Salt cod is a staple of Portuguese cuisine and, while this classic dish dates back to the 19th century, the taste will delight any modern palate. If you’ve never cooked with salt cod before, don’t let its appearance scare you off – it’s easy to prepare. The important thing is to leave yourself enough time to soak it overnight before it’s cooked.
Rinse cod under cold water and soak overnight, changing water 2 to 3 times.
Bring 4 quarts of water to a boil. Add cod and cook for 5 to 7 minutes, until it flakes easily. Drain water. In a large bowl, flake cod into pieces, being careful to remove any bones, and toss with lemon juice.
Heat a sauté pan to medium-high and add 3 tablespoons of oil. Add onions and a healthy pinch of salt and sauté for 3 minutes. Add peppers and sauté for 5 minutes. Lower heat and sauté for 1 minute. Add to cod dish.
Preheat oven to 375˚ F. Oil an oven-safe medium casserole dish and layer half the potatoes on the bottom. Drizzle potatoes with oil and season with salt and pepper. Evenly spread cod and onion mixture on top. Add final layer of potatoes evenly on top of cod. Drizzle with 3 tablespoons oil and season with salt and pepper. Bake for 30 minutes, until potatoes are crisp and golden brown. Serve and garnish with eggs, black olives, and parsley.
