How to make Bacalaitos Fritos - Codfish Fritters - Video
By samiaali
A Little History
I could not write this Hubpage without giving you this little bit of information along with it.
Many people, including myself, purchase little packages of "bacalao" in the supermarket, as opposed to buying the pieces of bacalao from a fish market. One of the differences is that the bacalao from the fish market are salted, dried pieces of cod fish, while the packaged ones are always refrigerated and are not really dry, but moist. The packaged bacalao is also much cheaper than the one from the fish market. Another difference is that the packaged bacalao shreds much easier than the fish market version. So what's the story you say?
The story is that the packaged bacalao if not really bacalao at all. It is actually pollock, a fish generally considered a whitefish which is similar to cod fish and is used as an alternative, a substitute, for real bacalao. As you can see from the pictures on the right, the front of the package says, "Salted Alaskan Bacalao Fillets", but in the ingredients on the back of the package it says, 'Alaskan Pollock'.
As I mentioned in my Hubpage containing the Bacalao Guisado recipe, bacalao has been over-fished, as has haddock, and is therefore quite expensive now. This, I can tell you, is true. A piece of bacalao from the fish market is pretty expensive, whereas you can buy a package of bacalao (salted, dried pollock) for about $5.00.
Either way, the packaged product works very well for recipes. There are many people, in fact, who are accustomed to the packaged bacalao and then find the real bacalao to be much harder. I have used both and like both. Just thought you'd like to know!
Bacalao Frito
Bacalaitos Fritos
These little Bacalaitos Fritos are so good. I don't make them everyday because they are fried, but I do make them on all holidays and other special occasions because everyone at my house loves them so much.
This is my warning to you - DO NOT, under any circumstances, let anyone in the kitchen while you are making them. if you do there won't be any left on the plate by the time you finish frying them!
Following are the ingredients needed. My videos will demonstrate how to do it:
STEP #1 - SOAK THE BACALAO
1 lb. dried salted cod fish
Cold water
STEP #2 - PREPARE THE BATTER
3 cups all purpose flour
4 cups cold water
Desalted, cut bacalao
8 large garlic cloves, crushed OR sliced very thin
1 tsp. oregano
1/4 tsp. black pepper
1/4 tsp. baking powder (OPTIONAL)*
STEP #3 - FRYING THE BACALAO FRITOS
1-1/2 inches canola or vegetable oil
NOTE: You do NOT have to add baking powder - it is optional. The baking powder is favored by some because it makes the bacalaos rise and they come out puffier. In this recipe, I add it only to show that you can use it. I prefer not to use it because I like my bacalao fritos flatter, as I find them to be much better that way. You will have to decide which way you prefer them also.
Enjoy! Buen Provecho!
Comments
Hahahaha - I will be sending you some real soon. But it will be the raw one and you will have to cook it! LOL
Hey Samia:
I use this exact packaging of (what I thought to be) bacalao. Your facts on it actually being pollock is interesting....who knew? :0) Nonetheless, it's very tasty and easy to flake. I actually have some for lunch today, since I made a big pot of this with some white rice. Yum, Yum!!!
Your bacalaitos recipe sounds very yummy. Can't wait to try it out. Hope they turn out as good as yours. If not, I'm putting in my bid, just like the previous poster, for you to send me some as well. Ha, Ha, Ha, Ha.
This looks so delicious. thanks for the recipe! I can't wait to try it.
Hey Angie, Thank you so much for your comment. I'll bet you make it good! Yes, those bacalaitos got eaten in record time! You may have to come to my house to eat them!:)
Thank you Liz. You'll have to let me know how they turn out!
They look so good. Let me know when you make the next batch so I can get some of those tasty treats!
Thank you Willie. You will be the first to know! :)
This tasty gem will certainly see its way onto our dinner table this Saturday! With a house filled with hungry Marines that have worked-up an appetite after a week of The Basic School (BTS) I know this will be devoured in minutes! I better take your advice and not let them in the kitchen while cooking!!! As I fill their tummies with this yummy treat – I’ll share a bit of its history from your page! I remember our oldest son calling these “Puerto Rican Pancakes” when he was a little guy!!! Keep writing!
Puerto Rican Pancakes! I love that! I'm glad you like the recipes. It is very simple but very, very good! Thanks for reading Judy.
I watch what I eat too but this sounds like one of the things I may try. I go off for my battered fish and chicken cubes but I have been thinking next time I am going to try frying them in butter spray, I think it might work, maybe it would on these too, you think? Would take more time to make sure they are done or maybe once they get solid they could be finished off baking?
Hi Pollyannalana, Yes, it might work. If it does they will be much healthier. It's certainly worth trying because they are so good. Thanks for your comment!
I love these for breakfast! Guess what I'm having for dinner??
They're so good, aren't they! What are you having for dinner? Must be something good!
You are so right.i have made these for Dia De San Juan celebrations for years and as soon as I take them out of the oil, if anyone else is in the kitchen, they are gone. I have doled them out like prizes after a while. I also like to use a little egg in the batter as well as a bit of whole milk. A bit of yeast helps as well...not too much. un poquitito. Buen provecho!
Hi tomas, Thank you for stopping by to read and comment. I can see that you know exactly what I'm talking about when it comes to 'not' letting people in the kitchen while you are making this little babies! They are just too good to resist. I have not tried them with yeast but I have made them with baking powder and they are good like that as well. Buen provecho to you too! :)
Yum! Looks sooo delicious.
Hey Liz, They are sooooo good! Thanks for coming by to read! :)
Hello samiaali! I lost my Mother just over 7 months ago and have been cooking for and living with my Dad since. My two favorite meals for her to make was Pernil as well as Bacalaitos Fritos (w/tostones)! I haven't challenged myself to making the bacalaitos, but am going to tomorrow night. Mom always added a tiny bit of finely dices onion and cilantro. Thanks for making and posting this video. Boricua Food Rocks! ;)
Hello Tina, I am truly sorry for your tremendous loss, but I am glad to hear that you have your Dad. I'm sure your mother was a great cook because adding onion and cilantro to the bacalaitos fritos sounds like a wonderful idea. I think you should definitely make the bacalao fritos and I'll bet they come out great! I'm so glad that you liked my video. I agree - Boricua Food Rocks! :)
Thank you for this recipe on fried fritters, they came out so great!!
Hi Jessica Ramos, I am so glad to hear that! Thank you for trying them and letting me know! :)
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mini 22 months ago
Dear Samiaali,
My mouth is watering right now.I haven't had Bacalaitos in a very long time. Send me some.