Baccalà

A rich "poor" dish

Baccalà is a traditional dish that carries the flavors of the sea and the richness of Mediterranean cuisine. Prepared with few and genuine ingredients, baccalà in tomato sauce with olives is a recipe that combines the delicacy of the fish with the depth of tomatoes and olives.

Ingredients

• Baccalà in pieces
• Flour
• Garlic
• Oil
• Tomato sauce
• Olives

Preparation

Desalting and flouring the baccalà:

• If you are using salted baccalà, you need to desalinate the fish by rinsing it well under running water to remove the surface salt.
• Then, place it in a large bowl with plenty of cold water, ensuring to change the water every 8-12 hours for at least 24-48 hours. Make sure it remains fully submerged throughout the process.
• Once desalinated, dry it well with paper towels. This step is important to avoid oil splashes during frying and to help the flour adhere better.
• Coat the pieces of baccalà in flour, ensuring they are well covered on all sides. This will help create a delicious crispy crust during cooking.

Preparing the pan with garlic:

• In a large pan, pour a generous amount of extra virgin olive oil.
• Add whole or slightly crushed garlic cloves, depending on your taste, and let them brown over medium heat.

Browning the baccalà:

• When the oil is hot and the garlic has released its aroma, add the floured baccalà pieces.
• Sear the baccalà over medium-high heat, turning it gently with kitchen tongs to get an even golden crust on all sides.

Adding the tomato sauce and olives:

• Once the baccalà is well browned, pour the tomato sauce into the pan.
• Gently stir to distribute the sauce, then lower the heat and let it simmer. The tomato sauce should reduce slightly, creating a rich and flavorful sauce.
• At this point, add the olives, either whole or sliced, depending on your preference.
• Continue cooking for a few more minutes, just long enough for the olives to warm up and release their flavor into the sauce.

Baccalà in tomato sauce with olives is an easy-to-prepare and flavorful dish that will surely delight your guests.