Food Network: Salt Cod with Potatoes Onions and Black Olives

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Salt Cod with Potatoes Onions and Black Olives
c.1997, M.S. Milliken & S. Feniger, all rights reserved

Ingredients
1-1/2 pounds dried salt cod (Bacalhau)
1/2 medium yellow onion, sliced
2 bay leaves
6 medium red or white rose potatoes
1/3 cup plus 2 tablespoons fruity Spanish olive oil
4 medium onions, cut crosswise into 1/8 inch slices and separated into rings
6 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup dry white wine
2 cups fish stock or clam juice
1 1/2 cups heavy cream
24 oilcured black olives, pitted and coarsely chopped

1/4 cup grated Gruyere cheese
1/4 cup fresh bread crumbs
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons parsley, finely chopped

Directions
To prepare the salt cod: Rinse the cod well and then
immerse it in a container of cold water (cut into chunks, if necessary, to fit).
Refrigerate, changing the soaking water 2 or 3 times, until softened (12 to 24
hours, depending on how stiff it was to begin with). Drain the cod, place it in a
large saucepan with the onion and the bay leaves, and cover with cold water. Bring
just to a boil, reduce the heat to very low, and cover (taste the water at this
stage and, if it seems excessively salty, then drain, cover again with fresh cold
water, and bring to a boil). Simmer very gently until the fish is opaque and

plumped, and falls apart into heavy flakes when prodded, about 20 minutes.
Drain, pat dry, and remove the bones and skin, if necessary. Separate into large
flakes and use right away, or refrigerate for up to 2 days before continuing with
the recipe.
In a large saucepan of lightly salted boiling water, cook the potatoes whole for
about 20 minutes, or until they are tender but not falling apart. Drain and, when
cool enough to handle, peel and cut into 1/4 inch slices. In a large heavy
skillet, heat 1/3 cup of the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion rings and,
stirring frequently, cook until they are softened and translucent but not browned,
about 8 minutes. Stir in the garlic and remove from the heat.
Preheat the oven to 275 degrees F. In a heavy saucepan, reduce the wine by half
over medium high heat. Add the fish stock and again reduce by half, then add the
cream and reduce by 1/3, so that you have about 2 cups liquid remaining.
Pour this liquid into an earthenware or ceramic casserole about 8 inches in

diameter with 4 inch sides. Spread half of the potatoes in the bottom of the
casserole, cover them with half of the cod and half of the onions, using a slotted
spoon to transfer the onions. Scatter half of the olives over the first layer.
Repeat the layer with the remaining potatoes, cod, onions, and olives.
In a small bowl, toss the cheese, bread crumbs, black pepper, and the remaining 2
tablespoons olive oil together, then distribute this mixture evenly over the
casserole. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the top is golden and crisp. If
desired, run the dish under a hot broiler briefly to crisp the topping even more.
Scatter the parsley over the top and serve directly from the casserole.