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Baccalà alla piastra su purè di ceci

Pan Roasted Salt Cod with Chickpea Purée
Total Time30 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Lazio
Keyword: bean, fish, seafood, vegetable

Ingredients

For the baccalà

  • 500g 1 lb salt cod fillets
  • Olive oil
  • A sprig of fresh rosemary
  • 2 2 garlic cloves peeled and slightly crushed

For the chickpea purée

  • 250g 8 oz 250 g (8 oz) dried chickpeas
  • A spring of fresh rosemary
  • 2 2 garlic cloves, peeled and slightly crushed
  • 100ml 1/2 cup olive oil, or to taste
  • Salt and pepper

To finish the dish

  • finely minced parsley
  • olive oil

Instructions

  • The night before you plan to cook, rinse the salt cod of its excess salt and put it in a large bowl with enough water to cover completely. Place in the fridge and let soak overnight, or as long as indicated on the package, changing the water 2 or 3 times.
  • Place the chickpeas in another large bowl with enough water to cover them by several centimeters/inches. Let them soak overnight as well.

Preparing the chickpea purée

  • Drain the chickpeas, then transfer them to a large pot together with the rosemary and garlic and a good pinch of salt. Add enough water to cover them by several cetemeters/inches. Simmer until very tender, adding water as needed to ensure they are always complete covered.
  • Transfer the chickpeas to a blender along with the garlic and a few rosemary leaves. Add a ladleful of the cooking water and blend at high. As you are blending, drizzle in the olive oil until you have a perfectly smooth and velvety purée.
    Add more cooking liquid if the purée is too thick for your taste. Keep warm until needed.

Marinating and Pan Searing the Salt Cod

  • Drain the salt cod well and pat dry. Cut into serving pieces. Pick off any bits of skin or bone you may find.
  • Place the cod fish fillets in a sealable container or plastic bag with the rosemary and garlic nestled among them. Drizzle with enough olive oil to coat well. Seal and let the cod marinate for about 2 hours, or until needed.
  • Remove the cod fillets and pick off any stray bits of rosemary or garlic, leaving a nice coating of oil.
  • Sear the cod fillets in a skillet over a lively heat, about 3-5 minutes per side depending on thickness, until cooked through and golden brown.

Finishing the Dish

  • Slather a 'bed' of the chickpea purée on each dish. Arrange your seared cod fillet over the purée and drizzle with a spoonful of the pan juices or a drizzle of your best quality olive oil. Sprinkle with minced parsley for color if desired.
  • Serve immediately