Bacalao Guisado (Filipino style)

Whenever I have the chance to bring Bee (a.k.a my hubby) with me in the local public market, he would always find his way onto the dried fish section and purchase his favorite buwad (Visayan term for driedfish). He wants this particular one which is meaty and flaky, the bacalao / bakalaw.

Bacalao  is a spanish word for dried cod. In most European countries, bacalao is the term used for stockfish or salted cod. Originally, cod fish is used in drying and salting. There has been a decline of supply  of cod fish, so other species have used instead.  

We are not european, but we have been greatly influenced by the spanish cultures and cuisines. There are several ways of preparing bacalao dish, but the one my palate is used in tasting to is simply having it cooked in olive oil and tomatoes. Here goes...

Ingredients:

3 slices of dried fish

2 tbsp olive oil

3 cloves garlic, peeled and minced

1 med. sized onion, chopped

thumbsized ginger, crushed

5 fresh ripe tomatoes, seeded and finely chopped

1 green chili 

freshly ground peppercorn, to taste

green olives (optional)

1  cup water.

How to prepare:

• Soak dried fish in a bowl of water for 10-15 minutes.
• Heat olive oil in pan. saute ginger, onions and garlic. Add tomatoes and 1 cup water. Cook tomatoes for 2-3 minutes to make a nice tomato sauce.
• Add dried fish and olives (if you plan to add olives). Sprinkle some ground peppercorn. Cover and let the dried fish simmer in tomato sauce for 5 to 8 minutes.
• No need to add salt, since dried fish is salty enough. 
• Garnish with green chilis.
• Serve with rice.

This post is linked to :  eRecipecards ,  Food Trip Friday, Food Friday