Pastéis de Bacalhau

Name: Pastéis de Bacalhau
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 55 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: Portuguese
Ingredients: 8 oz dried salt cod (bacalhau), soaked; 1 lb Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled, cubed; 1/4 cup yellow onion, finely minced; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 2 large eggs, beaten; 1/4 cup flat-leaf parsley, chopped; 1/4 tsp ground black pepper; 4 cups vegetable oil

55 minMediumServes 6270 cal/serving

PortugueseAppetizerStovetopPescatarianGluten-FreeDairy-FreeNut-FreeShellfish-Free

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Ingredients

8 oz dried salt cod (bacalhau), soaked
1 lb Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled, cubed
1/4 cup yellow onion, finely minced
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 large eggs, beaten
1/4 cup flat-leaf parsley, chopped
1/4 tsp ground black pepper
4 cups vegetable oil

Instructions

1

Soak 8 oz dried salt cod (bacalhau) in cold water for 24 hours, changing the water 3 times. Drain it well.
2

Poach 8 oz dried salt cod (bacalhau) in a pot of simmering water for 10 minutes, until it flakes and reaches 145°F inside. Cool, then pull off the skin and bones and shred the fish finely.
3

Boil 1 lb Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled, cubed, until tender, about 15 minutes. Drain and mash until smooth, then let cool.
4

Stir the shredded cod into the mashed Yukon Gold potatoes with 1/4 cup finely minced yellow onion, 2 cloves garlic, 1/4 cup chopped flat-leaf parsley, and 1/4 tsp ground black pepper. Mix in 2 large eggs, beaten. Chill the mixture 30 minutes so it firms up.
5

Heat 4 cups vegetable oil to 350°F in a deep pot. Shape the mixture into small ovals with two spoons.
6

Fry in batches 4 to 5 minutes, until deep golden. Drain on paper towels and serve hot.

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Questions

What is Pastéis de Bacalhau?

Golden fried cakes of shredded salt cod, mashed potato, parsley, and garlic, the snack served in Portuguese pastelarias and at every festa. Plan ahead: soak the salt cod for 24 hours and chill the mixture 30 minutes. This reference files it under Portuguese appetizer: made on the stovetop, rated medium and about 55 minutes start to finish.

How long does Pastéis de Bacalhau take?

As written, 55 minutes: 30 of prep and 25 of cooking. The longest single stretch is the hands-off wait in step 1, 24 hours. That wait sits outside the stated prep and cook times, so plan around it.

How hot should the oil be for Pastéis de Bacalhau?

For Pastéis de Bacalhau, the target internal temperature is 145 F (about 65 C), given in step 2. A probe thermometer removes the guesswork. The frying oil is held at 350 F (about 175 C) in step 5. Hotter scorches the outside before the inside cooks, and cooler turns it greasy.

Does Pastéis de Bacalhau contain fish?

Yes: 8 oz dried salt cod (bacalhau), soaked. The full allergen list for this entry is eggs and fish. Packaged ingredients vary by brand, so check labels if the allergy is serious.

Can I start Pastéis de Bacalhau the day before?

Yes. Step 1 is a built-in pause of 24 hours: "Soak 8 oz dried salt cod (bacalhau) in cold water for 24 hours, changing the water 3 times." Do everything up to that point ahead of time and pick up at step 2 when you are ready to finish.

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