Bolinho de Bacalhau : a delicacy you can find in the bars of Rio de Janeiro

A pub classic, the recipe for codfish cakes is unanimous! Perfect as a snack or side dish, these dumplings are irresistible. Crunchy on the outside and deliciously soft on the inside, this delicacy is one of the favorites of Portuguese and Brazilian cuisine and what’s more, here in Rio de Janeiro it’s almost a law to have bolinho de bacalhau in every corner bar.

Ingredients (40 portions)

desalted cod fish

300 g desalted and shredded codfish

3 cups boiled and mashed potatoes

1 tablespoon wheat flour

salt to taste

black pepper to taste

3 eggs

2 tablespoons chopped chives

oil for frying

How to prepare
Preparation time: 50 minutes

Mix all the ingredients together in a bowl.

Using a tablespoon, take portions of the dough and make small balls.

Fry in hot oil until golden brown.

Drain on absorbent paper.

Additional information
Tips for preparing the best codfish cake recipe

Have you seen how to make codfish cakes easily?

This codfish cake recipe is practical and very tasty!

Cod is a fish found in many dishes, especially at Christmas and Easter. On TudoGostoso you’ll find some delicious recipes with it, such as bacalhau à Gomes Sá and bolinho de bacalhau. But because it’s a slightly more delicate ingredient, it needs some care when it comes to preparation. That’s why the TudoGostoso blog gives you some tips on how to prepare cod. Check them out and make wonderful dishes with this fish!

Remember to remove all the salt from the cod

Before you start preparing your cod, remember to desalt it properly. Cod is a fish that comes with a large amount of salt and removing this excess is essential.
Place the cod in a bowl of cold water, skin side up, and put it in the fridge. You will need to change the water a few times during the soaking period.

Normally, thick slices need to soak for 48 hours; medium-sized slices need 24 hours and shredded cod needs 6 hours. Ideally, it should be changed every 3 or 4 hours and the water should be very cold.

Remove the skin from the cod

The cod must be completely skinned. You can choose to remove it before or after cooking, but it comes off much more easily after cooking.

Don’t forget the cod bones

The bones are another part of your cod that should be discarded. If you choose to shred the cod, it will be easier to remove and can be done before or after cooking.

Seasoning is important for cod

Even though cod is a super-salty fish, it can’t be left unseasoned. After desalting it completely, remember to season it with olive oil, herbs and other seasonings of your choice.

Always cook the cod

If the recipe calls for boiled cod, place the cod in a pan of water and let it simmer. Never let the cod boil for too long, this can dry out the fish!