Season 11 - Lunch / S11L09
Bacalaitos with a Side Salad
Story
Don Luis remembers his grandfather standing by the beachside fryer, letting the wind carry the scent of crispy *bacalaitos* through the salty air. “¡Oye, nene! You hear that?” he’d ask with a grin, pointing at the crackling oil. That sound was pure joy to young Don Luis—a sizzle that meant lunch was almost ready. 🐟🔥 Now in his rustic kitchen, wearing his signature jean-and-leather apron, Don Luis teaches the next generation that sometimes the simplest meals carry the richest stories. Today’s *bacalaitos*—golden, flat, and slightly chewy—are served with a fresh, crunchy salad tossed in lime juice. It’s the perfect combo: crispy meets crisp. 🌿✨
Ingredients
- For the Bacalaitos 🐟
- 1 cup dried salt cod (bacalao), soaked overnight & shredded 🐠
- 1 cup all-purpose flour 🌾
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 garlic clove, finely minced 🧄
- 0.25 cup chopped cilantro 🌿
- 0.25 tsp ground black pepper
- 0.25 tsp annatto or paprika (for color) 🌶️
- 1 1/4 cups water 💧 (adjust for thin batter)
- Oil for frying (vegetable or canola) 🛢️
- For the Side Salad 🥗
- 2 cups chopped romaine lettuce 🥬
- 0.5 cup cherry tomatoes, halved 🍅
- 0.25 red onion, thinly sliced 🧅
- 0.5 cucumber, thinly sliced 🥒
- Juice of 1 lime 🍋
- 1 tbsp olive oil 🫒
- Pinch of salt and pepper 🧂
Instructions
- 1Soak the codfish overnight, changing the water 2–3 times to remove excess salt. Drain and shred finely.
- 2In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, baking powder, minced garlic, pepper, cilantro, and paprika. Add shredded bacalao and stir well.
- 3Gradually add water, stirring to create a thin pancake-like batter. It should be pourable but not too watery.
- 4Heat oil in a frying pan over medium-high heat.
- 5Pour 2–3 tbsp of batter per bacalaíto into hot oil, flattening slightly. Fry until golden and crispy on both sides (about 2–3 minutes per side). Drain on paper towels.
- 6For the salad: toss all ingredients in a bowl, squeeze lime juice, drizzle olive oil, and season to taste.
- 7Plate 2–3 bacalaitos per person with a fresh scoop of salad. Serve warm and enjoy the crunch! 😋
About the narrator
Don Luis · A character for three generations
Don Luis is the brand character and narrator for this catalog: a warm voice for Puerto Rican family recipes tested by the real creator behind the brand. The project carries three generations of flavor and writes each recipe step by step so any kid can follow it.
Read our mission →