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The appetizer, From around the world

Cod fritters (accras de morue)

Cod fritters, or accras de morue, are Caribbean fritters made with desalted, flaked cod, serving 6 as an appetizer. They take 30 minutes of active work, the batter can be made the night before or that morning, and only the frying happens at the last minute. This is an easy recipe at €1.70 per person, and the key to success is letting the batter rest in the fridge before frying.

Puffed up, golden Caribbean fritters with a little kick of chili, served piping hot and gone in minutes.

Cod fritters (accras de morue)
For
6 people
Work
30 min
Total time
1 h
Prep
Prepared the day before
Difficulty
Easy
Cost per person
€1.70
Calories per person
240 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach

Cod fritters are the kind of bite that always disappears first at a party. Crisp on the outside, soft inside, scented with garlic, chives, and a touch of chili that wakes up your palate without overwhelming it. The flaked cod keeps long fibers that give each bite some real texture, a world away from a plain batter fritter.

This is the recipe to kick off a dinner with friends or a festive family meal, served hot straight out of the fryer. It works year round, just as good for a summer evening on the terrace as for a winter night when you want something warm and comforting before the main course.

The schedule

What happens when, so you can be with your guests instead of in the kitchen.

  1. The day before 1 step, 20 min
  2. The same day 3 steps, 1 h
  3. Before the guests arrive Nothing to do
  4. When it's time to serve 1 step, 12 min

The night before, desalt the cod in the fridge, changing the water. The morning of, poach the cod, make the batter, and let it rest in the fridge, so everything is ready before your guests arrive. All that is left is heating the oil and frying the fritters right when you serve, so they reach the table piping hot.

The ingredients

6 people

Fish counter

  • Desalted salt cod 300 g

Pantry

  • Flouroften in the pantry 200 g
  • Baking powderoften in the pantry 1 tsp
  • Frying oiloften in the pantry 75 cl
  • Pepperoften in the pantry 1 pinch

Dairy

  • Eggs 2
  • Milk 15 cl

Fruits and vegetables

  • Chives 1 bunch
  • Garlic 2 cloves
  • Caribbean chili or sweet pepper 1
  • Parsley 0.5 bunch

Allergens Gluten, Fish, Eggs, Lactose

The recipe, moment by moment

The day beforeWhat's better after resting overnight in the fridge.

  1. Soak the cod in cold water in the fridge, changing the water three times. 20 min

    Taste a small piece before moving on, if it is still too salty, change the water once more.

The same dayDuring the day, whenever you get a moment.

  1. Poach the cod in simmering water for ten minutes, drain it, then flake it, removing bones and skin. 20 min

    Flake it with a fork so the fibers stay long and make for nice bites.

  2. Mix the flour, baking powder, eggs, and milk into a thick batter, then add the cod, garlic, chives, parsley, finely chopped chili, and pepper. 10 min

    Chop the chili very fine and remove the seeds if you want to tone down the heat.

  3. Let the batter rest, covered, in the fridge. 30 min

    Resting it in the fridge makes the batter firmer, so it drops cleanly off the spoon.

When it's time to serveThe final touches, right in front of your guests.

  1. Heat the oil to 175 degrees and drop in spoonfuls of batter, frying four minutes and turning them. 12 min

    Dip the spoon in the hot oil before each scoop, the batter slides off on its own.

Our tips to get it right

  • Desalt the cod thoroughly ahead of time, fritters made with still salty fish are inedible, so taste a small piece before moving on.
  • Fry in small batches, too many fritters at once drops the oil temperature and leaves you with greasy fritters instead of crisp ones.
  • Drain on paper towels right out of the oil, this keeps the fritters from going soft while you finish frying the rest.

The variations

  • Swap the cod for peeled shrimp, roughly chopped, for a different but just as flavorful version.
  • For a vegetarian version, replace the cod with chopped hearts of palm or grated vegetables like zucchini, well squeezed of excess water.
  • For kids, skip the chili and cut the garlic in half, the batter stays just as soft without the heat.

What to serve it with

  • A ti punch or tropical fruit juice
  • A sauce chien for dipping
  • Lime wedges squeezed on top

Storage

The raw batter keeps for two days in the fridge in a sealed container. Cooked fritters do not hold up as well, it is best to eat them the same day, though you can reheat them briefly in the oven to bring back some crispness. The raw batter does not freeze well because of the eggs and milk, so avoid freezing it.

Questions about this recipe

Can I use pre-desalted cod from the store?

Yes, that actually makes things easier, you can poach it directly without the desalting step. Still taste a small piece before mixing it into the batter to make sure it is not too salty.

What oil works best for frying?

A neutral oil that handles heat well, like sunflower or peanut oil, works great. Avoid olive oil, its flavor is too strong here and it smokes faster at high heat.

How do I know if the batter has the right texture?

The batter should be thick and hold its shape when dropped from a spoon rather than running off, a sign it has rested enough in the fridge. If it looks too runny, stir in another spoonful of flour before frying.

Can I swap the Caribbean chili for another kind?

Yes, a bird's eye chili or even a few drops of hot sauce will do the job if you cannot find the Caribbean kind. Adjust the amount to the heat you want, the Caribbean chili leans more fragrant than fiery.

Can some cod fritters be made ahead?

Yes, it's even recommended. The recipe needs 30 min of work in total, split up like this, the day before, 1 step, the same day, 3 steps, when it's time to serve, 1 step.

How long does it take to make some cod fritters?

Allow 1 h in total, including resting and cooking time, of which 30 min is actual work. The recipe is rated "easy".

How many calories are in some cod fritters?

About 240 kcal per person, for a recipe meant for 6 people. The calories are calculated by Kiloach, your kilo coach, the app that partners with Mon Chou.

How much does some cod fritters cost?

About €1.70 per person, that's €10.20 for 6 people, based on average supermarket prices.

What allergens does this recipe contain?

This recipe contains gluten, fish, eggs, lactose. Remember to ask your guests about their allergies before putting your menu together.

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