Salt Cod in Tomato Garlic Confit

Name: Salt Cod in Tomato Garlic Confit
Prep time: 12 h
Cook time: 1 h 15 min
Total time: 13 h 15 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Ingredients: 1 pound salt cod; 8 cloves garlic; ⅓ cup extra-virgin olive oil; 4 cans diced tomatoes; ¼ teaspoon sugar; 6 tablespoons mayonnaise; ¼ cup crème fraîche; 1 tablespoon water

A luxurious preparation of salt cod (bacalao) served in a rich tomato and garlic confit sauce, topped with a creamy mixture of mayonnaise and crème fraîche. This elegant dish combines the traditional flavors of Mediterranean cooking with a decadent finishing touch.

6 servings

73 hr 32 min

Published October 4, 2025

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Ingredients

•1 pound salt cod
•8 cloves garlic
•⅓ cup extra-virgin olive oil
•4 cans diced tomatoes
•¼ teaspoon sugar
•6 tablespoons mayonnaise
•¼ cup crème fraîche
•1 tablespoon water

Cooking Instructions

1.
Cover cod with 2 inches of cold water in a large bowl and soak, chilled, changing water 3 times a day, up to 3 days (see cooks' note, below).
4320 min
2.
Drain cod and transfer to a 3-quart saucepan, then add 6 cups water. Bring just to a simmer and remove from heat. (Cod will just begin to flake; do not boil or it will become tough.) Gently transfer cod with a slotted spatula to a paper-towel-lined plate to drain. Cover with a dampened paper towel and chill while making confit.
15 min
3.
Cook garlic in oil in a 12-inch heavy skillet over moderately low heat, turning occasionally, until golden, 10 to 15 minutes. Add tomatoes and sugar and cook, stirring frequently, until tomatoes break down into a very thick sauce and oil separates, 45 minutes to 1 hour.
60 min
4.
Mash garlic cloves into sauce and add salt and pepper to taste. Spread sauce in a 3-quart gratin dish or other flameproof shallow baking dish and arrange fish over sauce.
10 min
5.
Preheat broiler.
5 min
6.
Whisk together mayonnaise, crème fraîche, and water and spread over each piece of fish. Broil fish 5 to 6 inches from heat just until mayonnaise mixture is lightly browned, about 2 minutes.
2 min

Salt Cod in Tomato Garlic Confit

6 servings

73 hr 32 min

Published October 4, 2025

Be the first to rate this recipe

Cooking Instructions

Cover cod with 2 inches of cold water in a large bowl and soak, chilled, changing water 3 times a day, up to 3 days (see cooks' note, below).

4320 min

Drain cod and transfer to a 3-quart saucepan, then add 6 cups water. Bring just to a simmer and remove from heat. (Cod will just begin to flake; do not boil or it will become tough.) Gently transfer cod with a slotted spatula to a paper-towel-lined plate to drain. Cover with a dampened paper towel and chill while making confit.

15 min

Cook garlic in oil in a 12-inch heavy skillet over moderately low heat, turning occasionally, until golden, 10 to 15 minutes. Add tomatoes and sugar and cook, stirring frequently, until tomatoes break down into a very thick sauce and oil separates, 45 minutes to 1 hour.

60 min

Mash garlic cloves into sauce and add salt and pepper to taste. Spread sauce in a 3-quart gratin dish or other flameproof shallow baking dish and arrange fish over sauce.

10 min

Preheat broiler.

5 min

Whisk together mayonnaise, crème fraîche, and water and spread over each piece of fish. Broil fish 5 to 6 inches from heat just until mayonnaise mixture is lightly browned, about 2 minutes.

2 min