Veracruz-Style Cod Stew

One of the main things I enjoy about the cookbook, “Tu Casa Mi Casa,” is how it takes me out of my comfort zone of rice, beans, and tacos and enables me to explore a wider array of Mexican cooking. For example, I used to be intimidated to cook fish, but this rustic one-pot Veracruz-Style Cod Stew flavored with fresh lemon, olives, capers, and pickled peppers is worth facing my anxiety (and overcoming it!)

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Veracruz-Style Cod Stew

Once the novelty of using salt cod wore off, this recipe is really quite easy to prepare. I learned that any dish served "a la veracruzana" is served with a mild tomato sauce prepared with olives and capers. It's a slightly tangy and mildly spicy stew that includes sweet bell pepper and smooth baby potatoes.

Prep Time15 mins

Cook Time50 mins

De-salting the cod12 hrs

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Mexican

Keyword: dairy-free, fish, gluten-free, paleo, stew, sugar-free, wheat-free, Whole Life Challenge

Servings: 4

Calories: 449kcal

Ingredients

• 1/2 lb salt cod no bones or skin
• 4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1 bunch green onion sliced
• 10 plum tomatoes very ripe, roughly chopped
• 1/2 lb baby or fingerling potatoes cut into bite-size pieces (quartered)
• 4-6 pickled jalapeno or banana peppers depending on desired spiciness
• 1 red bell pepper sliced
• 4 tbsp pitted green olives chopped rough
• 4 tbsp capers or caper berries
• 4 bay leaves
• 2 lemons sliced
• 1/2 cup sliced almonds blanched
• Kosher salt to taste

Instructions

• De-salt the cod: place the cod in fresh water and allow it to soak for at least 12 hours or up to 2 days. Change the water at least three times during this process.
• Heat the olive oil over medium-high heat in a Dutch Oven or large pot. Add the green onion and fry until it starts to brown, about 5 minutes.
• Add the tomatoes and cook until they start to break down, about 10 minutes.
• Reduce heat to a simmer; add the cod and the remaining ingredients. Cover and cook until the potatoes are cooked through, 20-30 minutes.
  
• If the liquid begins to evaporating too quickly, add water (this dish is a stew and should be soupy). Add salt to taste.

Notes

This recipe comes from “Tu Casa Mi Casa” by Enrique Olvera. We adapted it a bit to make it low-FODMAP.

The stew is hearty enough to be served on it’s own, or with a scoop of rice or crusty bread to soak up the sauce.