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.