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Uncle Vincent's Christmas Eve Baccala
Recipe courtesy Rao’s Restaurant
Show:  Melting Pot
Episode:  A Melting Pot Holiday
4 pounds dried salt cod, cut into 3-inch pieces, soaked
8 to 10 all-purpose potatoes, peeled and quartered
1 cup fine quality olive oil
1 bunch celery, trimmed, well washed, and cut into 3-inch pieces
1 large onion, chopped
2 cups Gaeta olives, pitted
4 (28-ounce) cans hand crushed San Marzano plum tomatoes, with juice
12 cups chicken broth
Salt, to taste

Soak the cod in cold water to cover in a cool spot or refrigerator for at least 24 hours or up to 3 days, changing the water frequently. After 24 hours, break off a tiny piece of fish and taste for saltiness. If fish is still quite salty, continue soaking until water is very clear and fish is almost sweet in taste.

Place potatoes in cold water to cover. Bring to a boil over high heat and cook for about 15 minutes or until potatoes are almost cooked through. Drain.

Heat oil in a large, heavy bottomed casserole over medium heat. Add the celery and saute for about 5 minutes, then add the onion and saute until vegetables begin to get soft. Add the olives and saute for an additional minute. Stir in the tomatoes and their juice. Bring to a boil. Lower heat and simmer for 10 minutes.

Stir in broth and return to simmer.

Stir in the potatoes and the soaked baccala and simmer for about 10 minutes or until the potatoes are cooked and the baccala flakes when poked with a fork.

Taste and, if necessary, add salt. Serve hot.

Note: Often, salt cod dishes will require no additional salt. Therefore, always taste before adding any seasoning.

Other Recipes from this Episode
Eggs with Caviar
Antipasto
Christmas Coquito (Ensalada de Naranja)
Roasted Sweet Pepper Salad
Basil Marinara
Collard Greens with Smoked Turkey Wings
Buttermilk Cornbread
Arroz con Gandules
Raspberry Tea Cookies (Ciastka Z Konserwa)
Warm Indian Rice Pudding
Hungarian Crepes
Brown Stewed Tilefish
Guava Glazed Pork Loin
Stuffed Broiled Lobster
Whiting with Garlic and Lemon
Octopus Salad
Baccala in Red Sauce
Eel Livornese
Stuffed Calamari
Baccala Salad
Linguine with Anchovy Hot Peppers
Zeppole with Anchovy
Tres Leches: Three Milk Cake

Recipe Summary
Prep Time: 24 hours
Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Yield: 12 servings

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