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Main CourseDinner

Bacalhau à Gomes de Sá

This classic Portuguese cod dish features flaked salt cod baked with onions, potatoes, and olives. It's a comforting and flavorful meal, perfect for a family dinner.

An original recipe by Forkin

Total time
1 hr 45 min
Serves
4
Difficulty
Medium

Allergen information: may contain eggs and fish. Always check ingredient packaging if you have an allergy.

Bacalhau à Gomes de Sá

Mise en place

Ingredients

Ingredients

  • 500 gsalt cod, desalted and flaked
  • 500 gpotato, peeled and thinly sliced
  • 2 pcsyellow onion, thinly sliced
  • 3 clovegarlic clove, minced
  • 0.5 cupolive oil
  • 0.5 cupblack olive, pitted
  • 1 tspsalt
  • 0.5 tspblack pepper, ground

garnish

  • 0.25 cupfresh parsley, chopped
  • 2 pcshard-boiled egg, sliced

Equipment

large skillet · large pot · knife · baking dish

The method

Step by step

  1. 1

    If using un-desalted salt cod, soak it in cold water for 24-48 hours, changing the water several times, until it is adequately desalted. Then, drain and flake the cod.

    Cook’s note: Taste a small piece of the cod to ensure proper desalting. It should be savory, not overly salty.

  2. 2

    Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F).

    About 5 min

  3. 3

    In a large pot, boil the potatoes in salted water until they are tender but still hold their shape, about 10-15 minutes. Drain well and set aside.

    About 15 min

    Cook’s note: Do not overcook the potatoes, as they will continue to cook in the oven.

  4. 4

    In a large skillet or pan, heat half of the olive oil over medium heat. Add the yellow onion and cook until softened and translucent, about 8-10 minutes.

    About 10 min

    Cook’s note: Cook the onions slowly to bring out their sweetness.

  5. 5

    Add the garlic clove to the skillet with the onions and cook for another minute until fragrant.

    About 1 min

    Cook’s note: Be careful not to burn the garlic.

  6. 6

    Gently fold in the flaked salt cod, black olives, salt, and black pepper into the onion mixture. Cook for 2-3 minutes, just to warm through.

    About 3 min

  7. 7

    In a large baking dish, arrange a layer of the cooked potatoes. Top with a layer of the cod and onion mixture.

    About 5 min

  8. 8

    Repeat the layers until all ingredients are used, finishing with a layer of potatoes on top.

    About 2 min

  9. 9

    Drizzle the remaining olive oil evenly over the top of the dish.

    About 1 min

  10. 10

    Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until heated through and lightly golden on top.

    About 30 min

    Cook’s note: If the top browns too quickly, you can loosely cover it with foil.

  11. 11

    Remove from the oven and garnish with fresh parsley and sliced hard-boiled egg.

    About 1 min

  12. 12

    Serve hot.

Keep it good

Storage

Store leftover Bacalhau à Gomes de Sá in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Reheating

Reheat gently in the oven or microwave until warmed through.