How to make Pil Pil Sauce?: Easy and delicious recipe
Cod al pil pil is one of the star delicacies of the Basque cuisine, but did you know that this delicious dish used to be related to poverty and famine? Quite so! Its origin dates back to 19th century, when in the middle of the Carlist war a merchant from Bilbao mistakenly bought large amounts of this fish and began to think about how he could feed the population with the few ingredients that were available at that time to cook it.
Finally, he used Garlic, chilli and extra virgin olive oil, And voila! Without intending it, he created Cod al Pil Pil, one of the simplest and most exquisite recipes to enjoy this nutritious fish. What makes this sauce special? Well, we do not use additional fat sources for its preparation, only the gelatin that is extracted from the cod itself!
At Beloleum we have set out to show you how to make the sauce with pil pil, it is already known that the Recipes with olive oil as the main ingredient They are endless! Do you join us?
Ingredients to make Pil Pil sauce (4 people)
- 4 pieces of desalted cod
- 4 cloves of garlic
- a chilli
- 300 ml Arbequina variety Arbequina Beloleum Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Cod recipe with pil-pil by Karlos Arguiñano
To make this dish we have been inspired by one of the kings of the kitchen of our country, also born in the Basque Country. The Pil Pil Sauce Recipe Karlos Arguiñano It has no substitute! So take the apron out, and get to work!
- First, put the extra virgin olive oil in a saucepan. Add the garlic cloves until golden brown. Remove the garlic and add the chopped chilli pepper, sauté it a little and reserve.
- In the same casserole of the garlic and chilli, cook the pieces of cod with the skin up first. Then, do the same with skin down, until they are well fried on both sides. Reserve them when they are done.
- Remember to store all the whey in a bowl that the cod loins release. The fish will be ready, but the most important thing is missing: the sauce!
Preparation of the sauce
So, the quid of the matter: how is Pil Pil sauce made in Arguiñano style? You will have to follow these steps:
- Use the same olive oil, but transfer it to a bowl and wait for it to cool down. then Pour some of the tempered oil into a pan next to a bit of the cod serum. with the help of a strainer.
- If you have already added half of the oil, it is time to add the rest of the serum, do not forget to stir well with the strainer to Emulsify the sauce! Finish all the oil by moving the pan until you get a thick consistency. If you prefer, you can make the Pil Pil sauce with a blender.
- Add the cod and let it warm up! Then, plate the fish and cover it with the Pil Pil sauce. Finally, we decorate it with the garlic and pieces of chilli. And ready our cod with pil pil!
Tips when making Pil Pil Sauce
As you can see, the recipe for the Pil Pil sauce is easy, it just requires a little practice for a spectacular result. Also, as experts in liquid gold, we are going to give you a trick on this essential ingredient of your sauce…
Remember that the more oil, the more sauce! In gastronomic societies, it is usual Use clay pots. Moving them well, the oil binds and forms the Pil Pil sauce to perfection, with its characteristic green color.
Pil Pil Sauce without Cod
As you have seen, cod and Pil Pil sauce are inevitably hand in hand. But what if we want to make the Pil Pil sauce without cod? Well, it’s also possible! In Beloleum we do it With garlic, vegetable broth and cornstarch, in addition to our beloved EVOO. A vegan and very tasty option.
In addition, we love to teach you how to take advantage of Pil Pil sauce to accompany all kinds of dishes, from pasta to rice or roasted vegetables. And have you heard of Pil Pil Mushroom Sauce or Shrimp Sauce? The alternatives are very varied!
And it is that the magic of this sauce of Basque origin is in its texture and its preparation, and now you know how to carry it out! If you need a quality olive oil to prepare this recipe and leave your diners speechless, in Beloleum We offer a premium product of high quality, with an unmistakable flavor that will rise even more if the level of your dishes fits. Grub up!
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