Creamy Cod and Leek Potato Gratin

30 mins Prep Time

1 hours 30 mins Cook Time

Written By

Vicky Tran

Salted cod fillets are a great product that often gets overlooked, but just beneath those layers of sometimes harsh and preserving salt is tender and flaky white fish flesh ready to be incorporated into many everyday recipes. The pairing of salt cod and potatoes is not new, and very often found in Portuguese cuisine, think Bacalhau à Brás where potatoes and cod are cooked together with generous amounts of olive oil as well as black olives or even in lesser known French dishes such as Brandade where cooked potatoes are emulsified with potatoes and olive oil for a thick and spreadable dip like dish. In this recipe, reconstituted salt cod is flaked and layered with sweet leeks and starchy potatoes bound by a rich cream sauce, elevating an already unctuous everyday potato gratin.

Ingredients

Creamy Cod and Leek Potato Gratin

1/2 pound salted cod fillets
1 medium leek
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
1 1/2 cups heavy cream
2 cloves garlic, rasped
2 pounds russet potatoes
Kosher salt, as needed
Black pepper, as needed
1/3 cup fresh parsley leaves, chopped

Directions

Creamy Cod and Leek Potato Gratin

8 Steps

Step 1

Place the salted cod fillets in cold water and soak in the fridge for 24 hours, changing the water twice throughout. It may be necessary to soak the cod for 36 hours if they are quite thick. When ready to use, drain and allow to dry on paper towel, then cut into 1 cm thick strips and set aside until ready to assemble.
Step 2

Split the leek in half lengthwise and run under water separating each layer to remove any dirt, dry and then cut into 1/4 inch slices (you should have approximately 4 cups). Heat a saute pan on low heat and melt the butter, add in the sliced leeks as well as a light sprinkle of kosher salt and cook for about 10-12 minutes until the leeks have softened, stirring regularly. Set aside until ready to assemble.
Step 3

In a small sauce pot, heat the heavy cream with the rasped garlic cloves until just warm.
Step 4

Peel and slice the russet potatoes about 2-3 mm thick and get ready to assemble the gratin.
Step 5

In a 2-3 quart casserole dish, layer 1/3 of the sliced potatoes in a scalloped and slightly overlapping pattern and season lightly with kosher salt as well as black pepper. Top the potatoes with an even layer of 1/3 of the sliced cod, using your fingers to gently flake into bite sized piecess. Follow with an even layer of the cooked leeks and then with 1/3 of the warmed cream and garlic mixture. Repeat this process 2 more times (3 layers in total).
Step 6

Cut a piece of parchment paper the same approximate size as the casserole dish, place this right on top of the layered potatoes, then wrap well with aluminium foil and bake in a preheated 350°F oven for 45 minutes.
Step 7

After 45 minutes, remove the foil as well as parchment paper and continue to bake uncovered for another 45 minutes or until the sauce is bubbly, top is golden brown and the potatoes are cooked through.
Step 8

Top with some chopped parsley and allow the potato gratin to set for 15-20 minutes prior to serving to avoid a runny mess.