite Vieira

convert Ingredients
(See note)
2 pounds salt cod, cut into 6 or 8 fillets
1 1/2 pounds potatoes, boiled in their skins and peeled while still hot
1 large head cabbage, cut into 8 pieces, blanched until just tender
12 hard-boiled eggs, sliced in half

For the sauce
3 tablespoons olive oil per person
1 clove garlic per person, minced
1 teaspoon wine vinegar per person (or less to taste)

The Taste of Portugal by Edite Vieira

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Directions
1. Rinse the cod under cold running water to remove any surface salt. Place the fish pieces in a large nonreactive pot, cover with water and refrigerate (covered) for 24 hours, changing the water several times.

2. Pour off the water, and refill with enough boiling water to cover the fish by several inches. Cover the pan with a heavy dishtowel and leave the cod to soak in the hot water for 30 minutes. (If the fish isn’t cooked fully, simmer gently until finished.) Drain the cod, and remove any bits of skin or bone.

3. To make the sauce, bring the oil and garlic to a boil in a small saucepan, remove from the heat, add the vinegar, beat well and serve in a sauceboat.

Note: All these items must be cooked at the last minute, just before serving, so as to be brought to the table at their best. They are served on big platters, separately.

Recipe © 2000 Edite Vieira. All rights reserved.


Comments
  1. Sofia says:

    Landed here after searching for potato recipes. Of course I HAD to read this traditional meal and if anyone out there (especially non-portuguese or portuguese descent) attempts to try this, something we always do which really adds a nice taste to this dish is mince the garlic real small, add it to each person’s plate, then add the olive oil and about a teaspoon of sweet paprika. We mixed it all well prior to adding the cod, potatoes, egg, cabbage, etc.

    • David Leite says:

      Sofia, thanks for the suggestion. I’ve never had it that way, but I certainly know what I’m going to do the next time I make this!

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