Bacalhoada is basically a dish formulated from potatoes, fish, hard-boiled eggs, olives, onions, and whatever else is available in the kitchen. This tradition comes from the Portuguese sailors and is served in Brazil as a dish served on special days, Sundays and holidays like Easter. Since they spent a lot of time at sea they didn’t have access to fresh foods. They would catch a whole bunch of fish because they were never sure when get would get more food. So they dried and they would rehydrate them with milk later. For this dish they would have the fish and they would then throw-in any vegetables or food that they happened to find on the ship. Even during war-time they would take the time to make this dish every Good Friday. The recipe varies from kitchen to kitchen. Part of the concept of the dish is to put in whatever you have available. The recipe we use and that is most served in Brazil is made from Salt Cod rehydrates in water, Potatoes, Bell Peppers, Onions, Boiled Eggs and Olives and I like to add Tomatoes then it’s baked in the oven.
Bacalhoada – Salted Cod Fish Dish
