Bacalaitos con Ajo Sauce

Ingredientes

• para the Bacalaitos:
• 0.5 lb salted codfish (bacalao), soaked overnight y shredded 🐟
• 1 cup all-purpose flour 🌾
• 1 tsp baking powder 🥄
• 0.5 tsp pimienta negra
• 0.5 tsp paprika (opcional) 🌶️
• 0.25 tsp ajo en polvo 🧄
• 0.25 tsp adobo seasoning (o sal to taste) 🧂
• 1 1/4 cups cold water 🧊
• 2 tbsp picado cilantro 🌿
• 0.25 cup finamente picado cebolla 🧅
• Oil para frying (canola o vegetable)
• para the ajo Dipping Sauce:
• 0.5 cup mayo 🍶
• 2 ajo cloves, minced 🧄
• 1 tbsp lima juice 🍋
• sal y pepper to taste
• opcional: a pinch de paprika ahumada o hot sauce para flair 🔥

Instrucciones

1. 1Prep the Cod:
2. 2Soak the cod overnight in cold water, changing the water at least twice. Drain, shred, y remove any bones o skin.
3. 3Mix the Batter:
4. 4In a bowl, combine flour, baking powder, ajo en polvo, paprika, adobo, y pimienta negra. Gradually bate in the cold water until smooth. Fold in the shredded cod, cilantro, y picado cebolla. Batter should be a pourable consistency—like thick pancake batter.
5. 5calienta the Oil:
6. 6In a deep sartén, calienta about 1 inch de oil over mediano-high calienta until hot (around 350°F/175°C).
7. 7Fry the Bacalaitos:
8. 8Spoon batter into the hot oil (about 2 tbsp per fritter). Let them spread naturally. Fry 2–3 minutes per side until golden y crispy. Don’t overcrowd the pan!
9. 9Drain:
10. 10Remove the bacalaitos y place them on paper towels to drain excess oil.
11. 11Make the ajo Sauce:
12. 12In a pequeño bowl, mix mayo, minced ajo, lima juice, sal, y pepper. Stir until creamy. Chill until serving.
13. 13sirve Hot:
14. 14sirve your bacalaitos con a generous drizzle o dip de ajo sauce. Add a lima wedge on the side para that perfect zing 🍋🎯.