Best 3 Bacalao Escaixada Recipes

Embark on a culinary journey to the vibrant shores of Catalonia with Bacalao Escaixada, a traditional Catalan dish that captures the essence of Mediterranean flavors. This delightful salad showcases the delicate texture of salted cod, skillfully combined with a medley of fresh vegetables, including bell peppers, onions, tomatoes, and olives. Dressed in a light and tangy vinaigrette, Bacalao Escaixada offers a symphony of textures and flavors that will tantalize your taste buds.

This versatile dish can be enjoyed as an appetizer, a light lunch, or a refreshing side dish to accompany grilled meats or fish. Its vibrant colors and inviting aroma make it a feast for the eyes and the palate. Additionally, the article provides two variations of Bacalao Escaixada: one featuring roasted peppers for a smoky twist and the other incorporating succulent shrimp for an extra layer of seafood delight. So, prepare to immerse yourself in the culinary heritage of Catalonia with this delectable Bacalao Escaixada and its delightful variations.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

BACALAO A LA VIZCAINA (BASQUE STYLE CODFISH STEW)

Bacalao a la Vizcaina (Basque Style Codfish Stew) image

This Spanish-style fish stew from the Basque region of Spain is a traditional peasant dish popular in all Spanish-speaking countries (where each has given it their special twist). For example, in Mexico it is usually made for Christmas, New Year's Eve, and Lent; in Puerto Rico it is a year-round favorite but most enjoyed during Lent. This is one of the Puerto Rican versions.

Provided by Milly Suazo-Martinez

Categories Soups, Stews and Chili Recipes Stews Seafood

Time 9h15m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 14

Ingredients

1 pound salted cod fish
4 potatoes, sliced thick
2 onions, sliced
4 hard-boiled eggs, sliced
2 teaspoons capers
2 large cloves garlic, minced
¼ cup pitted green olives
1 (4 ounce) jar roasted red bell peppers, drained
½ cup golden raisins
1 bay leaf
1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
½ cup extra virgin olive oil
1 cup water
¼ cup white wine

Steps:

Soak the salted cod in about 2 quarts of water, changing the water 3 times over the course of 8 hours. Drain and cut the fish into bite-size pieces.
Layer the half of each ingredient in the following order: potatoes, cod fish, onions, hard-boiled eggs, capers, garlic, olives, roasted red peppers, and raisins. Place the bay leaf on top, then pour half the tomato sauce and half the olive oil. Repeat with the remaining ingredients in the same order. Pour the water and white wine on top. Do not stir.
Cover and bring to a boil over medium heat. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until the potatoes are tender, about 30 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 474.5 calories, Carbohydrate 31.6 g, Cholesterol 192.3 mg, Fat 18.9 g, Fiber 3.8 g, Protein 42.3 g, SaturatedFat 3.2 g, Sodium 4353.3 mg, Sugar 9.3 g

BACALAO GUISADO (CODFISH STEW)

Bacalao Guisado (Codfish Stew) image

Provided by Food Network

Categories main-dish

Time 45m

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 13

Ingredients

3 pounds dried codfish
1 gallon water
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 green bell pepper, chopped
1 medium onion, chopped
2 large tomatoes, chopped
2 culantro* leaves, chopped
2 whole bay leaves
2 red bell peppers, chopped
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 tablespoon capers
2 potatoes, peeled, diced and boiled until tender
4 sprigs cilantro, leaves chopped, for garnish

Steps:

In a large pot, add the codfish and cover with 1 gallon of water. Bring it to a boil and cook for 10 minutes to remove the salt. Drain the cod and break it into small flakes with a spoon. Set aside.
In a large frying pan heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the green peppers, onion, tomatoes, and culantro and cook for 2 minutes. Add the codfish, bay leaves, red bell peppers, tomato paste, and capers. Cook until the vegetables are soft, about 5 minutes. Add the boiled potatoes and cook until heated through, about 2 more minutes.
Garnish with cilantro. Serve with rice or cooked plantains, if desired.
Serving suggestion: white rice or cooked plantains.

MARIA'S PORTUGUESE BACALAU

Maria's Portuguese Bacalau image

This is a traditional Portuguese dish that brings back memories of mom. It is not only tasty but it is always a hit at parties. Plan ahead, because the salted cod needs to soak for 24 hours.

Provided by BINGADING

Categories World Cuisine Recipes European Portuguese

Time P1DT2h

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 12

Ingredients

2 pounds dried salted cod fish
4 Yukon Gold potatoes
3 tablespoons butter
2 yellow onions, thinly sliced
2 cloves garlic, chopped, divided
½ cup chopped fresh parsley, divided
¾ cup olive oil
1 ½ teaspoons red pepper flakes
freshly ground pepper to taste
4 hard cooked eggs, chopped
10 pitted green olives
10 pitted black olives

Steps:

Soak the dried salted cod in cold water for 24 hours, changing the water several times.
Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the soaked cod, and boil for about 5 minutes, or until fish flakes easily with a fork. Remove cod from water, and save water for cooking potatoes. Remove skin and bones from the cod, and flake the meat into pieces using a fork. Set fish aside in a large bowl.
In a small bowl, stir together the olive oil, 1 clove of garlic, 1 tablespoon of parsley, red pepper flakes, and black pepper. Pour over the fish, and toss lightly to coat.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Place the potatoes into the fish water, and bring to a boil. Cook for 20 minutes, or until tender. Drain under cool water, peel and cut into 1/4 inch slices.
While the potatoes are cooking, melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onions, and saute until golden and caramelized. Stir one clove of garlic into the onions. Set aside.
Layer half of the potato slices in the bottom of a greased 8x11 inch baking dish. Cover with half of the cod, then half of the onions. Repeat layers, ending with onion.
Bake for 15 minutes in the preheated oven, until lightly browned. Before serving, garnish the top with green and black olives, and hard-cooked eggs. Sprinkle with remaining parsley.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 701 calories, Carbohydrate 25.2 g, Cholesterol 277 mg, Fat 31.3 g, Fiber 2.5 g, Protein 77.1 g, SaturatedFat 7 g, Sodium 8223.1 mg, Sugar 1.5 g

Tips:

Use good quality codfish. The fresher the codfish, the better the escaixada will be.
Soak the codfish for at least 24 hours in cold water, changing the water every 8 hours. This will help to remove the salt from the codfish.
After soaking, flake the codfish into small pieces. Remove any bones or skin.
Use a variety of vegetables in your escaixada. Some good choices include tomatoes, onions, peppers, and cucumbers.
Dress the escaixada with a simple vinaigrette made with olive oil, vinegar, and salt and pepper.
Serve the escaixada chilled or at room temperature.

Conclusion:

Bacalao escaixada is a delicious and refreshing salad that is perfect for a summer meal. It is also a very healthy dish, as it is packed with protein, vegetables, and healthy fats. If you are looking for a new and exciting way to enjoy codfish, then you should definitely try bacalao escaixada.