Ronaldo's Food Bowl Must Is Bacalhau a Bras! Why It's Special?
Image Credit: Bacalhau a Bras, Image Source: depositphotos

If you are a diehard fan of Cristiano Ronaldo, you must know what the legendary footballer loves to eat the most. Ronaldo's love for fish food reaches its epitome when he gets to devour Bacalhau à Brás or Cod à Brás. This exotic-sounding dish is a traditional Portuguese culinary fare. It's made with scrambled eggs, shredded salty cod fish (bacalhau), onions, and thinly chopped fried potatoes. It is typically served with black olives and fresh parsley. What makes it so unique that Ronaldo doesn't leave a chance to taste it?

Origin and name

Despite its popularity, the recipe's history is unknown. Nevertheless, a few believe it is supposed to have originated in Bairro Alto, Lisbon's ancient area. During a trip to Portugal, the name Bacalhau à Brás will almost definitely appear on the menu of many snack bars or restaurants. One of the most prevalent methods to prepare bacalhau is this popular manner. For the curious ones, the name Brás or Braz in English alludes to its inventor, a bar owner in Lisbon's Bairro Alto. Brás has since become a technique that can be used to cook various types of fish and even vegetables. It has an onion, garlic, and potato base that is held together by creamy scrambled eggs.

Bacalhau is the Portuguese name for fish, specifically dried and salted cod. Fresh unsalted cod is known as bacalhau fresco (fresh cod). Let's give it a try to make this iconic dish of Portugal. 

Here is its traditional recipe!

Bacalhau à Brás 

The salted cod Portuguese recipe, Image Source: Shutterctock

Ingredients

  • 500gm potatoes
  • 400gm salted codfish (soaked overnight)
  • 1 large onion 
  • 2 garlic cloves
  • 5 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 5 eggs
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Parsley

 Method

  1. Peel the onion and thinly slice them
  2. Set the oven temperature to 230°C.
  3.  Peel the potatoes and slice them into thin strips, then into sticks of equal size
  4. Rinse the sticks thoroughly, drain, and pat dry with absorbent paper or cloth
  5.  Place them in a bowl and top them with about 3 tablespoons of olive oil
  6. Place the sticks on an oven tray sprayed with olive oil. Check that they don't overlap
  7.  Cook until golden in batches, flipping halfway through
  8. Place the cod in a pan, pour boiling water and keep the heat on a high flame
  9. Cook for around 8 minutes
  10. Take it out from the flame, drain the water in a bowl and reserve it
  11. Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a big frying pan and set the flame to medium
  12. Fry the onion until it becomes transparent. It should take roughly six minutes. 
  13. Cook for 3 minutes more after adding the garlic and bay leaf.
  14. Manually shred the cod, eliminating any bones or skin
  15. Introduce the cod into the onion mixture, stirring occasionally; cook for 5 minutes.
  16. Pour the eggs into a small bowl and whisk them together
  17.  Incorporate them with the fish mixture
  18.  Cook it on low heat while continually stirring
  19.  The eggs must be cooked while remaining succulent and fluffy. 
  20. Stir in the potatoes and season with black pepper and salt to taste.

Relish it while watching FIFA World Cup 2022!