Bacalhau

Bacalhau à moda da Madeira

Cod flakes with potatoes, onion, corn or chickpeas and olive oil — an Atlantic-style dish from Madeira.

RegionMadeira / Atlantic cuisine
DifficultyMedium
Total time1 hour 05 minutes
Servings4 to 6 servings
Photo of Bacalhau à moda da Madeira — traditional Portuguese recipe
Photo of the traditional Portuguese recipe.

Editorial content from Empório Portugal. Traditional recipes may vary by region, family and cook.

About the recipe

In Madeira, cod appears on platters with potatoes, onions and, sometimes, corn or chickpeas.

Olive oil and local vegetables define the character of the dish — a hearty, welcoming dish for the table.

Ingredients

  • 700 g desalted cod flakes
  • 5 potatoes
  • 3 onions
  • 1 cup cooked chickpeas
  • 150 ml of olive oil
  • 4 cloves of garlic
  • Parsley and chives
  • Black pepper

Method

  1. Cook potatoes and chickpeas separately.
  2. Sauté onions and garlic in olive oil until softened.
  3. Add the cod and cook for 10 minutes.
  4. Add sliced potatoes and chickpeas.
  5. Gently fold in and season with pepper.
  6. Drizzle with extra olive oil and finish with herbs.
  7. Serve hot on a platter.

Tips from Empório Portugal

  • Quality cooked chickpeas improve texture.
  • Chives add a fresh aromatic note.
  • Let it rest before serving for the flavours to settle.

Possible substitutions in Brazil

  • Cooked corn can replace chickpeas.
  • Sweet potato appears in some family variations.

Pairing

A Madeiran white wine or a young Sercial. Content intended for people over 18 years of age. Drink in moderation.

Editorial note from Empório Portugal

This recipe is part of the editorial curation of Empório Portugal, developed from Portuguese culinary tradition. Like every traditional recipe, it may vary by region, family and cook.

Do you have a Portuguese family recipe?

Send it to the Empório Portugal community. Submitted recipes are reviewed before any publication.

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Quick facts

Prep
30 min
Cooking
35 min
Total time
1 hour 05 minutes
Yield
4 to 6 servings
Difficulty
Medium
Occasion
Family lunch, regional cuisine

Pairing

A Madeiran white wine or a young Sercial. Content intended for people over 18 years of age. Drink in moderation.

Empório tip

Quality cooked chickpeas improve texture.

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