Romanian-Themed Christmas Eve Supper: Fasole Batuta (Mashed White Beans) and Bacalao (Salt Cod)
My mom did 99% of the cooking at our house. However, one dish that my dad could, and did make, twice a year, was the white beans that were featured in this menu. I've not been able to find it in any of my google searches of Romanian dishes so I wonder if the pairing of mashed white beans (Great Northern, navy, or cannellini) and soaked salt cod was unique to our family.
Pieces of dry, salted cod would be soaked overnight in several changes of cold water, place in the bottom of a baking dish and then the pureed cooked and seasoned beans would be layered on top. The dish would be baked at 350 deg F for about half an hour, and then my dad would pour 2-3 tablespoons of oil flavoured with fried onions and paprika over the top and serve large spoonfuls to each of us. A white bean and noodle soup, made with the bean cooking liquid and a cup or so of mashed beans, would precede the beans and cod.
I decided to break up the pairing and instead serve 3 separate dishes: the soup mentioned above, a mashed white bean dip/spread and salt cod cakes. And because I thought I might still be hungry, I made a quick pasta dish with jarred sauce and a seafood medley.
Appetizers/Bread
Fasole batuta cu ceapa caramelizata (Mashed White Beans with Caramelized Onions)
I made the rolls from a recipe posted on a FB bread baking group I belong to.
Salted Cod Cakes
Soup
White bean and noodle soup
Main/Pasta
Florentine Seafood Medley over Fettuccine
Memorial plate ... buns and dried Romanian sausage
Waiting for Mos Craciun (Santa Claus)
Pieces of dry, salted cod would be soaked overnight in several changes of cold water, place in the bottom of a baking dish and then the pureed cooked and seasoned beans would be layered on top. The dish would be baked at 350 deg F for about half an hour, and then my dad would pour 2-3 tablespoons of oil flavoured with fried onions and paprika over the top and serve large spoonfuls to each of us. A white bean and noodle soup, made with the bean cooking liquid and a cup or so of mashed beans, would precede the beans and cod.
I decided to break up the pairing and instead serve 3 separate dishes: the soup mentioned above, a mashed white bean dip/spread and salt cod cakes. And because I thought I might still be hungry, I made a quick pasta dish with jarred sauce and a seafood medley.
Appetizers/Bread
Fasole batuta cu ceapa caramelizata (Mashed White Beans with Caramelized Onions)
I made the rolls from a recipe posted on a FB bread baking group I belong to.
Salted Cod Cakes
Soup
White bean and noodle soup
Main/Pasta
Florentine Seafood Medley over Fettuccine
Memorial plate ... buns and dried Romanian sausage
Waiting for Mos Craciun (Santa Claus)