Brandade with Fresh Salted Cod

Ingredients

• 3/4 pound fresh cod
• Kosher salt
• 1 bay leaf
• 1/2 teaspoons peppercorns
• 1 sprig thyme
• Pinch cayenne pepper
• 1/2 onion
• 5 cloves garlic
• 3 cups milk
• 1/4 pound baking potatoes, like russets
• 1/4 pound waxy potatoes, like Yukon Golds
• 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 2 stalks green garlic or 2 cloves garlic

Directions

Salt the cod very generously with kosher salt. Place in a perforated pan or colander and let sit, refrigerated, for 2 days.

Add the herbs, spices onion and garlic cloves to the milk and heat for 5 minutes, do not let boil. Add the cod and poach until tender, around 5 to 7 minutes.

Gently remove the cod with a slotted spoon. Remove any bones and skin. Meanwhile peel and chunk the potatoes. Cook in well-seasoned water or better still, use the milk the fish was poached in. When the potatoes are tender drain, and puree them, either in a ricer or a mixer using the paddle attachment. Pull out 1/3 of the potatoes and add the cod.

Mix well, at medium speed if using a mixer, drizzling in the olive oil and a bit of the cooking liquid. Keep mixing and adding liquid until the desired consistency is reached. Pound the green garlic or 2 cloves of garlic to a fine paste in a mortar and pestle and stir into the puree.

For an even more full flavored brandade, pass the onion, garlic, and aromatics through a food mill and stir some of this puree in as well. Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed