Best 7 Bacalao Balls Recipes

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Bacalao balls, also known as codfish balls or Portuguese bolinhos de bacalhau, are a traditional dish that has been enjoyed for centuries in many parts of the world. Typically made with a mixture of flaked codfish, mashed potatoes, parsley, and onions, these deep-fried balls are a delicious and versatile appetizer or main course. Whether you are looking for a quick and easy weeknight meal or a special dish to serve at your next gathering, bacalao balls are sure to please everyone at the table.

Here are our top 7 tried and tested recipes!

MARIA'S PORTUGUESE BACALAU



Maria's Portuguese Bacalau image

This is a traditional Portuguese dish that brings back memories of mom. It is not only tasty but it is always a hit at parties. Plan ahead, because the salted cod needs to soak for 24 hours.

Provided by BINGADING

Categories     World Cuisine Recipes     European     Portuguese

Time P1DT2h

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 12

2 pounds dried salted cod fish
4 Yukon Gold potatoes
3 tablespoons butter
2 yellow onions, thinly sliced
2 cloves garlic, chopped, divided
½ cup chopped fresh parsley, divided
¾ cup olive oil
1 ½ teaspoons red pepper flakes
freshly ground pepper to taste
4 hard cooked eggs, chopped
10 pitted green olives
10 pitted black olives

Steps:

  • Soak the dried salted cod in cold water for 24 hours, changing the water several times.
  • Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the soaked cod, and boil for about 5 minutes, or until fish flakes easily with a fork. Remove cod from water, and save water for cooking potatoes. Remove skin and bones from the cod, and flake the meat into pieces using a fork. Set fish aside in a large bowl.
  • In a small bowl, stir together the olive oil, 1 clove of garlic, 1 tablespoon of parsley, red pepper flakes, and black pepper. Pour over the fish, and toss lightly to coat.
  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Place the potatoes into the fish water, and bring to a boil. Cook for 20 minutes, or until tender. Drain under cool water, peel and cut into 1/4 inch slices.
  • While the potatoes are cooking, melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onions, and saute until golden and caramelized. Stir one clove of garlic into the onions. Set aside.
  • Layer half of the potato slices in the bottom of a greased 8x11 inch baking dish. Cover with half of the cod, then half of the onions. Repeat layers, ending with onion.
  • Bake for 15 minutes in the preheated oven, until lightly browned. Before serving, garnish the top with green and black olives, and hard-cooked eggs. Sprinkle with remaining parsley.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 701 calories, Carbohydrate 25.2 g, Cholesterol 277 mg, Fat 31.3 g, Fiber 2.5 g, Protein 77.1 g, SaturatedFat 7 g, Sodium 8223.1 mg, Sugar 1.5 g

BRAZILIAN CODFISH BALLS



Brazilian Codfish Balls image

Provided by Ingrid Hoffmann

Categories     main-dish

Time 5h15m

Yield 12 codfish balls

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 1/2 pounds russet potatoes (about 2 to 3 medium), peeled and cut into chunks
3 cups clam juice (or fish or shrimp bouillon)
1 medium yellow onion, quartered
1 bay leaf
1 pound cod fillets, cut into large chunks
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
3 tablespoons finely chopped fresh cilantro leaves, plus more for garnish
1 1/2 teaspoons green hot sauce (recommended: Tabasco)
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup seasoned dry bread crumbs

Steps:

  • Put the potatoes in a pot and cover with the clam juice. Bring to a boil over medium heat and cook until the potatoes are fork tender, about 20 minutes. Remove the potatoes with a slotted spoon and place in a bowl. To the cooking liquid, add the onion and bay leaf; bring to a simmer for 3 minutes. While the potatoes are still hot, mash with a hand masher and set aside. Add the cod to the simmering broth and cook until the fish is opaque, about 3 minutes. Remove the fish with a slotted spoon and add to the mashed potatoes.
  • Add the eggs, cilantro, hot sauce, and salt to the fish and potato mixture. Mix until well combined. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until completely cooled and firm, at least 4 hours or preferably overnight.
  • Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Coat a baking pan with nonstick cooking spray. Spread the bread crumbs on a plate.
  • Using an ice cream scoop, roll the chilled fish and potato mixture into 2-inch balls. Then roll each ball in bread crumbs to coat completely. Put the codfish balls on the prepared pan and spray the tops lightly with nonstick cooking spray, this will make them really crispy. Bake until the codfish balls are nicely browned, 20 to 25 minutes. Put the codfish balls on a platter and garnish with cilantro.

BACALAO A LA VIZCAINA (BASQUE STYLE CODFISH STEW)



Bacalao a la Vizcaina (Basque Style Codfish Stew) image

This Spanish-style fish stew from the Basque region of Spain is a traditional peasant dish popular in all Spanish-speaking countries (where each has given it their special twist). For example, in Mexico it is usually made for Christmas, New Year's Eve, and Lent; in Puerto Rico it is a year-round favorite but most enjoyed during Lent. This is one of the Puerto Rican versions.

Provided by Milly Suazo-Martinez

Categories     Soups, Stews and Chili Recipes     Stews     Seafood

Time 9h15m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 14

1 pound salted cod fish
4 potatoes, sliced thick
2 onions, sliced
4 hard-boiled eggs, sliced
2 teaspoons capers
2 large cloves garlic, minced
¼ cup pitted green olives
1 (4 ounce) jar roasted red bell peppers, drained
½ cup golden raisins
1 bay leaf
1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
½ cup extra virgin olive oil
1 cup water
¼ cup white wine

Steps:

  • Soak the salted cod in about 2 quarts of water, changing the water 3 times over the course of 8 hours. Drain and cut the fish into bite-size pieces.
  • Layer the half of each ingredient in the following order: potatoes, cod fish, onions, hard-boiled eggs, capers, garlic, olives, roasted red peppers, and raisins. Place the bay leaf on top, then pour half the tomato sauce and half the olive oil. Repeat with the remaining ingredients in the same order. Pour the water and white wine on top. Do not stir.
  • Cover and bring to a boil over medium heat. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until the potatoes are tender, about 30 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 474.5 calories, Carbohydrate 31.6 g, Cholesterol 192.3 mg, Fat 18.9 g, Fiber 3.8 g, Protein 42.3 g, SaturatedFat 3.2 g, Sodium 4353.3 mg, Sugar 9.3 g

BACALAITOS (CODFISH FRITTERS)



Bacalaitos (Codfish Fritters) image

Provided by Food Network

Categories     appetizer

Time 50m

Yield 30 fritters

Number Of Ingredients 10

1/2 pound salted cod, soaked overnight in 3 cups of milk
4 1/2 cups water
3 cups milk
1 1/2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 small onion, 1/2-inch dice
1 small sweet red pepper, 1/2-inch dice
2 cloves garlic, crushed
1/2 bunch cilantro, chopped
Oil, for frying

Steps:

  • Drain salted cod. Boil fish in 3 cups of the water and the milk until tender, about 20 to 30 minutes. Remove cooked fish from liquid, shred and set aside to cool. Make a batter with the flour, baking powder and remaining water. Add cod, onions, peppers, garlic and cilantro. Deep fry spoonfuls of the batter in oil heated to 350 degrees until golden.

BACALAO GUISADO (CODFISH STEW)



Bacalao Guisado (Codfish Stew) image

Provided by Food Network

Categories     main-dish

Time 45m

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 13

3 pounds dried codfish
1 gallon water
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 green bell pepper, chopped
1 medium onion, chopped
2 large tomatoes, chopped
2 culantro* leaves, chopped
2 whole bay leaves
2 red bell peppers, chopped
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 tablespoon capers
2 potatoes, peeled, diced and boiled until tender
4 sprigs cilantro, leaves chopped, for garnish

Steps:

  • In a large pot, add the codfish and cover with 1 gallon of water. Bring it to a boil and cook for 10 minutes to remove the salt. Drain the cod and break it into small flakes with a spoon. Set aside.
  • In a large frying pan heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the green peppers, onion, tomatoes, and culantro and cook for 2 minutes. Add the codfish, bay leaves, red bell peppers, tomato paste, and capers. Cook until the vegetables are soft, about 5 minutes. Add the boiled potatoes and cook until heated through, about 2 more minutes.
  • Garnish with cilantro. Serve with rice or cooked plantains, if desired.
  • Serving suggestion: white rice or cooked plantains.

SALT COD FISH BALLS



Salt Cod Fish Balls image

Make and share this Salt Cod Fish Balls recipe from Food.com.

Provided by Julie Bs Hive

Categories     Caribbean

Time 8h36m

Yield 12 balls, 12 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 7

1/2 lb salt cod fish
2 cups diced raw potatoes
1 tablespoon butter
1/2 teaspoon pepper
2 eggs, beaten
breadcrumbs
vegetable oil (for frying)

Steps:

  • Soak cod fish in water, preferably overnight then boil for 1/2 hour. Meanwhile peel and dice potatoes; boil for 20 minutes. When cool mash coarsely.
  • Drain, rinse fish under cold water and flake making sure to remove fine bones.
  • Add butter, pepper and shredded fish to potatoes, mix well.
  • Form mixture into light, feathery balls.
  • Dip in beaten egg then breadcrumbs. Fry in deep oil in fryer basket until golden brown.
  • Drain on absorbent paper and serve very hot with your favorite cocktail sauce.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 94.8, Fat 2.3, SaturatedFat 1, Cholesterol 66.5, Sodium 1348.1, Carbohydrate 4.4, Fiber 0.6, Sugar 0.3, Protein 13.4

BACALAO BALLS



Bacalao Balls image

If you have never tried salt cod fish before, this a great recipe to start off with. These lil' balls are so addictive. You can't just eat 1 or 2. Make plenty because they will go fast. Happy Cooking sw:)

Provided by Sherri Williams @logansw

Categories     Fish

Number Of Ingredients 11

1 pound(s) bacalao (salt cod fish, deboned)
5-6 small smashed red potatoes (cooked)
2 large eggs
1 tablespoon(s) worcestershire sauce
1 large fire roasted red peppers, chopped
2-3 - scallions, chopped
2 tablespoon(s) italian parsley, chopped
1-2 teaspoon(s) crushed red pepper
1 tablespoon(s) spicy seafood seasoning
1 medium lemon zest, grated
- serve with spicy sauce of choice

Steps:

  • soak cod fish in cold water for 8 hours in the fridge. change water 2-3 times
  • combine all the ingredients in a large mixing bowl
  • mix well
  • roll into 1 inch balls
  • in a 350 degree fryer, fry 3-4 minutes or until until golden brown. serve with spicy sauce

Tips:

  • Choose the right fish: Use a firm, flaky white fish like cod, haddock, or pollock.
  • Soak the fish: Soaking the fish in milk or water for 30 minutes before cooking helps to remove excess salt.
  • Use fresh ingredients: Fresh herbs, vegetables, and spices will give your bacalao balls the best flavor.
  • Don't overmix the batter: Overmixing the batter will make the bacalao balls tough.
  • Fry the bacalao balls until they are golden brown: This will ensure that they are cooked all the way through.
  • Serve the bacalao balls with your favorite dipping sauce: Aioli, tartar sauce, or a simple lemon wedge are all great options.

Conclusion:

Bacalao balls are a delicious and versatile dish that can be served as an appetizer, main course, or snack. They are easy to make and can be customized to your own taste. With a few simple tips, you can make perfect bacalao balls every time.

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