Bacalao a la Criolla

By miss5elements

"This is Zoe's [Saldana] favorite dish," says Asalia [Nazario, her mom]. "It's her grandmother's too - and happily, her grandmother brings it to our family reunions!"

Serve w/tostones.

Ingredients

• 2 lb salted dried codfish (soaked for 12-14 hrs; change the water @ least 2x to remove the excess salt.)
• 1 lb potatoes, peeled & cut into quarters
• 2 T EVOO
• 1/4 c green olives, halved
• 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
• 2 green peppers, diced
• 1 t mashed garlic
• 5 plum tomatoes, quartered
• 2 T tomato paste
• Salt to taste

Preparation

Step 1

1. Boil presoaked codfish & potatoes in 4c H2O until fish is tender & flakes easily, ~10-15 minutes. Set aside.
2. In a different pot, heat oil.
3. Saute olives, onion, peppers, garlic & tomatoes.
4. Add 1c H2O. Let simmer for 3 minutes.
5. Stir in tomato paste, then add codfish, potatoes, and another cup of water.
6. Cook on low heat for an additional 5 minutes. The sauce will start to thicken.
7. Taste sauce & add salt to taste. (For more spice, add dash of red or black pepper - or hot sauce!)