Cuban Codfish Potato Bake
This delightful Cuban Codfish Potato Bake is a comforting and flavorful dish that showcases the traditional flavors of Bacalao a La Gallega. A perfect blend of tender potatoes, flaky salt cod, and sweet peas, this pudding-like casserole is enriched with creamy butter and egg, making it an inviting meal for family gatherings or casual dinners. It's versatile too; you can prepare it in advance and simply bake it when you're ready to serve. Pair it with a refreshing avocado and purple onion salad along with some crispy fried green plantains for a complete culinary experience that will transport your taste buds straight to Cuba!
N/A
Servings
100
Calories
14
Ingredients
Ingredients
Unsalted butter
2 tablespoons (at room temperature)
Heavy cream
1/3 cup
Eggs
4 large (well beaten)
Sweet peas
1 cup (drained canned or frozen)
Ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon
Potatoes
4 medium (cut in half)
Salt cod fish
1 lb (desalted, cooked, and flaked)
Salt
to taste
Fresh ground black pepper
to taste
Crushed red pepper flakes
to taste
Fresh parsley
1 teaspoon (finely chopped)
Cracker meal or breadcrumbs
1/4 cup
Fresh parsley leaves
for garnish
Nonstick cooking spray
as needed
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2
In a medium-sized saucepan, place the halved potatoes and cover them with salted water. Cook over medium heat for about 20 to 25 minutes or until the potatoes are tender.
3
Once cooked, drain the potatoes and use a potato masher or fork to mash them until smooth.
4
Stir in the flaked and desalted codfish gently into the mashed potatoes, followed by the heavy cream, softened unsalted butter, and well-beaten eggs. Mix thoroughly after each addition to ensure a uniform texture.
5
Add the drained sweet peas, ground nutmeg, salt, black pepper, crushed red pepper flakes, and chopped parsley to the potato mixture. Stir well to combine all the ingredients.
6
Prepare an 8-inch casserole dish by lightly greasing it with cooking spray or butter. Spoon the potato-codfish mixture into the dish, spreading it evenly.
7
Place the casserole dish on the middle rack of the preheated oven and bake for 40 to 45 minutes or until the top is golden brown and puffed up.
8
Remove from the oven and let cool slightly. Garnish with fresh parsley leaves before serving.
9
For a delicious accompaniment, serve with avocado and sliced purple onion salad, fried green plantains, and a loaf of fresh bread.
Nutrition Information
5g
Fat
11g
Carbs
4g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Cuban Codfish Potato Bake?
It is a comforting casserole that blends tender potatoes, flaky salt cod, and sweet peas, inspired by the traditional flavors of Bacalao a La Gallega.
How do I prepare the salt cod for this recipe?
The salt cod must be desalted, cooked, and flaked before being added to the potato mixture.
What is the recommended oven temperature?
The oven should be preheated to 350°F (175°C).
How long do the potatoes need to boil?
The halved potatoes should be cooked in salted water for 20 to 25 minutes until tender.
Can I use frozen peas instead of canned?
Yes, you can use either drained canned or frozen sweet peas.
What provides the creamy texture in the bake?
The combination of heavy cream, softened unsalted butter, and well-beaten eggs creates the creamy, pudding-like consistency.
How many eggs are required for this dish?
This recipe calls for 4 large, well-beaten eggs.
Is this Cuban Codfish Potato Bake spicy?
It contains crushed red pepper flakes to taste, allowing for a mild kick that can be adjusted.
What size casserole dish is needed?
An 8-inch casserole dish is the recommended size for this recipe.
How long does the dish take to bake?
It should be baked for 40 to 45 minutes or until the top is golden brown and puffed up.
What side dishes pair well with this bake?
It is delicious when served with an avocado and purple onion salad, fried green plantains, and fresh bread.
Can I make this dish ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the mixture in advance and bake it when you are ready to serve.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
The recipe includes cracker meal or breadcrumbs; to make it gluten-free, use a gluten-free breadcrumb substitute.
What garnish is used for the final presentation?
Fresh parsley leaves are used to garnish the dish after it has cooled slightly.
How many calories are in a serving?
Based on the nutritional information, there are 100 calories per serving.
What kind of butter should I use?
Use 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter at room temperature.
Can I substitute the heavy cream?
While heavy cream provides the best texture, half-and-half can be used as a substitute if necessary.
What spices are used to season the mixture?
The mixture is seasoned with ground nutmeg, salt, black pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes.
How do I know when the bake is finished?
The bake is ready when the top is golden brown and the casserole has puffed up in the oven.
Do I need to grease the baking dish?
Yes, the 8-inch casserole dish should be lightly greased with cooking spray or butter.
What is the purpose of the cracker meal?
Cracker meal or breadcrumbs help provide structure and texture to the potato-codfish mixture.
What is the fat content per serving?
There are 5g of fat per serving in this recipe.
How much protein does this dish provide?
Each serving contains approximately 4g of protein.
How many carbohydrates are in one serving?
There are 11g of carbohydrates per serving.
What type of salad is recommended?
A refreshing avocado and sliced purple onion salad is suggested as an accompaniment.
How should the fresh parsley be prepared?
One teaspoon of fresh parsley should be finely chopped for the mixture, plus extra leaves for garnish.
Should the butter be cold or softened?
The butter should be softened at room temperature to mix easily into the mashed potatoes.
What should I do after taking the dish out of the oven?
Let the casserole cool slightly before garnishing and serving.
Is this dish traditionally Cuban?
Yes, it showcases traditional Cuban flavors and is a staple seafood comfort food.
How many medium potatoes are used in the recipe?
The recipe requires 4 medium potatoes, cut in half before boiling.