Bacalhau com Natas (Cod whit Cream)

Ingredients (Serves 6):

• 900g salted cod stakes (previously soaked, fresh cod can also be used)
• 2 garlic cloves, thinly chopped
• 4 onions (approx. 300g), ring sliced
• 2 bay leaves
• small bunch fresh parsley
• pepper, a pinch of
• nutmeg, a pinch of
• 500g potatoes, diced into small cubes
• 650ml vegetable oil
• 4 free range egg whites, whipped
• 200ml olive oil
• 200ml single cream
• 500ml milk
• 10g cornflour
• 1tbsp bread crumbs
• A few olives
• 10g butter

Preparation

1. Fill a large pan with approx. 2 litres of water, add the cod making sure it’s completely submerged (if not add more water) and boil it for approx. 30 minutes;
2. Once boiled, take the cod out of the water and leave it aside to cool down;
3. Meanwhile, fry the potatoes in vegetable oil – just enough to make a golden crust on the outside;
4. Once the cod has cooled off shred it; make sure you carefully remove all the skin and fish-bones;
5. At this point preheat the oven at 220 ºC / 425 ºF / Gas mark 7;
6. Using a large pan heat up the olive oil, the garlic, the onions and the bay leaves and cook it for about 5 minutes on medium heat and stirring frequently;
7. After 5 minutes add the shredded cod, the ground pepper and a pinch of nutmeg. Give it a stir and leave it cooking on low heat for about 8 minutes;
8. After 8 minutes add the potatoes and the cream. Stir well and leave it to cook for 5 more minutes;
9. Finally, add the milk, the egg whites and the cornflour (use a bit of the milk to dilute it). Stir well until the cream sauce thickens slightly. That’s the cod casserole done;
10. Spread olive oil over the inside of a large cooking dish then pour over the previously prepared cod. Then shape it flat to the form of the dish and spread some breadcrumbs over the top. Finally, add some olives and also small bits of butter;
11. Place it in a pre-heated oven at 220 ºC / 425 ºF / Gas mark 7 and leave it to cook for 15 minutes.

E pronto! (It’s done!) Bom apetite!

Tip: Serve with a bit of parsley on top & salad.

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