Bacalao al pil pil

Bacalao al pil pil

Course	Main course
Place of origin	Spain
Region or state	Basque Country
Main ingredients	Salted cod
Ingredients generally used	Garlic, olive oil
Media: Bacalao al pil pil

Bacalao al pil pil is a traditional Basque dish made with bacalao (salted cod), garlic, and olive oil. The cod is gently poached in olive oil and served with an emulsion sauce made from the olive oil, the cod's natural juices, and gelatin called pil pil. This dish has been popular in Northern Spain for centuries. ^[1]

Etymology

Al pil pil is an onomatopoeic term, in reference to the sound of pan-frying cod, with its connective tissue breaking down and spattering. ^[2]

Preparation

First, the garlic is thinly sliced and sautéed in olive oil. The pan is then removed from the heat for the oil to cool down. (Some recipes call for the garlic to be removed and added at the end.) Once cooled, pieces of cod are added to the oil, skin side up. The oil is gradually reheated to a low temperature, and the cod is gently cooked for about 20 to 30 minutes. During this time, the pan should be continuously moved to create the emulsion sauce. The fish is served with the sauce poured over it. Dried or fresh chili is sometimes used to flavor or garnish the dish. ^{[3] [4]}

See also

• Basque cuisine
• Marmitako
• Piperrada

References

1. "Traditional Spanish Cod Recipe: Bacalao Al Pil Pil". The Spruce Eats. Retrieved 2024-06-18.
2. Groundwater, Ben (2024-03-18), There’s nothing on Earth like this surprising fish dish, The Sydney Morning Herald
3. "Bacalao Al Pil Pil | Spanish Cod and Pil Pil Sauce recipe". Basco. Retrieved 2024-06-18.
4. Alonso, Alfonso López (2022-12-05). "Bacalao al pil pil". De Rechupete (in Spanish). Retrieved 2024-06-18.