Salt Cod with Leeks & Potatoes Pisana Style [Baccalà coi Porri]
Guido Pasquariello
This Salt Cod with Leeks recipe brings a touch of Tuscany to your table. Featuring tender cod, sweet leeks, and hearty potatoes simmering togheter with milk, it's a simple dish with delicate flavors.
Prep Time 20 minutes mins
Cook Time 15 minutes mins
Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian
Knife
Skillet
Cutting board
- 7 ounces desalted Salt Cod
- 1 leek
- 2 medium-sized potatoes
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 cup milk
- Flour for dusting
- Black pepper to taste
- Fine salt to taste
Clean and Slice Leek: Start by cleaning the leek. Remove the outer layer, then slice it into rings.
1 leek
Sauté Leek and Potatoes: Heat two tablespoons of olive oil in a skillet. Add the leek and potatoes that you've peeled and diced. Cook them until they're slightly soft.
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, 2 medium-sized potatoes
Prepare and Cook Salt Cod: Cut the cod into bite-sized pieces and lightly dust them with flour. Add the cod to the skillet and cook for a couple of minutes on each side until they start to brown.
7 ounces desalted Salt Cod, Flour for dusting
Simmer with Milk: Pour the milk over the cod, leeks, and potatoes in the skillet. Season with salt and pepper to your liking. Cover with a lid and let it cook on low heat for at least 15 minutes, or until the potatoes are soft.
1 cup milk, Black pepper to taste, Fine salt to taste
Serve Hot: Dish out the Cod with Leeks while it's still hot and enjoy the comforting flavors.
- If salt cod isn't available, fresh cod or another firm white fish can be used instead. Remember to adjust seasoning as fresh fish isn't as salty.
- In the absence of leeks, a combination of onions and garlic can serve as a substitute. Use one small onion and one garlic clove to replace one leek for a similar flavor profile.
- For those who are lactose intolerant, lactose-free milk or neutral-flavored plant-based milks like almond or soy can be used. Vegetable broth is also a suitable alternative to keep the dish rich and satisfying.
- To ensure even cooking, dice the potatoes into small, uniform pieces and keep fish pieces bite-sized. This helps in achieving consistent texture and doneness.
- If the sauce appears too thin, consider simmering the dish uncovered for a few extra minutes to allow reduction. Alternatively, a cornstarch slurry can be added to thicken the sauce effectively without altering its taste.