Fish, European
Salt cod fritters with red bean rice
Salt cod fritters, or pataniscas, are flat fritters made from flaked salt cod, eggs, and parsley, served with red bean rice. For 4 people, this takes 55 minutes and medium difficulty, at about €3.10 per person. The key to success is a rested batter that isn't too thick, for golden, light fritters.
Tonight, pataniscas, these flat golden salt cod and parsley fritters, with rice cooked with red beans.
- Total time
- 55 min
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Cost per person
- €3.10
- Calories per person
- 690 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach
- Season
- Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
- The kids
- They generally like it
Pataniscas are the flat fritters found in every proper Portuguese kitchen. Flaked salt cod blends into a light, parsley flecked batter, and pan frying gives a crisp golden crust around a soft center. The red bean rice, simmered in a tomato and garlic base, brings the comforting side that balances the crunch of the fritters.
This is a dish for an evening when you have a bit of time ahead, rather than a rushed weeknight, because of the soaking time for the cod and the resting time for the batter. Kids generally like the fritter shape, easier to handle than a whole piece of fish, and the bean rice tends to please even picky eaters. It's also a good way to win the whole family over to salt cod.
The ingredients
Fish counter
- Desalted salt cod 400 g
Pantry
- Flouroften in the pantry 150 g
- Riceoften in the pantry 300 g
- Jarred red beansoften in the pantry 400 g
- Crushed tomatoesoften in the pantry 100 g
- Frying oiloften in the pantry 25 cl
- Pepperoften in the pantry 1 pinch
Dairy
- Eggs 2
- Milk 20 cl
Fruits and vegetables
- Onion 1
- Parsley 1 bunch
- Garlic 2 cloves
Allergens Fish, Gluten, Eggs
The step by step recipe
-
Finely flake the desalted cod and chop the onion and parsley.
Run your fingers through the flakes to check for any remaining bones.
-
Mix flour, eggs, and milk into a smooth batter, then add the cod, onion, parsley, and pepper. 30 min
The batter should coat a spoon, neither too thick nor too runny.
-
Cook the garlic in a saucepan, add the rice, tomatoes, and water, and let it cook. 15 min
Use twice the volume of water, as for a pilaf style rice.
-
Add the drained red beans to the rice at the end of cooking and let it sit off the heat to plump up. 5 min
Cover with a kitchen towel so the rice absorbs the steam.
-
Fry spoonfuls of batter in hot oil, two minutes on each side, and drain on paper towels. 10 min
Flatten the batter slightly in the oil with the back of the spoon, pataniscas are flat.
Our tips to get it right
- Drain the desalted cod well and press it in a kitchen towel before flaking it, otherwise the batter turns too runny.
- Fry a small test spoonful of batter before starting the full batch, so you can adjust the oil temperature if needed.
- Keep the fritters warm in a low oven while you finish frying the rest, they stay crisp until serving.
The variations
- Swap the salt cod for fresh poached and flaked cod for a milder version with no soaking step.
- For a vegetarian version, replace the cod with roughly mashed chickpeas and keep the rest of the recipe the same.
- For kids in a hurry, shape small round bites instead of flat spoonfuls, they cook faster and are easy to eat with fingers.
What to serve it with
- A lemony green salad
- A drizzle of olive oil on the rice
- A glass of sparkling water with lemon
Storage
The fritters keep for 2 days in the fridge in a sealed container and reheat in a few minutes in the oven to stay crisp. The bean rice also keeps 2 to 3 days in the fridge and freezes well. Avoid freezing the fritters themselves, they lose their texture once thawed.
Questions about this dish
Can you use store bought pre soaked salt cod?
Yes, it's actually convenient and saves the several days needed for home soaking. Just taste a small raw piece first to check it isn't too salty before flaking it.
Can you make the fritter batter ahead of time?
Yes, you can make it a few hours ahead and keep it in the fridge, it actually improves after resting. Take it out 15 minutes before frying so it comes back to room temperature.
Does the red bean rice freeze well?
Yes, it freezes very well in an airtight container for up to 2 months. Thaw it in the fridge, then reheat it in a saucepan with a splash of water.
What oil should you use to fry the fritters?
A neutral oil that handles heat well, like sunflower or peanut oil, works best. Avoid olive oil for frying, it smokes too quickly at high heat.
How long does it take to make salt cod fritters with red bean rice?
Count 55 min in total, prep and cooking included. The recipe is rated “medium”.
How many calories are in salt cod fritters with red bean rice?
About 690 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 salt cod fritters with red bean rice cost?
About €3.10 per serving, or €12.40 for 4 people, based on average supermarket prices.
What allergens does this recipe contain?
This recipe contains fish, gluten, eggs. Always check the labels of the products you buy.
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