15 Codfish Portuguese Recipe Bacalhau à Brás You Won't Believe The Taste!
Published on: Mar 5, 2024
The Portuguese have a deep-rooted love for codfish, and one of their most beloved dishes is bacalhau à brás. This traditional recipe has been passed down through generations and is a staple in many Portuguese homes. It's a simple yet flavorful dish that combines codfish with eggs, potatoes, and onions. The result is a tasty and satisfying meal that will transport you straight to the streets of Lisbon.
Main Ingredients: Cod Fillets, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Milk, Vidalia
Bacalhoada is a traditional Portuguese stew made with salt cod, potatoes, and various vegetables and spices. It's a hearty and flavorful dish, perfect for cold winter nights or a comforting family meal. The salt cod is soaked overnight to remove the excess salt, then cooked with onions, garlic, tomatoes, and olive oil to create a rich and savory broth. Potatoes, carrots, and bell peppers are added for extra texture and flavor. The stew is typically served with crusty bread and a glass of red wine, making it a complete and satisfying meal.
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Bacalhau à Brás
Main Ingredients: Salt Cod, New Potatoes, Eggs, Onions, Garlic Cloves
Bacalhau à Brás, also known as "salt cod à la Brás", is a popular Portuguese dish that originated in the city of Lisbon. It is made with shredded salt cod, scrambled eggs, fried potatoes, and onions, all cooked together in a pan and seasoned with parsley and black olives. The dish is named after the man who invented it, a tavern owner named Brás, and it is a staple in Portuguese cuisine. It's a simple and delicious dish that can be served as a main course or as a side dish.
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An authentic and easy bacalhau à Brás
Main Ingredients: Salt Cod, Large Onion, Garlic, Potato Sticks, Eggs
If you're looking for an authentic and easy recipe for bacalhau à Brás, look no further. This dish is a favorite among the Portuguese and is often served during holidays and special occasions. To make it, all you need is salt cod, eggs, potatoes, onions, parsley, and olives. Simply soak the salt cod overnight, then boil and shred it. Fry the potatoes and onions, add in the eggs and cod, and mix it all together. Sprinkle with parsley and top with olives for a burst of flavor. It's a dish that is sure to impress your guests.
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Bacalhau a Bras ~ Salt Cod, Potatoes & Eggs
Main Ingredients: Salt Cod, Olive Oil, Russet Potatoes, Onion, Bay Leaf
Bacalhau a Bras is a classic Portuguese dish that combines salt cod, potatoes, and eggs in a delicious and satisfying meal. The salt cod is first soaked to remove the excess salt, then boiled and shredded. The potatoes are fried until crispy, and the eggs are scrambled and mixed in. This dish is often served with a side salad or crusty bread, and it's a great option for a quick and easy dinner. It's also a great way to incorporate more fish into your diet.
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Cod ‘à Brás’ Pie
Main Ingredients: Cod, Shortcrust Pastry, Onion, Garlic, Olive Oil
If you're looking for a creative and delicious way to serve bacalhau à Brás, try making a Cod 'à Brás' pie. This dish combines all the traditional flavors of bacalhau à Brás in a crispy and flavorful pie crust. The salt cod is cooked with onions, potatoes, eggs, and olives, then placed in a pie crust and baked to perfection. It's a fun and unique twist on a classic dish that will surely impress your dinner guests.
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Cod ‘à Brás’ with shrimp
Main Ingredients: Desalted Cod, Medium Onion, Small Onion, Garlic, Olive
For a seafood twist on the traditional bacalhau à Brás, try making it with shrimp instead. This dish adds a burst of flavor and texture with the addition of tender and juicy shrimp. The salt cod and shrimp are cooked with onions, potatoes, eggs, and olives, creating a delicious and satisfying meal. It's a great option for seafood lovers or for those looking to switch up their usual dinner routine.
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Leek ‘à Brás’
Main Ingredients: Leek, Olive Oil, Egg Yolk, Medium Onion, Pepper
If you're not a fan of onions, try making a leek 'à Brás' instead. This dish swaps out the onion for leeks, providing a milder and sweeter flavor. The leeks are cooked with the salt cod, potatoes, and eggs, creating a delicious and unique dish. Serve it with a side of crusty bread and a glass of wine for a complete and satisfying meal.
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Cod “à Brás”
Main Ingredients: Steaks, Onion, Olive Oil, Garlic, Potatoes, Eggs, Salt
For a classic and straightforward version of bacalhau à Brás, simply stick to the traditional ingredients of salt cod, potatoes, eggs, onions, and olives. This dish is all about simplicity and allowing the flavors of each ingredient to shine through. The salt cod is the star of the dish, providing a savory and slightly salty flavor that pairs perfectly with the crispy potatoes and fluffy eggs.
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Sausage “à Brás”
Main Ingredients: Sausages, Egg, Egg Yolk, Potatoes, Medium Onion
For a heartier and more filling version of bacalhau à Brás, add in some sausage. The salt cod, potatoes, eggs, and onions are cooked with slices of sausage, providing a burst of flavor and protein. This dish is perfect for meat lovers and can be served as a main course or a side dish. It's a great way to switch up your usual sausage and potato dinners.
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Cod ‘à Brás’
Main Ingredients: Steaks, Medium Onion, Olive Oil, Garlic, Potatoes, Egg
There are many variations of bacalhau à Brás, but sometimes it's nice to stick to the classic and traditional recipe. The salt cod, potatoes, eggs, onions, and olives are cooked together in a pan, creating a simple and delicious dish. Serve with a side of crusty bread and a glass of wine for a truly authentic Portuguese experience.
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Bacon “à Brás”
Main Ingredients: Bacon, Potatoes, Pepper, Parsley, Egg, Egg Yolk, Olive
For a smoky and flavorful twist on bacalhau à Brás, try adding some bacon. The salt cod, potatoes, eggs, and onions are cooked with crispy and salty bacon pieces, providing a new layer of flavor to the dish. This variation is perfect for breakfast or brunch, but can also be enjoyed as a hearty dinner option.
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Tuna ‘à Brás’
Main Ingredients: Canned Tuna, Medium Onion, Olive Oil, Egg Yolk, Pepper
If you're not a fan of salt cod, try making a tuna 'à Brás' instead. This dish uses canned tuna as a substitute for the salt cod, making it a more budget-friendly and accessible option. The tuna is cooked with potatoes, eggs, onions, and olives, creating a flavorful and satisfying meal. Serve with a side of vegetables for a complete and balanced dinner.
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Sausage ‘à Brás’
Main Ingredients: Sausage, Eggs, Potatoes, Onion, Garlic, Salt, Pepper
Another variation of bacalhau à Brás that incorporates sausage is the sausage 'à Brás'. This dish is similar to the sausage version mentioned earlier, but it swaps out the salt cod for sausage. The result is a hearty and flavorful dish that is sure to please any meat lover. Serve with a side of salad or vegetables for a complete and satisfying meal.
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Chicken “à Brás”
Main Ingredients: Chicken, Potatoes, Olive Oil, Egg, Egg Yolk, Nutmeg
For a chicken twist on bacalhau à Brás, try making it with shredded chicken instead. The chicken is cooked with potatoes, eggs, onions, and olives, creating a delicious and protein-packed meal. This variation is perfect for those who are not a fan of fish or are looking for a heartier option. Serve with a side of vegetables or crusty bread for a complete and satisfying meal.
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Bacon ‘à Brás’
Main Ingredients: Bacon, Potatoes, Pepper, Parsley, Egg, Egg Yolk, Olive
For a bacon-packed version of bacalhau à Brás, try making it with bacon bits instead of slices. This will provide a more evenly distributed bacon flavor throughout the dish. The bacon is cooked with the salt cod, potatoes, eggs, and onions, creating a flavorful and indulgent meal. Serve with a side of vegetables or a salad for a balanced and delicious dinner.
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Meat à Brás
Main Ingredients: Ground Pork, Ground Beef, Potato Sticks, Garlic, Medium
If you're not a fan of seafood, you can still enjoy the flavors of bacalhau à Brás by making a meat version. This dish uses shredded meat, such as beef or pork, instead of salt cod. The meat is cooked with potatoes, eggs, onions, and olives, creating a hearty and flavorful meal. It's a great option for those who are looking for a meatier version of this classic Portuguese dish.
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Tuna ‘à Brás’ With Pineapple
Main Ingredients: Canned Tuna, Pineapple Slices, Onion, Garlic, Olive
For a tropical twist on tuna à Brás, try adding some pineapple to the mix. This dish combines the traditional ingredients of tuna, potatoes, eggs, onions, and olives, with the addition of sweet and juicy pineapple chunks. The result is a refreshing and flavorful dish that is perfect for a summer meal or a beachside picnic.
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Cod ‘à Brás’ With Shrimp
Main Ingredients: Steaks, Onion, Garlic, Olive Oil, Lemon, Shrimps
If you're a fan of both cod and shrimp, why not combine them in one dish? This version of bacalhau à Brás uses both salt cod and shrimp for a delicious and protein-packed meal. The cod and shrimp are cooked with potatoes, eggs, onions, and olives, creating a flavorful and satisfying dish. Serve with a side of vegetables or a salad for a balanced and nutritious meal.
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Tuna “à Brás” with pineapple
Main Ingredients: Canned Tuna, Pineapple Slices, Medium Onion, Olive Oil
Another variation of tuna à Brás with pineapple is to swap out the potatoes for rice. This dish is similar to a rice and tuna casserole, but with the addition of eggs and olives for a more traditional Portuguese flavor. The pineapple adds a touch of sweetness and tropical flair to the dish, making it a unique and delicious meal to enjoy with family and friends.
Codfish has been a part of Portuguese cuisine since the 15th century when Portuguese fishermen discovered the abundant codfish population in the waters of Newfoundland. They began drying and salting the fish for preservation, making it a staple food source for long sea voyages. This discovery also led to the development of a thriving codfish industry in Portugal, with the fish becoming a significant part of the country's cultural identity.
The Evolution of Bacalhau à Brás
Bacalhau à brás is believed to have originated in Bairro Alto, a traditional neighborhood in Lisbon. Legend has it that a tavern owner, João Gomes de Sá, created the dish in the 19th century using leftover codfish and other ingredients that were readily available in the tavern's kitchen. Over time, the dish became a favorite among locals and eventually spread throughout the country, becoming a staple in Portuguese cuisine.
The Ingredients and Preparation
The Star Ingredient: Codfish
The key ingredient in bacalhau à brás is, of course, codfish. The fish is first soaked in water for at least 24 hours to reduce its saltiness, then boiled until tender. Once cooled, the codfish is shredded into small pieces, making it easier to incorporate into the dish.
The Supporting Cast: Potatoes and Onions
The other main ingredients in this dish are potatoes and onions. The potatoes are thinly sliced and fried until golden, while the onions are sautéed until soft and translucent. These two ingredients provide a hearty and flavorful base for the dish.
The Perfect Pairing: Eggs
The final ingredient in bacalhau à brás is eggs. The eggs are beaten and added to the pan with the potatoes and onions, helping to bind everything together and create a creamy texture.
The Final Touches
Once all the ingredients are combined, the dish is finished off with parsley and black olives for added flavor and garnish. Some variations also include garlic and bay leaves for an extra kick.
In Conclusion
Bacalhau à brás is a testament to the Portuguese love for codfish and their rich culinary history. Its simple yet delicious combination of ingredients makes it a popular dish not only in Portugal but also around the world. So next time you're craving a taste of Portugal, whip up a batch of this traditional dish and transport yourself to the cobblestone streets of Lisbon.
