To Dress Cod Fish
Origin: Tidewater Virginia
Source: Mary Randolph, 1824
Ingredients
- Cod fish
- equal quantity Irish potatoes or parsnips
- equal quantity Onions
- Butter
- Nutmeg
- Pepper
- Salt
- a little Brandy or wine
- Cream or thickened milk
- Paste
Instructions
- Boil the cod fish until tender and pick the flesh from the bones. Prepare an equal quantity each of boiled Irish potatoes (or parsnips) and boiled onions, chopped fine. Combine the fish, potatoes, and onions in a mortar with melted butter, grated nutmeg, pepper, and salt, along with a little brandy or wine. Rub together until well mixed. If the mixture is too stiff, liquify it with cream or thickened milk. Line the bottom of a baking dish with paste, pour in the fish mixture, and bake until set. For variation, the mixture may be baked in the form of patties.