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Classic French Salt Cod Brandade

Classic French Salt Cod Brandade is rich and silky, marrying gently salted cod with creamy potatoes, garlic, and olive oil for a smooth, comforting spread. Bright hints of lemon and thyme lift the flavor, while a quick bake gives it a warm, lightly golden finish. Serve as an elegant appetizer or a cozy dinner starter with crostini or crusty bread.

  • Prep30 mins
  • Cook50 mins
  • Serves24
  • DifficultyMedium
Classic French Salt Cod Brandade
  1. 1

    Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C). Lightly grease a baking dish and place the dish on a baking sheet.

  2. 2

    Rinse the salt cod under cold water, transfer it to a sealable container, and cover with several inches of cold water. Soak the cod in the refrigerator, changing the water every few hours, for 24 to 36 hours. Remove the cod from the water and cut it into evenly sized pieces.

  3. 3

    Stir the cod, milk, thyme, bay leaves, and cayenne pepper together in a pot over medium-high heat. Cook until the fish starts to flake, 7 to 15 minutes. Remove from the heat and strain, reserving the cooking liquid, and transfer the fish to a bowl.

  4. 4

    Place the potatoes and garlic in a large pot and cover with water; bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer until tender, about 20 minutes. Drain.

  5. 5

    Mash the cod with a few splashes of the reserved cooking liquid and the lemon zest in a bowl. Pour in the remaining reserved cooking liquid and the potatoes; mash until you reach the desired consistency. Stir in 1/2 of the olive oil, the lemon juice, and the black pepper until smooth. Add the remaining olive oil and blend until smooth. Season with salt. Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish. Spread the creme fraiche over the top and score the surface with a spoon to make a crisscross pattern.

  6. 6

    Bake in the preheated oven until browned and bubbling, about 20 minutes.

About This Recipe

Classic French Salt Cod Brandade is a French appetizer recipe made with 12 ingredients. It takes about 1 hr 20 mins, serves 24, and is rated medium. Key ingredients include Black Pepper, Cayenne Pepper, Crème Fraîche, and Diced Potatoes. Each serving provides about 55.08 kcal.

Recipe Questions

What is Classic French Salt Cod Brandade?
It is a French recipe made with 12 ingredients, usually served for appetizer or side dish or dinner or lunch.
What is Classic French Salt Cod Brandade made of?
The main ingredients are Black Pepper, Cayenne Pepper, Crème Fraîche, Diced Potatoes, Dried Bay Leaves. The full list of 12 is above.
How long does it take to make Classic French Salt Cod Brandade?
About 1 hr 20 mins in total: 30 mins to prepare and 50 mins to cook.
How many calories are in one serving?
One serving provides about 55.08 kcal. The full nutrition breakdown is above.
Is Classic French Salt Cod Brandade easy to make?
This recipe is rated medium, with 12 ingredients and 6 steps.

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