Best Brandade Recipes

FRENCH SALT COD AND POTATO BRANDADE

Steps:

• Rinse salt cod well and rub off any salt. Soak in 2 quarts cold water. Drain and change water every few hours (an overnight soak without changing is fine). Total soaking time should be at least 8 hours.
• In a medium saucepan, heat milk plus 1 cup water over medium-high heat. Add soaked salt cod, thyme, bay leaf, peppercorns, allspice berries and clove. Adjust heat to maintain a bare simmer. Cook until fish flakes easily, about 15 minutes. Remove fish and hold at room temperature.
• Meanwhile, in another pot, cover potatoes with water and bring to a boil. Add garlic cloves and a good pinch of salt. Drain potatoes when they are soft, about 15 minutes, reserving cooking liquid and garlic.
• Put cooked garlic cloves in a small saucepan and crush with a fork. Add olive oil and heat over a medium flame until quite warm to the touch. Set aside.
• Put potatoes in a large mixing bowl. With your fingers, flake cooked salt cod on top. With a potato masher, roughly blend potatoes and fish. Drizzle in warm garlic oil and mash again. Add cayenne, nutmeg to taste and lemon zest. Stir in ½ cup crème fraîche and beat well to combine. Beat in about ½ cup cooking liquid to lighten mixture so it has the texture of soft mashed potatoes. Taste and adjust seasoning - it will probably need salt and pepper.
• Heat oven to 400 degrees. Use 1 tablespoon butter to grease a low-sided 1-quart baking dish or pie pan. Transfer brandade mixture to dish and smooth with a spatula. Paint the top with 2 tablespoons crème fraîche, and sprinkle with bread crumbs. Dot top with remaining butter. (May be prepared up to a day ahead and stored in the refrigerator; bring to room temperature before baking.) Bake until golden and bubbling, about 20 minutes.

BRANDADE DE MORUE

Steps:

• Place the salt cod in one layer in a skillet or saucepan with water to cover; bring the water to a boil, turn off the heat, and let cool for 15 to 20 minutes. Drain and pick out any stray bones or pieces of skin.
• Place the cod in a food processor with the garlic and a couple tablespoons of the olive oil. Start processing and, through the feed tube, add small amounts of olive oil alternating with small amounts of cream. Continue until the mixture becomes smooth, creamy, and light. (You may not need all of the oil and cream.) Add pepper, some of the lemon juice, and the nutmeg. Blend and taste; the mixture may need a bit of salt and more lemon juice. (You can prepare the dish several hours or even a day ahead to this point; cover and refrigerate until you're ready to eat.)
• Reheat the brandade if necessary, in a double boiler or in a 300°F oven, covered. Serve with bread, toast, or crackers.

SAUTEED CHILEAN SEA BASS WITH POTATO-PARSNIP BRANDADE WITH PIQUILLO PEPPER SAFFRON SAUCE

Steps:

• Brush oil on both sides of fish and season with salt and pepper. Heat saute pan over medium high heat. Place the fish skin-side down and saute until golden brown, about 2 to 3 minutes. Turn over and continue cooking for 2 to 3 minutes.
• Place a large spoonful of brandade onto a warmed dinner plate. Balance one Sauteed sea bass fillet on one side of the brandade. Drizzle the whole plate with the Piquillo Pepper Saffron Sauce.
• Place garlic and 1/4 cup oil in a small saucepan and slowly heat over medium heat until the garlic turns a light golden brown. Place the garlic and a few tablespoons of the oil in a food processor with the salt cod and process until smooth. Pass the potatoes and parsnips through a food mill into a large bowl. Add the salt cod puree, milk and remaining olive oil and stir until combined. Stir in the butter and season with salt and pepper to taste. Keep warm.
• Place shallots, wine, vinegar and saffron in a medium non-reactive pot and cook until the liquid is reduced to 1 tablespoon. Slowly begin whisking in the butter until the sauce emulsifies. Season with salt and pepper, to taste, and fold in the piquillo peppers.

BRANDADE DE MORUE CANAPES

Steps:

• Make the brandade de morue:
• In a ceramic or glass bowl let the salt cod soak in cold water to cover, changing the water several times, for 24 hours and drain it. In a kettle poach the cod in simmering water to cover for 25 minutes, or until it flakes easily when tested with a fork, drain it in a colander, and refresh it under cold water. Pat the cod dry and break it into pieces. In a skillet cook the onion in 2 tablespoons of the oil over moderately low heat, stirring, until it is soft and let it cool. In a food processor puree the onion mixture, the garlic and the cod until the mixture is smooth, with the motor running add the remaining 1/3 cup oil in a stream, 1/2 cup of the cream, the lemon juice, and salt and pepper to taste, and puree the mixture until it is smooth. The brandade de morue may be made 2 days in advance and kept covered and chilled. If desired, thin the brandade with the remaining 2 tablespoons cream.
• On oiled baking sheets arrange the potatoes, cut crosswise into 1/4-inch-thick slices, without touching, drizzle them with the oil, and roast them in a preheated 400°F. oven, turning them once, for 30 to 40 minutes, or until they are tender, slightly crisp around the edges, and pale golden. Transfer the potatoes to paper towels to drain. Arrange the potato slices on a platter, top each slice with a dollop of the brandade, and top the brandade with the roasted red pepper.
• To roast peppers
• Using a long-handled fork char the peppers over an open flame, turning them, for 2 to 3 minutes, or until the skins are blackened. (Or broil the peppers on the rack of a broiler pan under a preheated broiler about 2 inches from the heat, turning them every 5 minutes, for 15 to 25 minutes, or until the skins are blistered and charred.) Transfer the peppers to a a bowl and let them steam, covered, until they are cool enough to handle. Keeping the peppers whole, peel them starting at the blossom end, cut off the tops, and discard the seeds and ribs. (Wear rubber gloves when handling chilies.)

BRANDADE DE MORUE (SALT COD AND POTATO PUREE)

Steps:

• One day ahead, soak the salt cod overnight in cold water to cover, changing the water several times. Drain and rinse thoroughly.
• On the day of serving, boil the potatoes until they are tender. Poach the salt cod in fresh cold water to cover for 15 minutes. Drain, rinse and remove any pieces of skin or bone.
• Combine the potatoes, salt cod and garlic in a food processor. Puree until smooth. Gently heat the olive oil in a small pan. With the machine running, slowly add the hot oil through the funnel, then the hot milk. Season to taste with white pepper. Place the puree in a gratin dish.
• Just before serving, put the puree under a preheated broiler and brown lightly. Serve with fried bread triangles.

BRANDADE DE MORUE

Steps:

• Cover cod with cold water and refrigerate 24 hours, changing water at least 8 times in that period to remove the salt from the fish.
• For croutons: Position rack in center of oven and preheat to 400F.
• Arrange bread slices in singled layer on baking sheet.
• Brush tops with oil and bake until just beginning to colour, about 5 minutes.
• Rub tops of bread with halved garlic.
• Drain cod; cover with cold water in a large saucepan and bring just to simmer.
• Let simmer until cod is tender and just begins to flake, 8-10 minutes.
• Drain cod; break into small pieces.
• Transfer to processor.
• Add crushed garlic cloves.
• Combine hot milk and cream.
• With machine running, pour olive oil and milk alternately through feed tube, several tablespoonfuls at a time, and blend until smooth.
• Season with lemon juice, nutmeg, salt and pepper.
• Mound brandade in center of platter.
• Surround with croutons, olives and parsley.
• Serve at room temperature.
• (can be prepared up to 3 days ahead).

SALT COD BRANDADE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Bake the potatoes until fork-tender, about 45 minutes.
• Meanwhile, combine the salt cod, milk, garlic, thyme and onions in a saucepan. Bring to a slow simmer and cook until the cod flakes, 20 to 30 minutes. Strain the mixture, reserving separately both the milk and the cod/garlic/onion mixture. Remove the thyme and discard.
• While the potatoes are still warm, rice them through a food mill. Stir the cod mixture into the riced potatoes. Add the butter, creme fraiche and enough of the reserved milk to make it smooth. Season with salt and pepper.
• Transfer to a serving bowl, garnish with the capers, dill, parsley and lemon zest and serve with crostini if desired.

RIAD'S BRANDADE DE MORUE

Steps:

• In large bowl, completely cover cod in water, and soak for at least 24 hours, changing water every 2 to 3 hours.
• Make two bouquets garnis: For each, bunch 2 bay leaves, 1 sprig rosemary, and 6 sprigs thyme together, and tie with kitchen string. In a medium saucepan, place cod with 1 head of garlic, 1 bouquet garni, the milk, and 1 cup water. Over low heat, bring to simmer. Cook until fish is flaky, about 10 minutes. Drain, and discard garlic and bouquet garni. When cool enough to touch, flake fish, and set aside.
• Place potatoes in medium saucepan, and cover with salted water. Cook potatoes at a simmer until fork-tender, 15 to 20 minutes, and drain.
• In small saucepan, add oil, remaining head of garlic, and remaining bouquet garni. Over low heat, warm the oil, about 10 minutes. Discard garlic and bouquet garni.
• Put potatoes through a food mill while still warm. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine potatoes and cod on low speed until just incorporated. Slowly add the infused oil, then add 1 cup cream. Do not overmix, or potatoes will become pasty.
• Garnish brandade with remaining 2 tablespoons warm cream and garlic confit. Serve with toasted croutons or bread.

BRANDADE

Steps:

• Soak cod, skin removed, in water, covered and refrigerated, for 3 days (change water twice daily). Drain, and cut into small pieces. Simmer milk, cream, garlic, and potatoes until potatoes are fork-tender, 10 to 15 minutes. Add salt cod, and simmer until tender, about 15 minutes. Reserving 1 cup liquid, transfer mixture to a large bowl. Add olive oil in a slow, steady stream, stirring until mixture is almost smooth, and adding liquid if needed. Season with salt to taste, and drizzle with oil, if desired. Serve with warm bread.

BRANDADE WITH FRESH SALTED COD

Steps:

• Salt the cod very generously with kosher salt. Place in a perforated pan or colander and let sit, refrigerated, for 2 days.
• Add the herbs, spices onion and garlic cloves to the milk and heat for 5 minutes, do not let boil. Add the cod and poach until tender, around 5 to 7 minutes.
• Gently remove the cod with a slotted spoon. Remove any bones and skin. Meanwhile peel and chunk the potatoes. Cook in well-seasoned water or better still, use the milk the fish was poached in. When the potatoes are tender drain, and puree them, either in a ricer or a mixer using the paddle attachment. Pull out 1/3 of the potatoes and add the cod.
• Mix well, at medium speed if using a mixer, drizzling in the olive oil and a bit of the cooking liquid. Keep mixing and adding liquid until the desired consistency is reached. Pound the green garlic or 2 cloves of garlic to a fine paste in a mortar and pestle and stir into the puree.
• For an even more full flavored brandade, pass the onion, garlic, and aromatics through a food mill and stir some of this puree in as well. Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed

BRANDADE WITH ESCABECHE

Steps:

• For the escabeche: Slice the onions in thin half-moons and set aside. Brown the garlic in the oil in a skillet over high heat. Then add the cumin seeds to scent the oil. Add the onions and rosemary and saute at a high heat. When the onions are sauteed, but before they turn soft, add the red vinegar and remove from the heat. Season with salt and pepper.
• For the brandade: Add the salt cod to a pot, cover generously with cold water and bring to a boil. Drain the water, and then add the potatoes, milk and garlic. Bring to a boil and cook until the potatoes are soft. Drain the liquid and discard.
• Add the salt cod-potato mixture to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment. Slowly add the heavy cream and olive oil. Whisk until the ingredients are evenly disbursed, about 3 minutes.
• Preheat the broiler. Put the brandade into an oven-safe dish and broil until golden brown peaks appear on the top, about 8 minutes. Remove from the oven and place the escabeche on top. Drizzle with the olive oil and chopped parsley and serve with toast points.

TUNA AND CAPER BRANDADE CROSTINI

Steps:

• Make brandade:
• Combine potatoes, milk, garlic, bay leaf, thyme, salt, and pepper in a 1- to 1 1/2-quart heavy saucepan and bring to a simmer, stirring. Reduce heat to low and gently simmer, partially covered, stirring occasionally, until potatoes are very tender, about 10 minutes. Discard bay leaf and transfer to a large bowl.
• Add tuna and capers to hot potato mixture, then beat with an electric mixer at low speed, adding oil in a slow stream, until potatoes and tuna are broken up but not smooth and oil is incorporated. Season with salt and pepper.

SMOKED FISH AND WHITE BEAN BRANDADE

Steps:

• In a food processor blend beans, fish, and garlic paste until smooth. With motor running add milk in a slow stream. Stir in thyme and salt to taste. Serve brandade with toasts or bell pepper strips.

BRANDADE DE MORUE (SALT COD AND POTATO PURÉE)

Steps:

• 1. At least 12 hours before cooking, soak the salt cod in water and refrigerate, changing the water 3 or more times. It should taste a bit saltier than a well-seasoned cooked fish. 2. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees. Bake the potato until tender, 50 to 60 minutes. Immediately halve the potato, scoop out the flesh and, using a ricer, rice it over a sheet pan, spreading it out to release the steam. (If you don't rice the potato immediately, it will turn gummy. Alternatively, you can mash the potato, but the texture is finer when riced.) Once they are cool, transfer the potatoes to a large bowl. 3. Meanwhile, drain and rinse the salt cod. Place in a medium pot and cover with cold salted water. Bring to a boil and then simmer until the fish starts to flake, about 10 minutes. Let cool in the liquid. 4. In a small saucepan, heat the olive oil over moderate heat. When hot, add the garlic and shallots and cook until soft, about 4 minutes. Add the cream, bring to a boil and simmer for about 7 minutes to reduce slightly. 5. Drain the cod and pat dry with paper towels. Remove the skin and bones. Using a food processor, pulse it a few times to break into coarse pieces. With the machine running, add the garlic-cream mixture in a steady stream. Transfer the cod and 1 tablespoon of lemon juice to the bowl of potatoes and mix. Taste and season with salt, pepper and more lemon juice. Serve warm or at room temperature with bread slices. If not using immediately, cover and refrigerate for up to 1 week. Adapted from ''In the Hands of a Chef.'' by Jody Adams.

PIQUILLO PEPPERS STUFFED WITH BRANDADE

Steps:

• Soak salt cod in cold water to cover for about 12 hours, changing the water twice during this period. Divide peppercorns, bay leaf and thyme into two batches, and wrap each in cheesecloth to make sachets. Reserve one clove of garlic, then slice the head in half crosswise.
• Pour cream into a small saucepan, and add half a head of garlic. Bring to a boil, then turn heat to a minimum and infuse for 45 minutes. At the same time, pour 1/4 cup of olive oil into a small saucepan and add the other half head of garlic. Heat until garlic starts to sizzle, reduce heat to very low and infuse for 45 minutes. Strain cream and oil separately, and keep them warm.
• When the garlic and the cream have infused for 30 minutes, combine 2 cups of the milk, a herb sachet and the cod in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil, lower heat and cook until cod flakes easily, about 15 minutes. While cod simmers, cook potatoes with remaining milk and herb sachet. Bring to a boil, and simmer for 10 to 15 minutes, until potatoes are tender.
• Drain cod and potatoes, discard sachets, and transfer to a food processor. With machine running, slowly add the infused oil, followed by the cream. Pulse until smooth, then season with white pepper to taste. Use a small spoon or piping bag to stuff 8 of the peppers with this mixture. Cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate until ready to serve. (You can prepare the dish several hours in advance up to this point.)
• Cut remaining piquillos into thin strips; crush and peel the reserved garlic clove. Warm 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a medium skillet over moderate heat. Add the sliced piquillos, red pepper, shallot and garlic to the pan, season with salt and pepper, and saute for 2 or 3 minutes, stirring. Add 2 tablespoons water, cover pan and lower heat. Cook for about 20 minutes, or until vegetables are completely tender. Discard garlic, transfer the mixture to a blender, and puree, then strain through a sieve and keep warm.
• Preheat oven to 250 degrees. Warm 1 tablespoon of the olive oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add stuffed peppers, and transfer to the oven for 20 minutes. Ladle pepper puree onto 4 plates, and top with 2 peppers each; then serve.

BRANDADE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place garlic on a square of foil, rub with 1/2 tablespoon olive oil to coat it, and wrap securely in foil. Roast until cloves are soft, about 30 minutes. Allow to cool, remove cloves from their skins, then mash cloves with a fork.
• While garlic roasts, prepare potatoes and cod: Place potatoes in a saucepan, cover with water, and boil until tender, about 20 minutes. Place cod in a saucepan, add onion, and barely cover with milk. Place over medium-low heat and simmer until cod flakes easily, 15 to 20 minutes. Remove cod with a slotted spoon, transferring it to a plate to cool; leave milk at a very low simmer.
• Drain potatoes; remove onion from milk and discard. Return potatoes to pot and mash them. Immediately and quickly break eggs into hot potatoes and stir vigorously until fully incorporated. Beat in 2 or 3 tablespoons simmering milk until mixture is very thick and smooth. Add one tablespoon olive oil, or as desired, for flavor and texture. Add garlic (it may not all be needed) and salt and pepper to taste.
• Shred cooled cod as finely as possible, and add to potato mixture. Adjust milk, oil, garlic and salt and pepper as desired. Add parsley and mix well. Mound in a shallow serving bowl or on a platter. Serve at room temperature with matzo, if desired.

BRANDADE-STUFFED PIQUILLO PEPPERS

Steps:

• Rinse cod under cold water. Place in a large bowl, and cover with cold water. Cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate 24 hours, changing water every 8 hours.
• Drain cod. Transfer to a medium saucepan, and cover with water. Add onion and bay leaves. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer 10 minutes. Add potato, and cook until cod is easily flaked with a fork and potato is tender, about 20 minutes more. Drain well; discard onion and bay leaves.
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Put cod, potato, 6 tablespoons oil, and the cream into a medium bowl. Mash together with a fork until mixture forms a chunky puree; season with salt and pepper. Cod mixture can be refrigerated in an airtight container up to 2 days.
• Transfer mixture to a pastry bag fitted with a coupler, and fill each pepper. Transfer to a baking dish large enough to hold peppers in a single layer. Drizzle with remaining 2 tablespoons oil, and sprinkle with garlic slices. Cover with foil, and bake until heated through, about 20 minutes. Serve immediately, drizzled with oil if desired.

SMOKED-SARDINE BRANDADE

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan, cover potatoes and garlic with water and season generously with salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer until potatoes are tender, 8 to 10 minutes. Drain, reserving 1 cup cooking water, and return to pan.
• Add sardines and their oil. Whisk mixture until combined, then gradually whisk in oil. Add reserved cooking liquid to adjust consistency. Stir in lemon zest and juice and season to taste with cayenne.
• Preheat broiler. Brush bread with oil and toast until golden brown and crispy, 1 to 2 minutes. Serve warm with brandade.

BRANDADE CAKES WITH CARAMELIZED PEPPERS AND TOMATOES

Steps:

• For the peppers: Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F. Seed the peppers and cut into thin fingers. Toss with the tomatoes, garlic, salt, and pepper, and spread on a baking dish. Pour over the olive oil and bake the peppers to confit, about 3 hours, and set aside.
• For the cakes: Put the cod, potatoes, and garlic in a pot. Tie the bay leaf, thyme sprig, and parsley stems with string, and add. Cover, just, with cold water, and bring to a bare simmer. Poach until the potatoes and cod are tender, about 15 minutes. Drain.
• Discard the herbs. Separate the cod from the potatoes. In a mixing bowl, mash the potatoes with the cream. In a separate bowl, shred the cod finely. Then combine the two again, mixing until creamy. Stir through the espelette pepper and the chopped parsley and chives. Check the seasonings.
• Pour an inch of cooking oil into a skillet and heat until sizzling. Shape the cod and potato mixture into 20 small cakes. Just before frying, dip them in the flour or panko bread crumbs to coat. Fry on both sides until very brown, and crisp. Drain on the paper towels to absorb the excess oil.
• For the plate: Top a brandade cake with a few caramelized peppers and tomatoes. Enjoy!

BRANDADE WITH GRILLED SOURDOUGH

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and preheat a grill to high.
• Place the potatoes on a baking sheet, drizzle with canola oil and season with salt and pepper. Roast until tender and slightly browned, 20 minutes. Transfer the potatoes to a medium bowl and mash until smooth. Cover and set aside.
• Meanwhile, brush the sourdough slices on both sides with olive oil. Grill until toasted and slightly charred on both sides, about 2 minutes per side. Remove the bread from the grill and halve diagonally. Set side.
• Set a medium, high-sided saute pan over medium-high heat. Add 2 tablespoons olive oil and the salt cod and saute for 30 seconds. Add the roasted garlic, thyme and heavy cream, and sprinkle with white pepper. Bring to a boil, then immediately lower to a simmer. Cook until the cod has softened and is cooked through, 15 to 18 minutes. Remove the thyme bundle and flake the cod with a fork until shredded. Add the mashed potatoes, lemon juice, and zest, and cream together to make a spread.
• Drizzle the brandade with olive oil and garnish with parsley. Serve with the grilled sourdough.
• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
• Slice the top off of the head of garlic, just enough to expose the cloves. Set the garlic on a piece of aluminum foil, drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Wrap up the foil into a tight pouch and roast for 35 to 45 minutes.