Salt Cod and Potato Purée
AI-generated image
Gluten-free French

Salt Cod and Potato Purée

A classic French brandade of morue made with tender salt cod, olive oil, garlic, and creamy potatoes, then baked until lightly golden. It is rich yet clean-tasting, with a softly whipped texture and a savory Mediterranean finish.

85 min 4 servings Medium
All recipes

How to prepare

1
Drain the soaked salt cod and place it in a saucepan with fresh cold water. Bring just to a simmer over medium heat, then cook for 8 to 10 minutes, until the fish flakes easily. Drain, remove any skin and bones, and flake the fish into large pieces.
2
Put the potatoes in a large saucepan, cover with cold water, and add a generous pinch of salt. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 15 to 18 minutes, until a knife slides through the centers without resistance. Drain thoroughly and return the potatoes to the warm pan for 1 minute to steam-dry.
3
Heat the oven to 200°C. Lightly oil a 1.5-liter baking dish with 1 tablespoon of the olive oil.
4
Mash the hot potatoes until mostly smooth. Stir in the grated garlic, lemon zest, lemon juice, black pepper, and parsley, then fold in the flaked cod.
5
Warm the remaining olive oil and milk together in a small saucepan over low heat until hot but not boiling. Add the mixture gradually to the potato and cod mixture, stirring firmly after each addition, until the purée is creamy and holds soft peaks.
Warm milk and olive oil being folded into salt cod and potato purée AI-generated image
6
Spoon the brandade into the prepared baking dish and smooth the surface. Drizzle with any remaining oil, making a few shallow ridges with the back of a spoon.
7
Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until the edges are bubbling and the ridges are golden brown. Rest for 5 minutes, then scatter with extra parsley and serve hot.
Golden-baked salt cod and potato purée garnished with parsley AI-generated image

Why this recipe works

Soaking removes excess salt while preserving the cod's concentrated flavor. Potatoes provide a gentle, fluffy base, and gradually incorporated olive oil gives the purée its characteristic silky body before baking adds a fragrant golden crust.

Storage and reheating

How to store it

Cool within 2 hours, cover, and refrigerate for up to 3 days. The assembled dish may be refrigerated unbaked for up to 24 hours.

How to reheat it

Reheat covered with foil in a 180°C oven for 20 to 25 minutes, then uncover for 5 minutes. Heat until steaming hot throughout, reaching at least 74°C in the center.

Nutrition / serving

788kcal
83.04 gprotein
37.52 gcarbs
33.16 gfat
P
Pantryvale editorial kitchen
Recipe prepared for publication with complete ingredients and ordered cooking steps.
Published 22 Aug 2026 · updated 22 Aug 2026