Portuguese Cod Balls (Bolinhos de Bacalhao) (GF)

Recipe makes 24 portions

Prep Time: 45mins (plus 24hrs of pre-soaking cod)

Cook Time: 40mins

myWW Blue and Purple plans 1= 1SP, 2= 2SP, Green Plan 1=1SP, 2= 3SP

My Fitness Pal - Cal: 107, Fat: 1g, Carbs: 13g, Protein: 11g

These delicious little morsels are a very traditional Portuguese recipe. They are supposed to be deep fried but to keep light I baked them instead and they taste just as good. 

For anyone not familiar with dried, salted cod this is a very typical protein source for Portuguese families and we have many national dishes made with salted cod. 

You can find dried, salted cod at the grocery store already deboned which is a plus and time saver. Salted cod needs to be soaked in water for at least 24hrs, changing the water a few times in order to get rid of the majority of the salt. For this recipe you want to shred the cod after its cooked. 

Ingredients:
11-12oz (300gm) of dried, salted cod
3 cups boiled, mashed potatoes, approx 5-6 medium potatoes
1 green onion finely diced
1 tsp minced garlic
2 tbsp finely chopped, fresh parsley
1 tsp of Portuguese Hot Pimento paste (optional)
3 eggs
1 tbsp flour (I use Gluten free)

1. Peel and cube potatoes, put in bottom of a med-large pot, put the salted cod (having already been soaked for 24hrs) on top of the potatoes. Do not add salt to this recipe as the fish will still have salt and this will be absorbed by the potatoes. Fill pot with water just till it covers the cod. Bring to a boil, then simmer until potatoes are cooked. Drain water completely. 

2. Remove cod from the pan and put in a bowl with cold water so that it is easier to handle.

3. Preheat oven to 400 and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.  

4. In a separate mixing bowl mash potatoes, and add the rest of the ingredients above except for cod fish and flour. 5. Using your fingers shred the cod fish. 

6. Mix together the potatoe mixture. And then add the shredded cod fish. You might find the mixture a bit wet, if this is the case add in the tablespoon of flour. You should be able to form an egg shaped ball in your hands. You could also use 2 soup spoons to do this but I've never really gotten the hang of doing it that way.

7. Bake for 20 mins, turn the cod balls, and return to oven to bake for an additional 20mins. 
8. Enjoy hot or cold