Baccalà mantecatoWhipped salt cod
No cicchetti bar in Venice is without a bowl of baccalà mantecato: dried salt cod soaked, poached and beaten with olive oil until it turns pale, fluffy and spreadable, then piled on squares of grilled polenta or toasted bread to eat standing at the counter with a glass of something. It is mild, creamy and gently garlicky, despite containing no cream at all. Venetians traditionally use stockfish (air-dried cod), which is hard to find elsewhere, so this version uses salted cod, which is easier to buy and behaves the same way. The cod needs two days of soaking in the fridge, so start early. Chef's tip: beat the oil in a thin trickle, the way you would make mayonnaise; it is the slow addition that gives the light, creamy texture.













































































