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Fish, South and mountains

Gratinéed salt cod with spinach

Gratinéed salt cod with spinach is a fish dish for 4 people, ready in 60 minutes, easy difficulty, around €4.50 per person. You layer creamy spinach with flaked salt cod, then bake until golden on top. The key to success is soaking the salt cod 24 hours ahead, which makes the fish tender and just salty enough.

Tonight, a soft salt cod and spinach gratin, golden from the oven, with steamed potatoes on the side.

Gratinéed salt cod with spinach
Total time
1 h
Difficulty
Easy
Cost per person
€4.50
Calories per person
550 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach
Season
Winter, Fall, Spring
The kids
They generally like it

Flaked salt cod melts into creamy spinach, and the golden top gives you the crunch that fish dishes often lack. Nutmeg quietly lifts the spinach without overpowering it, and melted Gruyère ties everything into one generous bite. It's a soft, never dry gratin that feels hearty without being heavy.

This is the kind of dish you make on a winter Sunday, or on a weeknight when you remembered to soak the cod the day before. Kids often like it more than plain fish, since the cream and cheese soften the briny flavor. Steamed potatoes on the side round out the meal without extra work.

The ingredients

4 people

Fish counter

  • Salt cod, soaked 600 g

Frozen foods

  • Frozen leaf spinach 600 g

Fruits and vegetables

  • Garlic 3 cloves
  • Potatoes 800 g

Dairy

  • Heavy cream 20 cl
  • Grated Gruyère 80 g

Pantry

  • Breadcrumbsoften in the pantry 2 tbsp
  • Olive oiloften in the pantry 2 tbsp
  • Nutmegoften in the pantry 1 pinch
  • Saltoften in the pantry 1 pinch
  • Pepperoften in the pantry 1 pinch

Allergens Fish, Lactose, Gluten

The step by step recipe

  1. Poach the salt cod in barely simmering water, drain it, then flake it, removing skin and bones. 10 min

    Never let the water boil, the cod would turn dry and stringy.

  2. Cook the chopped garlic in the olive oil, add the spinach and let the liquid evaporate, then stir in the cream and nutmeg. 12 min

    Press the spinach well in a strainer before adding it, to avoid a watery gratin.

  3. In a baking dish, layer spinach, then cod, then finish with a final layer of spinach.

    Leave a few small gaps so the cream can seep through.

  4. Sprinkle with Gruyère and breadcrumbs, then bake at 200 degrees until golden on top. 20 min

    For an extra crispy top, dot the breadcrumbs with a few small pieces of butter.

  5. Meanwhile, steam the potatoes and serve them alongside the gratin. 25 min

    Salt the water under the steamer, the flavor rises with the steam.

Our tips to get it right

  • Taste a small piece of soaked salt cod before cooking, if it's still too salty, let it soak for another hour.
  • Drain the thawed frozen spinach thoroughly, pressing it hard with your hands, or the gratin will turn watery in the oven.
  • Use a wide, shallow baking dish rather than a deep one, the top browns better and more evenly.

The variations

  • Swap the salt cod for fresh cod, skipping the soaking step, for a faster weeknight version.
  • For a vegetarian version, replace the salt cod with sliced hard boiled eggs between the layers of spinach.
  • For kids, blend the creamed spinach lightly for a smoother, less fibrous texture.

What to serve it with

  • Steamed potatoes
  • A well seasoned green salad
  • A glass of dry white wine

Storage

The gratin keeps for 2 days in the fridge in a sealed container. It freezes well once cooled, for up to 2 months. Reheat it in the oven rather than the microwave to keep the top crisp.

Questions about this dish

Can you use pre-soaked salt cod from the store?

Yes, that works fine and saves you time. Rinse it quickly before poaching anyway, in case it's still a bit salty.

Can this gratin be made ahead of time?

Yes, you can assemble it the day before and keep it in the fridge unbaked. Take it out a little before baking so it doesn't go into the oven too cold.

Can fresh spinach replace the frozen spinach?

Yes, use about 2.6 pounds of fresh spinach to replace the 1.3 pounds of frozen. Wilt it in a pan and press it well before continuing with the recipe.

What cheese can replace Gruyère?

You can use Emmental or Comté instead, both melt and brown just as well. Avoid very strong cheeses that would overpower the mild flavor of the cod.

How long does it take to make a gratinéed salt cod with spinach and steamed potatoes?

Count 1 h in total, prep and cooking included. The recipe is rated “easy”.

How many calories are in a gratinéed salt cod with spinach and steamed potatoes?

About 550 kcal per serving, for a recipe meant for 4 people. Calories are calculated by Kiloach, your weight coach, the app that partners with Mon Chou.

How much does a gratinéed salt cod with spinach and steamed potatoes cost?

About €4.50 per serving, or €18.00 for 4 people, based on average supermarket prices.

What allergens does this recipe contain?

This recipe contains fish, lactose, gluten. Always check the labels of the products you buy.

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