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Fish, South and mountains

Salt cod with chickpeas Provençal style

Salt cod with chickpeas Provençal style is a simmered dish for 4 people, ready in 45 minutes, rated easy, for about €3.80 per person. The soaked salt cod cooks gently on a bed of chickpeas and tomatoes, with spinach stirred in at the end. Success depends on soaking the cod properly ahead of time.

Soaked salt cod simmered with chickpeas, spinach and tomato, a simple dish from the South of France.

Salt cod with chickpeas Provençal style
Total time
45 min
Difficulty
Easy
Cost per person
€3.80
Calories per person
610 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach
Season
Winter, Fall

Salt cod with chickpeas Provençal style pairs flaky, soaked fish with the creamy texture of chickpeas mashed into the tomato sauce. Herbes de Provence and garlic give it that Southern French aroma that fills the kitchen as it simmers, with no hard to find spices involved.

It's a weeknight dish that breaks from plain pan fried fish, as long as you remember to soak the cod the day before. It works well for a cold winter dinner when you want something warm and filling, and it also suits a relaxed weekend meal for adults.

The ingredients

4 people

Fish counter

  • Salt cod, soaked 700 g

Pantry

  • Canned chickpeasoften in the pantry 800 g
  • Crushed tomatoesoften in the pantry 400 g
  • Herbes de Provenceoften in the pantry 1 tsp
  • Olive oiloften in the pantry 3 tbsp
  • Pepperoften in the pantry 1 pinch

Fruits and vegetables

  • Fresh spinach 300 g
  • Onion 1
  • Garlic 3 cloves

Allergens Fish

The step by step recipe

  1. Sauté the onion and garlic in the olive oil until golden. 5 min

    A well browned onion adds sweetness.

  2. Add the tomatoes and herbes de Provence and let simmer. 10 min

    Skip the salt, the cod will bring enough.

  3. Add the rinsed chickpeas and let them heat through. 10 min

    Mash a few chickpeas to thicken the sauce.

  4. Lay the cod pieces on top of the chickpeas, cover and cook gently. 10 min

    It's done when it flakes easily with a fork.

  5. Add the spinach, let it wilt for 2 minutes and serve. 2 min

    Spinach wilts fast, don't overcook it.

Our tips to get it right

  • Pick a thick piece of salt cod rather than thin fillets, it holds together better in chunks during cooking.
  • Taste the sauce before adding any salt, soaked cod usually leaves enough salt for the whole dish.
  • If the sauce looks too thin at the end, let it simmer uncovered a few more minutes before adding the spinach.

The variations

  • Swap the salt cod for fresh cod if you don't have time to soak it, just shorten the fish cooking time slightly.
  • For a vegetarian version, skip the cod and double the chickpeas, finishing with a squeeze of lemon to brighten the dish.
  • For a quicker version, buy salt cod already soaked from the fishmonger, saving yourself the 24 hour prep.

What to serve it with

  • Plain white rice
  • Grilled country bread
  • A glass of dry white wine

Storage

This dish keeps for 2 days in the fridge in a sealed container. It freezes well once cooled, ideally without the spinach, which you can add fresh when reheating. Reheat gently in a pot, adding a splash of water if the sauce has thickened.

Questions about this dish

Can you use salt cod that's already been soaked?

Yes, and it's actually quicker and simpler. Ask your fishmonger for pre soaked salt cod so you can cook the dish without waiting 24 hours.

Can dried chickpeas replace canned chickpeas?

Yes, as long as you soak and cook them ahead until tender. Use about 250g of dried chickpeas to replace the 800g of canned ones.

Can you make this dish ahead of time?

You can prepare the tomato and chickpea base the day before and keep it in the fridge. Add the cod and spinach when reheating so they stay properly cooked without drying out.

How do you know when the salt cod is soaked enough?

Taste a small raw piece after soaking, it shouldn't taste sharp or overly salty. If it's still too salty, soak it a few more hours, changing the water.

How long does it take to make a salt cod with chickpeas Provençal style?

Count 45 min in total, prep and cooking included. The recipe is rated “easy”.

How many calories are in a salt cod with chickpeas Provençal style?

About 610 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 salt cod with chickpeas Provençal style cost?

About €3.80 per serving, or €15.20 for 4 people, based on average supermarket prices.

What allergens does this recipe contain?

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

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