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Bacalhau

Preserved cod holds up well to several hours in the slow cooker. Salting and drying fish and packing it in barrels is a time-honored method of preservation brought to California by Portuguese immigrants like my grandmother’s people, who came to this country from their home in the Azores.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    serves 4

Ingredients

1

pound salt cod

1

/4 cup olive oil, plus extra for coating

1

large yellow onion, sliced

2

cloves garlic, minced

4

large potatoes, peeled and sliced

1

(28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes

1

/2 cup heavy whipping cream

20

stuffed green olives, for garnish

2

tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese, for garnish

Need to make a substitution?

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Soak the cod in the refrigerator in two or three changes of water overnight. Remove any bones or skin and, using your fingers, shred the flesh.

    Step 2

    Place a large sauté pan over medium-high heat and add the oil. Sauté the onion until golden brown, about 15 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 2 minutes.

    Step 3

    Coat the bottom of the slow cooker with olive oil. Arrange half of the sliced potatoes in the bottom of the cooker. Cover with a layer of half the fish, followed by a layer of half the onion mixture. Pour half of the crushed tomatoes on top.

    Step 4

    Repeat the layering with the remaining potatoes, fish, onion mixture, and tomatoes.

    Step 5

    Cover and cook on low for 4 to 6 hours, until the potatoes are very tender.

    Step 6

    A half hour before serving, pour in the cream evenly over the fish.

    Step 7

    Divide the fish and vegetables among 4 shallow bowls and garnish each with 5 green olives and a dusting of Parmesan cheese. Serve hot with a loaf of crusty bread.

The Gourmet Slow Cooker: Volume II