Brandade de Morue
A warm French gratin of desalted salt cod, creamy potatoes, garlic, milk, and olive oil beneath a crisp breadcrumb topping.
Instructions
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Step 1
Place the salt cod in a mixing bowl and cover generously with cold water. Refrigerate for 24 hours, changing the water three or four times.
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Step 2
Drain and rinse the cod. Put it in a saucepan with 1 ¼ cup (300 ml) of the milk, the garlic, and bay leaf; heat over medium heat until steaming, then cook over low heat until the fish flakes and reaches 63°C internally.
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Step 3
Strain the cod over the mixing bowl, retaining the garlic and poaching milk. Discard the bay leaf, then remove any skin or bones and flake the fish.
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Step 4
Put the potatoes in the cleaned saucepan, cover with cold water, and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce to medium heat and cook until completely tender, then drain well.
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Step 5
Mash the potatoes and reserved garlic in the saucepan until smooth.
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Step 6
Preheat the oven to 220°C.
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Step 7
Stir the flaked cod into the potatoes. Gradually beat in the olive oil, the remaining 4 tbsp (60 ml) milk, lemon juice, parsley, and black pepper until creamy but still slightly textured.
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Step 8
Spread the brandade in the baking dish and cover evenly with the breadcrumbs. Bake at 220°C until hot throughout and golden on top.