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–+ servings
best Bacalao al Pil Pil recipe by The Mediterranean Fork

Cod Pil Pil Recipe

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5 from 2 votes
Unlock the secrets of creating a delicious Cod Pil Pil recipe with our easy-to-follow guide! Learn how to make this flavorful dish from scratch in no time.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time25 minutes
Total Time35 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Spanish

Equipment

  • Pots
  • Kitchen towels
  • Non-stick skillet
  • Kitchen thermometer (optional)
  • Spoons and knives

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 1 cod loin (around 600 g.)
  • 6 garlic cloves thinly sliced
  • 1/4 cup fish broth
  • 1/2 cup fresh parsley finely chopped
  • 2 dried chilis (cayenne pepper)
  • Sea salt
  • pepper

Nutrition

Calories: 1266kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 164g | Fat: 61g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 8g | Monounsaturated Fat: 40g | Cholesterol: 387mg | Sodium: 702mg | Potassium: 4027mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 3156IU | Vitamin C: 55mg | Calcium: 237mg | Iron: 6mg
Servings: 4
Calories: 1266kcal

Notes

  • Pil Pil is a typical sauce from the Basque country, and because of its very simple preparation, it requires the best quality olive oil that we can find.
  • This dish is typically served in a clay casserole.

Instructions

  • Cut the cod loin into chunks, pat it dry with paper towels, and season with salt and pepper.
  • Heat a non-stick skillet to medium and add the olive oil.
  • Add the garlic cloves and let them cook for a couple of minutes, just until golden brown. Remove and reserve.
  • Place the cod loins, skin side down, in the oil and let it cook at low/med temperature, around 60ºC/140ºF (you are not frying the cod, it should cook in oil but slowly). You will cook them for around 7-8 minutes per side or until they are white on both sides and start to release the fat and collagen. You can use a spoon to cover them with hot oil while they continue cooking on one side.
  • Remove around half of the oil that’s left in the skillet and reserve. Add the fish broth and dried chilis and move the skillet vigorously until it starts to emulsify – instead of a liquid sauce, it will become kind of a soft jelly consistency.
  • Add the cod back to the skillet, season with salt and pepper, and top with fresh parsley.
KEYWORD: cod pil pil recipe