Salt Cod Macaroni Bake

Total Time: 3 hrs 52 mins Preparation Time: 3 hrs 20 mins Cook Time: 32 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 4
• 300 g salt cod fish
• 350 g macaroni
• 40 g butter
• 4 garlic cloves
• 6 sprigs thyme
• 50 g flour
• 800 ml milk
• 1 tablespoon mustard
• 2 pinches nutmeg
• 50 g parmesan cheese
• 40 g breadcrumbs
• 3 pinches oregano
• oil

Recipe

• 1 run the salt cod under cold water for about 10 minutes, then soak it in more cold water for at least a few hours (changing the water a few times), or overnight in a spacious container if that suits you better. if your cod is very stiff, it may need more help: after soaking, place in a pan of cold water and bring to a light simmer. set aside and cool.
• 2 preheat the oven to 200c/gas 6.
• 3 cook the macaroni al dente, according to the instructions on the packet, then drain and cool under cold water. oil lightly to prevent it sticking.
• 4 over a low-medium heat, melt the butter in a large saucepan and fry the garlic and thyme leaves for a couple of minutes before stirring in the flour. add a little milk and stir well. keep gradually adding the milk and turn the heat up a bit. bring the smooth sauce up to a bubble, then turn it off and stir in the mustard and nutmeg.
• 5 pick out and discard any bones and skin from the salt cod.
• 6 now mix the salt cod and macaroni into the sauce until well combined. season, mostly with pepper (easy on the salt). check the consistency of the dish - it needs to be quite wet, as the macaroni will continue absorbing in the oven, so add a splash more milk if necessary.
• 7 transfer to an ovenproof dish, sprinkle the top with the parmesan, breadcrumbs and oregano and drizzle with olive oil. bake for 30-40 minutes until golden on top and bubbling round the edges.