Cod à la Vizcaina

Cod à la Vizcaina is one of the most emblematic dishes of Spanish cuisine. Originating from the Basque Country, it is a traditional and very tasty dish that has become a favorite of many food lovers.

The history of this dish dates back to the 18th century, when Basque boats set sail to fish for cod off the coasts of Newfoundland. The fishermen brought with them the salted fish, which became an important source of protein for the Basque population. From there, various recipes emerged for cooking this fish, and Cod à la Vizcaina became one of the most popular.

This dish is made with a sauce of tomato, onion, and choricero pepper, and is accompanied by fried potatoes or white rice. It is important to note that the cod must be previously desalted in order to cook it correctly. There are other important considerations to keep in mind and we leave them all at the end of the article. Don't miss them!

If you want to try an authentic and delicious recipe for Cod à la Vizcaina, follow the steps we have given in the recipe. With its unique taste and interesting history, this dish is sure to become one of your favorites. Bon appétit Foodies!

How to make the recipe Cod à la Vizcaina

1. First, prepare the ingredients. Peel and finely chop the onion and garlic cloves. Remove the seeds and the stem from the choricero peppers (if using) and cut them into small pieces. If using a large red pepper, wash it, remove the seeds, and cut it into small pieces. Peel the tomatoes and grate them.
2. In a frying pan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and garlic and sauté until tender and golden.
3. Add the choricero peppers or the red pepper and sauté for about 5 minutes until soft. If using choricero peppers, hydrate them in hot water for 30 minutes and then remove the pulp with a spoon.
4. Add the grated tomato to the pan and sauté with the other ingredients for about 10 minutes. Add a pinch of salt, a pinch of pepper, and a teaspoon of sweet paprika.
5. Add half a glass of fish stock and let everything cook together for another 10 minutes over medium-low heat. If desired, you can add a tablespoon of sugar to counteract the acidity of the tomato.
6. Pass the sauce through a strainer or blend it with a blender until it has a smooth texture. Reserve.
7. Season the cod fillets and lightly flour them. Fry them in a pan with hot oil until golden on both sides.
8. In another pan, heat the sauce over medium-low heat and add the fried cod fillets. Let them cook for about 5 minutes in the sauce to soak up its flavor.
9. Serve the Cod à la Vizcaina hot, accompanied by some sauce and fried potatoes or white rice. Bon appétit!

Notes and Tips

Here are some tips and tricks to prepare a perfect recipe for Cod à la Vizcaina:

Choose good cod: It is important to select a good quality cod, preferably desalted at home or purchased desalted at a specialized fish store. Good quality cod will have a more intense flavor and a firm texture.

Beware of salt: It is important to control the amount of salt we add to the recipe, especially if the cod has been previously desalted. If you bought it already desalted, make sure to taste the sauce before adding more salt, to avoid the dish being too salty.

Prepare the sauce well: The success of the dish will largely depend on the sauce. It's important to cook the vegetables well and let the sauce reduce enough to have a thick and flavorful texture.

Add a little sugar: If the sauce is too acidic, you can add a teaspoon of sugar to balance the flavors. This will also help the sauce have a more intense and bright color.

Don't overcook the cod: It's important not to leave the cod in the sauce for too long, as it can break apart and lose its texture. The ideal is to leave it a few minutes to soak up the flavor of the sauce.

Accompany the dish with fried potatoes or white rice: Cod à la Vizcaina is usually accompanied by fried potatoes or white rice, as these ingredients combine perfectly with the sauce. You can prepare the fried potatoes or rice while the sauce and cod are cooking.

With these tips and tricks, you'll be ready to prepare a perfect recipe for Cod à la Vizcaina!