Salt cod fritters with fresh lemon

Prep: 10 mins

Cook: 5 mins

Quick, simple and really tasty. Salt cod can also be poached in a tomato and chilli sauce and turned into a delicious sauce for soft polenta or as a topping for bruschetta.

250g salt cod
250g peeled all-purpose potatoes, quartered
125ml milk
80ml extra virgin olive oil
4 garlic cloves, finely chopped
3 spring onions, finely chopped
1 egg yolk
Freshly ground black pepper
150g plain flour
2 eggs lightly whisked with 1 tbsp water
120g Japanese breadcrumbs (panko)
1l vegetable oil, for deep-frying
2 lemons, cut into wedges

Place the salt cod in a bowl and cover with cold water. Cover bowl with plastic wrap, place in the fridge and soak for 24 hours, changing the water several times.

Drain the fish and dry well, then remove the skin and bones and discard. Place the flesh in a large saucepan, cover with water, bring to the boil and gently simmer, covered, for about 20 minutes. Drain and set aside.

Steam the potatoes until just cooked.

Combine the milk and 1 tbsp of the olive oil in a small saucepan and heat until warm.

In a heavy-based saucepan, heat the remaining olive oil over low heat. Add the garlic and spring onions and fry for 1-2 minutes, then add the salt cod and stir well with a wooden spoon to break up the flesh.

Put the potatoes through a Mouli grater or ricer and add to the pan, beating well to make a paste.

Gradually beat in the warm milk and oil mixture, then add the egg yolk and pepper to taste. Remove from the heat, cool and chill. Check the seasoning and adjust if necessary.

Roll level tablespoons of the mixture into balls. In small batches, dust with flour, coat with egg mixture, then coat with panko crumbs and shake away any excess.

Add the vegetable oil to a deep pot and heat the oil to 180°C / 350°F / Gas Mark 4. Deep-fry the salt cod fritters in hot vegetable oil for about 1 minute, or until golden and crisp. Drain on paper towel.

Drizzle with a squeeze of lemon and serve immediately.

Serves
makes 34 fritters

Preparation Time
10 minutes

Cooking Time
5 minutes

Main ingredients
Flour, Eggs, Fish, Vegetables

Recipe Type
Dinner, Party Food, Family Dinners

Level of Difficulty
Easy