Salada de Grão com Bacalhau (Chickpea and Salt Cod Salad)
In short: Chickpeas, flaked salt cod, red onion and hard-boiled eggs dressed with olive oil, vinegar, garlic and fresh coriander. It takes about 50 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 25 min
- Cook
- 25 min
- Resting
- 24 h 30 min
- Total
- 50 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 440 kcal
Salada de grão com bacalhau is a cold plate that Portuguese families make in summer and on meatless days. Chickpeas and flaked salt cod are tossed with sliced onion, boiled egg, garlic and plenty of olive oil and vinegar. It sits for half an hour so the chickpeas absorb the dressing. It is filling enough for a main course, and it tastes best at room temperature with good bread.
Instructions
- Soak the cod in cold water in the fridge for 24 hours, changing the water 3 or 4 times. Taste a flake: it should be pleasantly salty, not harsh.
- Put the cod in a pot, cover with cold water and bring to a bare simmer. Switch off the heat, cover and leave for 10 minutes. Drain, remove the skin and bones and flake into large pieces.
- Boil the eggs for 10 minutes in a separate pot, cool in cold water, peel and cut into quarters.
- Soak the sliced onion in cold water for 10 minutes, then drain. Warm the chickpeas for a minute in a pan or the microwave, so they absorb the dressing better.
- Whisk the olive oil, vinegar, garlic and black pepper in a large bowl. Add the chickpeas, cod and onion and toss gently.
- Fold in the herbs and taste, adding salt only if needed. Let the salad stand for 30 minutes, then top with the eggs and olives and serve at room temperature.
Tips
- Dress the salad while the chickpeas are still slightly warm so they take up the oil and vinegar.
- Soaking the sliced onion in cold water removes the harsh bite without losing the crunch.
Questions and answers
Can I make salada de grão com bacalhau ahead of time?
Yes. It keeps for 2 days in the fridge and tastes better after a few hours. Bring it to room temperature and add the eggs and olives shortly before serving.
Can I use fresh cod instead of salt cod?
Yes, though the flavor will be milder. Poach the fresh fish, flake it and add a little extra salt to the dressing.
Can I use dried chickpeas?
Yes. Soak 200 g (1 cup) overnight, then simmer for 1 to 1 1/2 hours until tender. They taste better than canned and cost less.
How long does it take to make Salada de Grão com Bacalhau (Chickpea and Salt Cod Salad)?
About 50 min in total: 25 min of preparation and 25 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Salada de Grão com Bacalhau (Chickpea and Salt Cod Salad)?
About 440 kcal per serving, with 32 g of protein, 27 g of carbohydrates and 21 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 440 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 32 g |
| Carbohydrates | 27 g |
| Fat | 21 g |
| Fiber | 8 g |
| Sugar | 3 g |
| Sodium | 950 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
