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Gesmoorde
Vis (Salt Cod & Potatoes With Tomato Sauce)
1 lb salt cod
3 medium boiling potatoes (about 1 pound) 4 medium firm ripe
tomatoes 3 tablespoon vegetable oil 3 small onions, peeled
and cut crosswise in; to slices 1/8 inch thick 1 tablespoon plus
1 teaspoon finely chopped fres; h hot chilies 1 teaspoon finely
chopped garlic 1 tablespoon light-brown sugar 1 lemon, cut
lengthwise into 4 or 6 w; edges 1 parsley sprigs
Starting a day
ahead, place the cod in a glass, enameled or stainless-steel pan or
bowl. Cover it with cold water and soak for at least 12 hours,
gently squeezing the cod dry and changing the water every 3 or 4
hours.
Drain the cod, rinse it thoroughly under cold running
water, and cut it into 1-inch pieces.
Drop the potatoes into
enough lightly salted boiling water to cover them completely and
cook briskly, uncovered, until they are almost tender and show only
slight resistance when pierced with the point of a sharp knife.
Drain and peel the potatoes and cut them into 1-inch
cubes.
Place the tomatoes in a pan of boiling water and let
them boil briskly for about 10 seconds. Run cold water over them,
and peel them with a small, sharp knife. Cut the tomatoes crosswise
into 1/8-inch- thick rounds.
In a heavy 10 to 12-inch
skillet, heat the oil over moderate heat until a light haze forms
above it. Drop in the onions and, stirring frequently, cook for 8 to
10 minutes, or until they are soft and golden brown. Watch carefully
for any sign of burning and regulate the heat accordingly. Add the
tomatoes, 1 tablespoon of the chilies, the garlic and sugar, and
cook briskly, uncovered, stirring from time to time, until most of
the liquid in the pan has evaporated and the mixture is thick enough
to hold its shape lightly in a spoon.
Stir in the cod and
potatoes, reduce the heat to low, and cover tightly. Simmer for 20
to 25 minutes, or until the fish flakes easily when prodded gently
with a fork. Taste for seasoning.
Serve the gesmoorde vis at
once, mounded on a heated platter or in a large bowl. Sprinkle with
the remaining teaspoon of chopped chilies and arrange the lemon
wedges and parsley sprigs decoratively on top. Serve accompanied, if
you like, by hot boiled rice and lemon or green bean
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