Salt Cod Soup | Fish Recipes | Jamie Oliver Recipes (2024)

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Salt cod soup (Zuppa di baccala)

Colourful, wholesome and packed with veg

  • Dairy-freedf
  • Gluten-freegf

Salt Cod Soup | Fish Recipes | Jamie Oliver Recipes (2)

Colourful, wholesome and packed with veg

  • Dairy-freedf
  • Gluten-freegf

“This soup has such a great flavour, and it's actually really easy to salt your own cod overnight ”

Serves 6

Cooks In55 minutes plus soaking or salting time

DifficultySuper easy

Jamie's ItalyItalianStarters

Nutrition per serving
  • Calories 147 7%

  • Fat 3.1g 4%

  • Saturates 0.6g 3%

  • Sugars 8.4g 9%

  • Salt 1.28g 21%

  • Protein 20.9g 42%

  • Carbs 9.9g 4%

  • Fibre 2.7g -

Of an adult's reference intake

recipe adapted from

Jamie's Italy

Tap For Method

Ingredients

  • Metric
  • Germany

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  • 310 g salt cod , or 600g fresh cod, haddock or monkfish fillets, from sustainable sources, ask your fishmonger
  • 1 white onion , peeled
  • 2 small carrots , peeled
  • 2 sticks celery , trimmed, pale green inner leaves reserved
  • 2 cloves garlic , peeled
  • 1 small bunch fresh flat-leaf parsley , stalks and leaves separated
  • extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 small dried red chilli , crumbled
  • 2 x 400 g good-quality tinned plum tomatoes
  • 425 ml light organic chicken stock
  • sea salt
  • freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 lemon , juice of

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The cost per serving below is generated by Whisk.com and is based on costs in individual supermarkets. For more information about how we calculate costs per serving read our FAQS

recipe adapted from

Jamie's Italy

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Method

  1. Did you know that cod used to be a very highly prized, valuable trading commodity? Wars and battles were won on salt cod because, of course, in the old days ships were sailing for weeks or months and the sailors would have a very unhealthy diet. Having salt cod on board as a source of protein kept them going, and it meant they could jump off the boat with enough energy for a bit of fighting when it was required! All kinds of cultures began to salt fish – I suppose Iberian and Nordic countries are particularly well known for still doing it today. And certainly the Italians are more than partial to their fair share of it. Hundreds of years ago the only way to get fish into the centre of Italy would have been to use preserved fish like salt cod. It might sound obvious, but this is why Tuscan cooking is predominantly meat- and bean-based. In the old days the only common fish recipes would have used either preserved or fresh lake fish.
  2. Unless you live in a country where it’s prevalent, like Portugal or Spain, salt cod can only be bought in good delis. Try to hunt out the real baccalà, but if you can’t find any then simply buy some fresh fish which can be salted overnight. As salt cod is preserved using copious amounts of salt, avoid seasoning this soup at all or do it right at the very end.
  3. If using fresh cod, haddock or monkfish, pack it in a few handfuls of sea salt overnight and rinse it before using. If using proper salt cod, soak the fillets in cold water for 24 hours, changing the water a few times during this period. This way, the fish will rehydrate and the saltiness will be removed before cooking. If the fish is more than 2cm thick it might need up to 36 hours’ soaking.
  4. Chop the onion, carrots, celery, garlic and parsley stalks. Heat a splash of olive oil in a saucepan, and add the chopped vegetables, parsley stalks and dried chilli. Sweat very slowly with the lid ajar for 15 to 20 minutes until soft, but not brown. Add the tomatoes and simmer for 10 minutes, then add the stock and bring back to the boil.
  5. Break up any larger pieces of tomato with a wooden spoon and drop the salt cod fillets into the hot soup. Simmer gently for 15 minutes, just until the fish has poached and flakes apart when prodded with a fork. Pick out any bits of skin. Gently fold the flakes of fish through the soup, taste and season with pepper, salt (if needed) and a little lemon juice. Chop the parsley and celery leaves and scatter over the soup. Drizzle with plenty of extra virgin olive oil.

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recipe adapted from

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© 2024 Jamie Oliver Enterprises Limited

© 2024 Jamie Oliver Enterprises Limited

Salt Cod Soup | Fish Recipes | Jamie Oliver Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What is the best cooking technique for cod? ›

Try a gentle cooking method: Instead of adding fat, you can also try a gentle cooking method like steaming or cooking en papillote. Both of these methods help to preserve Pacific cod's high moisture content and produce incredibly tender results.

Can you soak salted cod in milk? ›

A much more reliable plan is to soak it for a full 24 hours, changing the water multiple times. Some people soak it in milk, but I tested it out and didn't find any major difference between that and water; water, meanwhile, is free, and milk is not. Once your salt cod is done soaking, it's time to cook it.

Why is salt cod soaked in water? ›

Salt cod must be soaked overnight before cooking to remove the salt. Place it in a bowl with cold water to cover and soak for 24 hours, changing the water three or four times.

How do you cook Jamie Oliver cod? ›

Season the cod with sea salt and black pepper, place on an oiled baking tray and lay two slices of pancetta over the top of each fillet. Halve the lemons and place the four lemon halves, cut side down, on the tray next to the fish. Roast in the preheated oven for 10 to 15 minutes, or until the fish flakes easily.

Should you soak cod in milk before cooking? ›

Before cooking, soak the fish in milk for 20 minutes

In this scenario, the protein in the milk binds with the compounds that cause that fishy odor, in essence extracting if from the fish. What's left behind is sweet-smelling, brighter flesh with clean flavor. (Just make sure you pour that milk down the drain.

Should you rinse cod before cooking? ›

No need to rinse frozen cod.

Some recipes may tell you to rinse your frozen cod before cooking it to get rid of ice crystals, but this step is unnecessary. If anything, it might leave your fish a bit waterlogged.

Do you rinse milk off fish after soaking? ›

Online research had recommended letting the fish soak submerged in milk for around 20 minutes, before rinsing and cooking in your preferred fashion.

Why boil cod in milk? ›

Forget oil. Poaching your fish in milk will up your flavor, texture, and creaminess. You've most likely been poaching your fish in wine, butter, or oil.

How long does salted cod need to soak? ›

Soaking is the most important step in preparing salt cod. Most recipes say to soak for 24 hours. However, this is risky and may leave the fish too salty. About 48 hours is a better bet.

Why is salt cod so expensive? ›

Transportation: Dried salted cod is a staple food in many countries, leading to a high demand. Shipping it long distances, often across oceans, adds to the cost. High Quality: High-quality, well-preserved dried salted cod commands a premium price due to its flavor and texture.

How long does salted cod last in refrigerator? ›

Salt cod can stay in your refrigerator almost indefinitely -- bringing a whole new meaning to a pantry meal. Before it can be eaten, the product must be soaked in cold water for one to three days, changing the water two to three times a day.

What is another name for salt cod? ›

The French call it morue, the Italians baccala' and the Portuguese bacalhau. Of course, the fish is the same — Atlantic cod — and the process is the same — drying and salting. Salt cod is eaten in nearly every country that comes into contact with the Atlantic Ocean.

Is cod better in the oven or pan? ›

But more importantly, pan frying yields that deliciously browned exterior on both sides of the fish. Baking or steaming won't accomplish that same golden “crust.” Pro Tips for pan frying cod: Let fish sit at room temp in a colander to drain any excess water, particularly if your fish was previously frozen.

What is the cod fish technique? ›

Abstract: Single molecule fluorescence in situ hybridization or smFISH with oligonucleotide probes is a prominent technique in the field of RNA detection; it is used in a variety of ways, from mapping organisms' development to identifying the presence of malignant genes with single molecule sensitivity.

How long does cod need to be cooked for? ›

Nestle cod pieces into baking dish. Step 3Bake until fish is opaque and flakes easily with a fork, 25 to 30 minutes, depending on thickness of filets.

What is the best cooking method for fish and why? ›

Make sure to cook your fish in a way that doesn't overwhelm the flavor. The level of fat in the meat. Leaner types of seafood dry out more easily, which makes them better suited for wet cooking methods like steaming and poaching. Fatty fish like tuna and salmon, on the other hand, are ideal for grilling and roasting.

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