Bacalhau

Bacalhau à alentejana

Cod flakes with potatoes, onion, garlic and Alentejo olive oil — robust simplicity from southern Portugal.

RegionAlentejo / olive oil kitchen
DifficultyMedium
Total time1 hour
Servings4 to 6 servings
Photo of Bacalhau à alentejana — traditional Portuguese recipe
Photo of the traditional Portuguese recipe.

Editorial content from Empório Portugal. Traditional recipes may vary by region, family and cook.

About the recipe

Alentejo cod is close to the logic of olive oil cuisine: few ingredients, lots of flavour and respect for the product.

Potatoes, onions and garlic form the base — the desalted cod comes in at the end to prevent it from drying out.

Ingredients

  • 650 g desalted cod flakes
  • 5 sliced potatoes
  • 3 onions
  • 6 garlic cloves
  • 180 ml Alentejo olive oil
  • 1 bay leaf
  • Coriander or parsley
  • Black pepper

Method

  1. Sauté the onions and garlic in olive oil with the bay leaf.
  2. Add potatoes and cover with water until half their height.
  3. Cook until the potatoes are soft.
  4. Add the cod and cook for 8 to 10 minutes.
  5. Let the excess liquid evaporate.
  6. Season with pepper, finish with coriander and serve.

Tips from Empório Portugal

  • Good quality olive oil defines the dish.
  • Do not overmix to avoid breaking up the cod.
  • Serve in the same clay pot, if possible.

Possible substitutions in Brazil

  • Coriander can be swapped for parsley.
  • Coração de Boi potatoes hold their shape well during cooking.

Pairing

An Alentejo red wine or an Antão Vaz white. Content intended for people over 18 years of age. Drink in moderation.

Editorial note from Empório Portugal

This recipe is part of the editorial curation of Empório Portugal, developed from Portuguese culinary tradition. Like every traditional recipe, it may vary by region, family and cook.

Do you have a Portuguese family recipe?

Send it to the Empório Portugal community. Submitted recipes are reviewed before any publication.

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Quick facts

Prep
25 min
Cooking
35 min
Total time
1 hour
Yield
4 to 6 servings
Difficulty
Medium
Occasion
Family lunch, olive oil cooking

Pairing

An Alentejo red wine or an Antão Vaz white. Content intended for people over 18 years of age. Drink in moderation.

Empório tip

Good quality olive oil defines the dish.

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