Best 4 Salt Cod Fritters Recipes

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Salt cod fritters, also known as bolinhos de bacalhau in Portuguese, are a classic dish in Portugal and many other countries around the world. These fritters are made with a combination of shredded salt cod, potatoes, onions, parsley, and eggs, which are then deep-fried until golden brown and crispy. The result is a delicious and savory snack or appetizer that can be enjoyed on any occasion.

In this article, we will provide you with two different recipes for salt cod fritters: a traditional Portuguese recipe and a modern twist on the classic. The traditional recipe uses simple ingredients and techniques to create a timeless dish that is sure to please everyone. The modern recipe adds a few unexpected ingredients, such as sun-dried tomatoes and capers, to create a more complex and flavorful fritter.

Both recipes are easy to follow and can be made with ingredients that are readily available at most grocery stores. So whether you are a fan of traditional Portuguese cuisine or looking to try something new, these salt cod fritters are sure to hit the spot.

Here are our top 4 tried and tested recipes!

SALT COD FRITTERS: PASTEIS DE BACALHAU



Salt Cod Fritters: Pasteis De Bacalhau image

Provided by Tyler Florence

Categories     appetizer

Yield 25 cod fritters

Number Of Ingredients 11

1 pound dried salt cod
2 cups milk
4 medium Idaho potatoes
1 large Spanish onion, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 handful fresh flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped
1 handful fresh cilantro, finely chopped
2 large eggs
Freshly ground black pepper and sea salt, if needed
Vegetable oil, for frying
Lemon wedges, for serving

Steps:

  • Starting a day ahead, soak the dried cod in cold water for 12 to 24 hours, changing the water several times to remove the majority of the salt. Drain the cod, rinse, and put it in a large pot. Add the milk and enough water to cover by 1-inch; cooking the cod in milk keeps it really moist. Simmer gently over medium-low heat for 20 to 25 minutes, until the cod is tender and pliable. Drain and rinse well, then flake the cod into a bowl with your hands, removing any little bits of skin and bone.
  • While the cod is cooking, pour 1-inch of water in a large pot fitted with a steamer insert. Add the potatoes and simmer on medium heat for 20 to 25 minutes until very tender. Drain the potatoes, peel off the skins, and mash them well with a potato masher or pass them through a ricer or sieve.
  • Add the cod to the potatoes, along with the onion, garlic, parsley, cilantro, and eggs. Beat the mixture firmly with a wooden spoon so that it well combined and firm ¿ a spoon should stand up in it. (If you find it too dry, add 1 or 2 tablespoons of milk.) Season with a pinch of pepper and taste for salt - you may not need to add any, as the cod itself retains enough saltiness, in spite of being soaked and boiled. With lightly moistened hands or using 2 tablespoons, shape the cod mixture into egg-shaped balls ¿ you should get about 25. (The cod balls can be covered and refrigerated for up to 1 day before cooking or frozen in a container.)
  • Heat 3-inches of oil in a deep heavy skillet or pot to 370 degrees F. Add a few of the cod balls at a time to the hot oil, turning them 3 or 4 times to get nicely browned all over. Carefully lift the cod fritters out of the pan with a slotted spoon and place on a platter lined with paper towels to drain. Repeat. Serve hot or at room temperature with lemon wedges.

SALT COD FRITTERS



Salt Cod Fritters image

Provided by Emeril Lagasse

Categories     appetizer

Time 1h25m

Yield 24 fritters

Number Of Ingredients 21

1/4 teaspoon salt
1 large russet potato, about 12 ounces, peeled and cubed (about 3/4 cup)
1 cup shredded salt cod (about 6 ounces), recipe follows
1/4 cup finely chopped green onions
2 tablespoons finely chopped parsley leaves
2 large eggs
1/8 teaspoon cayenne
Vegetable oil, for frying
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
3 1/4 teaspoons Essence or Creole seasoning, recipe follows
3 tablespoons milk
2/3 cup fine dry bread crumbs
2 1/2 tablespoons paprika
2 tablespoons salt
2 tablespoons garlic powder
1 tablespoon black pepper
1 tablespoon onion powder
1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
1 tablespoon dried oregano
1 tablespoon dried thyme
1 pound dried salt cod, cut into 4-inch pieces

Steps:

  • In a small saucepan, bring the potato and enough water to cover to a boil. Reduce the heat and cook just until fork tender, about 12 minutes. Drain and transfer to a large bowl to cool for 10 minutes.
  • With the back of a heavy fork, mash the potatoes until smooth but still slightly lumpy. Add the salt cod, green onions, parsley, 1 egg, the salt, and cayenne and mix until smooth.
  • In a large, deep heavy pot or electric deep fryer, heat enough oil to come halfway up the sides to 350 degrees F.
  • In a small bowl, combine the flour and 1 teaspoon of the Essence. In another bowl, beat together the remaining egg, the milk, and 1/4 teaspoon of the Essence, and in a third bowl, combine the breadcrumbs with the remaining 2 teaspoons Essence.
  • Divide the cod mixture into 24 and form into balls, about 1 1/4-inches in diameter and 1 heaping tablespoon each.
  • One at a time, dip the cod balls in the flour and roll to coat evenly on all sides. Shake to remove any excess flour, dip in the egg wash, and then roll in the seasoned breadcrumbs. Place on a baking sheet.
  • In batches, gently add the balls to the oil and cook until golden brown on all sides, about 2 1/2 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.
  • Serve immediately.
  • Combine all ingredients thoroughly.
  • Recipe from "New New Orleans Cooking", by Emeril Lagasse and Jessie Tirsch
  • Published by William and Morrow, 1993.
  • In a large glass or ceramic dish, lay the salt cod in a single layer. Add enough water to cover the fish by 1-inch, cover the pan tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 6 hours.
  • Drain the fish in a colander and rinse under cold running water. Place the fish on a work surface covered with paper towels and press each piece firmly with your hands. Pat the fish dry with paper towels and return to the soaking dish. Cover with fresh water, soaking and draining a total of three more times (for a total of 4 times in all).
  • Place the rinsed and dried salt cod in an airtight container until ready to use, and refrigerate for up to 1 week.

SALT COD FRITTERS



Salt Cod Fritters image

Categories     Bread     Fry     Cod     Simmer     Boil

Yield makes about 24 fritters (6 appetizer servings)

Number Of Ingredients 16

For the Fritters
1 pound boneless salt cod (see note below), soaked as described on page 299
2 slices day-old white bread
1 small red bell pepper cut in half, or half a large pepper, core, seeds, and stem removed
2 large eggs
2 tablespoons chopped fresh Italian parsley
2 tablespoons small capers, rinsed and drained
Freshly ground black pepper to taste
Fine, dry bread crumbs, if needed
For Battering/Frying
2 cups beer
2 large egg yolks
Grated zest of 1 lemon
1 3/4 cups unbleached flour, plus more for dredging the fritters
Vegetable oil as needed
2 lemons, sliced, optional

Steps:

  • Place the cod in a 3-quart saucepan. Pour in enough water to cover by at least three fingers. Bring the water to a boil over high heat. Adjust the heat to simmering and cook just until the cod starts to flake, from 5 to 12 minutes, depending on the size and shape of the piece(s) you are cooking. Drain the salt cod thoroughly and let stand until cool enough to work with.
  • Meanwhile, put the bread in a small bowl and pour in enough cold water to cover. Let stand several minutes, until soaked through. While the bread is soaking, slip the pepper halves into the water with the cod. Simmer 2 minutes, fish them out, and let cool.
  • Squeeze the excess water from the bread and place the squeezed bread in a mixing bowl. Pat the pepper dry and cut it into fine dice and add to the bread along with the eggs, pepper, parsley, and capers. Beat with a fork until the eggs and bread are thoroughly mixed. Flake the cooled salt cod into 1-inch pieces and stir into the egg mixture. Refrigerate until thoroughly chilled, about 30 minutes. At this point, test the consistency of the cod mixture. Roll a heaping tablespoon into a ball; the cod mixture should be firm enough to hold its shape. If not, add bread crumbs, about 1 teaspoon at a time, until it is firm enough.
  • Make the batter
  • In a separate mixing bowl, whisk the beer, egg yolks, and lemon zest until smooth. Add 1 3/4 cups of flour and whisk just until smooth. Let the batter stand at room temperature at least 15 minutes or up to 1 hour.
  • Pour enough vegetable oil into a deep 12-inch skillet to fill it by 1 1/2 inches. Heat over medium heat until it registers 350° F on a deep-frying thermometer. Preheat the oven to "Warm" or to the lowest setting, and line a baking sheet with paper towels.
  • While the oil is coming to temperature, form the fritters: Roll 1 tablespoon of the salt-cod mixture between your palms into an egg shape. Repeat until you have used up all the mixture. You should have about twenty-four fritters. Dredge the fritters in the additional flour to coat lightly on all sides, and drop them into the batter.
  • With a wire skimmer, remove a few of the fritters at a time from the batter, allowing excess batter to drip back into the bowl. Slip the fritters into the oil. Add only as many fritters as will float freely in the oil. Don't overcrowd the pan or the oil temperature will drop significantly and the fritters will be soggy and oily. Fry, turning the fritters as necessary, until they are evenly golden brown on all sides, about 5 minutes. While the fritters are frying, adjust the heat as necessary to keep the temperature of the oil as close to 350° F as possible. Transfer the fritters with the skimmer to the prepared baking sheet. Keep them warm in the oven and repeat as necessary with the remaining fritters. Serve hot, with lemon slices, if you like.

SALT COD FRITTERS



Salt Cod Fritters image

Salt cod, often called by the fish's Spanish name, bacalao, or some variation, is still popular, but not because salting is the most efficient way of preserving fish; about a hundred years ago, freezing claimed that honor. Salting completely transforms cod's flavor and texture, allowing all sorts of dishes that are not possible with fresh cod or, for that matter, with anything else. At least not with such character.

Provided by Mark Bittman

Categories     dinner, appetizer, main course

Time 30m

Yield 6 to 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 9

1 pound boneless salt cod, soaked overnight, drained and poached 15 minutes
1 onion, minced
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 teaspoon black pepper or more, or cayenne to taste
1 cup flour
2 eggs
1/2 cup fresh chopped parsley or cilantro
Corn, grape seed, canola or other neutral oil for deep-frying
Lime wedges

Steps:

  • Chop salt cod with a knife, and then shred it with your fingers. Combine it with the onion, garlic and pepper in a bowl, and mix well with a wooden spoon. Add flour, and stir a few times; then beat in eggs one at a time. Add about 1/2 cup water, and stir; continue to add water (about 1/4 cup more), until a batter forms -- it should be a bit thicker than pancake batter -- and then stir in the herb.
  • Letting mixture rest, put about 3 inches of oil in a deep saucepan, and turn heat to medium-high; bring to 350 degrees. (A drop of batter will sizzle energetically when oil reaches that temperature.) Gently drop tablespoonfuls of cod mixture into oil, and fry, turning once, until golden brown, about 5 minutes. Work in batches, taking care not to crowd fritters.
  • Drain on paper towels, and serve with lime wedges, or keep in a warm oven until ready to serve.

Tips:

  • Use high-quality salt cod. This will ensure that your fritters are flavorful and have a good texture.
  • Soak the salt cod properly. This will help to remove the excess salt and make the fish easier to work with.
  • Don't overmix the batter. Overmixing will make the fritters tough.
  • Use a large frying pan or griddle. This will help to prevent the fritters from overcrowding and sticking together.
  • Cook the fritters over medium heat. This will help to prevent them from burning.
  • Serve the fritters hot with your favorite dipping sauce.

Conclusion:

Salt cod fritters are a delicious and easy-to-make appetizer or snack. They are perfect for parties or potlucks. With a few simple ingredients and a little bit of time, you can enjoy these tasty fritters in no time. So next time you're looking for a new recipe to try, give salt cod fritters a try. You won't be disappointed.

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