Feb 18, 2012

Baccalà Mantecato (Grilled Polenta with Dried Cod Mousse)

This creamy codfish mousse is delicious served with char-grilled squares of polenta. This recipe first appeared in our March 2012 issue, with Dana Bowen's story Good and Plenty.

Credit: Todd Coleman

SERVES 10�12

Ingredients

10 oz. dried salt cod
4 cups milk
1 medium yellow onion, halved
1 rib celery, halved
1 clove garlic, crushed
1/2 cup olive oil, plus more
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
1 1/3 cups quick-cooking polenta
24 small leaves radicchio
2 tbsp. finely chopped parsley

Instructions

1. Place cod in a 2-qt. saucepan, and cover by 2″ with cold water; boil for 20 minutes. Drain cod, return to saucepan, and repeat process twice more. Transfer cod to a 6-qt. saucepan and add milk, onion, celery, garlic, and 10 cups water; boil. Reduce heat to medium-low; cook until cod is tender, about 20 minutes. Drain cod, reserving 1/4 cup cooking liquid; discard vegetables and skin and bones from cod. Process cod and cooking liquid in a food processor until smooth. While processor is running, drizzle in 1/2 cup oil; continue mixing until smooth. Transfer to a bowl and season with salt and pepper; chill cod mousse.

2. Meanwhile, bring 4 cups salted water to a boil in a 4-qt. saucepan over high heat; while whisking, add polenta, and cook, stirring, until thick, 3�5 minutes. Transfer to a greased 12″ x 9″ rimmed baking sheet; smooth top and chill until set. Heat a cast-iron grill pan over high heat. Cut polenta into eighteen 2″ x 3″ rectangles; brush with more oil. Working in batches, grill polenta, turning once, until slightly charred, about 4 minutes. Top each rectangle with radicchio and a dollop of cod mousse; sprinkle with parsley.