Description
Ajoarriero Bliss is a traditional Spanish dish that transforms desalted cod into a flavorful feast with sautéed vegetables, paprika, and optional potatoes, finished with a delicious pil pil sauce made from cod skins. Perfect for a comforting and hearty meal ready in about 40 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 kg Desalted cod
- 1 medium Onion (Finely chopped)
- 3 cloves Garlic (Minced)
- 1 medium Red bell pepper (Roasted or fresh)
- 1 medium Green bell pepper (Sliced)
- 2 medium Tomatoes (Chopped)
- 300 g Potatoes (Peeled and diced – optional)
- 4 tablespoons Olive oil (For sautéing)
- 1 teaspoon Sweet or smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 1 teaspoon Pepper
- As needed Cod skins (To make a pil pil sauce)
Instructions
- Prepare the base: In a large pan, warm the olive oil over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onions and minced garlic and sauté until the onions become translucent, creating a flavorful aromatic base.
- Add the peppers: Toss in the roasted red bell peppers along with the sliced green bell pepper. Stir well to combine and allow the sweetness of the peppers to infuse with the onion and garlic mixture.
- Cook the tomatoes: Add the chopped tomatoes to the pan and cook until they soften and release their natural juices, enriching the sauce.
- Incorporate the cod: If using fresh cod, gently add it to the pan and cook until it easily flakes. For desalted cod, fold it in after the vegetables have cooked to preserve its texture and flavor.
- Add potatoes and spices: If including diced potatoes, add them now along with the sweet or smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir everything well and cook until the potatoes are tender and infused with the spices.
- Serve and garnish: Serve the dish hot. Optionally, drizzle some pil pil sauce made from cod skins over the top to add a rich, silky finish.
Notes
- Desalting cod properly is essential if not using pre-desalted cod to prevent excessive saltiness.
- Roasting the red bell pepper adds a smoky flavor, but fresh peppers can be used for convenience.
- Potatoes are optional but adding them makes the dish more substantial and filling.
- The pil pil sauce from cod skins adds authenticity and extra texture but can be omitted if unavailable.
- Use sweet paprika for a milder flavor or smoked paprika for a rustic smoky touch.
- Adjust seasoning towards the end of cooking to taste.
