Bacalao al Pil Pil
A classic Basque dish featuring salt cod gently cooked in olive oil, which then emulsifies with the released cod gelatin to create a rich, creamy, and flavorful sauce. The 'pil pil' sound refers to the gentle bubbling of the oil during the emulsification process.
🧂 Ingredients
- 600 g Salt cod (bacalao)
- 250-300 ml Extra virgin olive oil
- 6-8 cloves Garlic
- 1-2 whole Dried Guindilla chili peppers
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Desalt the salt cod: Rinse the salt cod thoroughly under cold running water. Place the cod in a large bowl and cover generously with cold water. Refrigerate for 24 to 48 hours, changing the water every 6-8 hours. The cod should feel less salty and slightly softened. Drain well and pat dry.
⏱️ 24-48 hours - 2
Prepare the infused oil: In a wide, shallow pan (preferably earthenware or non-stick), add the olive oil, sliced garlic, and whole dried chili peppers. Heat over very low heat, around 60-70°C (140-160°F). The oil should be warm, not hot, and the garlic should turn a very pale golden color without browning. This infuses the oil with flavor. This process should take about 10-15 minutes. Once infused, carefully remove the garlic slices and chili peppers with a slotted spoon and set them aside. Keep the infused oil warm over the lowest possible heat.
⏱️ 15 minutes - 3
Cook the cod: Gently place the desalted cod pieces into the warm, infused olive oil, skin-side down. Ensure the oil is barely simmering – you should see tiny bubbles around the cod, but no vigorous boiling. Cook for about 5-7 minutes on the skin side, until the skin is slightly crisp and the flesh begins to turn opaque. Carefully flip the cod pieces to the flesh side.
⏱️ 10-15 minutes - 4
Emulsify the sauce: Continue to cook the cod on the flesh side for another 5-7 minutes, or until the cod is just cooked through and flakes easily. The key is to maintain a very low, gentle heat. Remove the cod pieces from the pan and set aside on a plate. Increase the heat slightly and begin to gently swirl the pan in a circular motion. As you swirl, the gelatin released from the cod will start to emulsify with the warm olive oil, creating a creamy, pale sauce. Continue swirling vigorously for 5-10 minutes, gradually incorporating more of the oil from the pan into the emulsion. The sauce should thicken and become cohesive. If it looks like it's separating, reduce the heat and continue swirling.
⏱️ 10-15 minutes - 5
Serve: Return the cod pieces to the pan with the emulsified sauce. Gently spoon some of the sauce over the cod. Garnish with the reserved crispy garlic slices and chili peppers. Serve immediately.
⏱️ 2 minutes
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Maintaining a very low, consistent heat throughout the cooking and emulsification process is crucial for success. The oil should never boil vigorously.
- ✓The gelatin released from the salt cod is the key ingredient that binds with the olive oil to create the signature 'pil pil' emulsion.
- ✓Swirling the pan in a continuous, rhythmic circular motion is essential for achieving a stable emulsion. Start slowly and gradually increase speed as the sauce thickens.
- ✓If the emulsion breaks (separates), don't panic. You can often rescue it by adding a teaspoon of warm water or a tiny bit more cod gelatin (if available) and continuing to swirl vigorously over low heat.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- Add thinly sliced bell peppers (red or green) to the oil along with the garlic in Step 2 for added sweetness and color.
- Finely chopped fresh parsley can be stirred into the sauce just before serving for a burst of freshness.