Bricco: Baccala in umido alla Livornese
2 lbs. salt cod
1 tbs. raisins, soaked in lukewarm water for ½ hour
1/2 lb. onion, chopped
3 cups olive oil
4 anchovy fillets
1 tbs. pine nuts
1 tbs. capers
1 tbs. fresh parsley
1lb. peeled, seeded chopped tomatoes
1/2 cup pitted black Gaeta olives
The baccala for this dish should be Mediterranean - thick fillets on the bone with skin on. Soften the salt cod by soaking it in fresh water for three days. Change the water at intervals of 6-8 hrs.
Once the baccala is soft and the salt rinsed out of it, cut the fillet into 2 inch chunks. Lightly dust each piece with flour and fry in the olive oil. Use a heavy pot and be sure the oil is very hot. As pieces brown, remove them from the oil, and drain on paper towels. Keep them warm by tenting with aluminum foil.
Saute the onions in a separate skillet with 1 tbs. oil. When tender but not brown, add the anchovies, capers, olives and tomatoes and let the sauce simmer gently for 20 min uncovered over a low heat.
Toss the fried baccala with the sauce, sprinkle the raisins and pine nuts on top, and bake in a casserole dish for one hour @ 375 degrees.
Occasionally baste the top of the cod with its cooking liquids. If it appears dry, add a few tablespoons of hot water.
To serve, add the chopped parsley and drizzle a touch of extra virgin olive oil over the top.
Buon appetito