Season 12 - Lunch / S12L26
Bacalaitos with Cilantro Garlic Sauce
Story
When Don Luis was just a curious niño, he would watch his mamá stand by the hot caldero, spooning golden rounds into bubbling oil while humming to her favorite salsa tunes 🎶. The crispy scent of codfish would drift through the house like a parade, and Don Luis knew—bacalaitos day had arrived. Years later, with his jean-and-leather apron proudly worn and his whippet curled up by the stove, Don Luis put a little twist on the family classic. He added a cilantro garlic dipping sauce—fresh, tangy, and bold—like a Caribbean breeze in your mouth 🌬️🌴. It was a hit across all three generations in his home. Now, he’s passing it on to yours.
Ingredients
- Bacalaitos:
- 8 oz salted codfish (bacalao), soaked overnight and shredded 🐟
- 1 cup all-purpose flour 🌾
- 0.5 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder 🧄
- 1 tsp onion powder 🧅
- 0.5 tsp ground black pepper
- 1 ½ cups cold water 💧
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro 🌿
- Oil for frying (vegetable or canola) 🍳
- Cilantro Garlic Sauce:
- 1 cup fresh cilantro leaves 🌿
- 2 garlic cloves 🧄
- 0.5 cup mayo
- 1 tbsp lime juice 🍋
- Salt to taste 🧂
Instructions
- 1Make the Bacalaitos:
- 2Soak the codfish overnight in water to remove excess salt. Boil for 10 minutes the next day, drain, cool, and shred.
- 3In a large bowl, mix flour, baking powder, garlic powder, onion powder, pepper, and chopped cilantro.
- 4Slowly stir in water until a smooth, pancake-like batter forms. Add shredded codfish and mix well.
- 5Heat ½ inch of oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
- 6Drop spoonfuls of batter into the hot oil and flatten slightly. Fry until golden and crispy on both sides, about 2–3 minutes per side.
- 7Place on paper towels to drain excess oil.
- 8Make the Cilantro Garlic Sauce:
- 9In a blender, combine cilantro, garlic, mayo, lime juice, and salt.
- 10Blend until smooth and creamy. Chill until ready to serve.
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 →