Ingredients
PEPPER SAUCE
1/2 small onion, coarsely chopped
6 scallions, green parts only, coarsely chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 roasted red bell pepper, seeds removed
1 serrano chile, seeded and coarsely chopped
1 teaspoon chopped thyme
1/2 cup packed flat-leaf parsley
1/4 cup boiling water
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
2 tablespoons peanut oil
Salt
FRITTERS
1 pound dried salt cod, rinsed in several changes of cool water and soaked overnight
1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
3 large eggs, lightly beaten
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons ice water
1 medium onion, finely chopped (about 1 cup)
3 garlic cloves, minced (about 1 tablespoon)
1 small red bell pepper, finely chopped
1 small Scotch bonnet chile, seeded and minced
1 tablespoon finely chopped thyme
2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
Vegetable oil, for frying
How to Make It
Step 1 Make the Pepper Sauce
In a food processor, puree the onion, scallions, garlic, bell pepper and serrano with the thyme and parsley. Add the boiling water and pulse to incorporate. Let cool to room temperature. Add the lime juice and peanut oil and season with salt. Pulse briefly, then transfer to a serving bowl.
Step 2 Make the Fritters
Rinse the cod and pat dry. Using your hands, shred it into small pieces, then chop it very finely. In a large bowl, whisk the flour with the baking powder. Add the eggs and ice water and whisk just until combined. Fold in the chopped cod along with the onion, garlic, bell pepper, chile, thyme and black pepper.
Step 3 Make the Fritters
In a large, deep skillet, heat 1 inch of vegetable oil to 375°. Working in batches, scoop tablespoon-size mounds of batter into the hot oil and fry, turning once, until the fritters are deeply golden all over, about 1 1/2 minutes. Drain on paper towels. Transfer to a platter and serve hot, with the pepper sauce.
Make Ahead
The pepper sauce can be prepared and refrigerated for up to 3 days.
PEPPER SAUCE
1/2 small onion, coarsely chopped
6 scallions, green parts only, coarsely chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 roasted red bell pepper, seeds removed
1 serrano chile, seeded and coarsely chopped
1 teaspoon chopped thyme
1/2 cup packed flat-leaf parsley
1/4 cup boiling water
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
2 tablespoons peanut oil
Salt
FRITTERS
1 pound dried salt cod, rinsed in several changes of cool water and soaked overnight
1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
3 large eggs, lightly beaten
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons ice water
1 medium onion, finely chopped (about 1 cup)
3 garlic cloves, minced (about 1 tablespoon)
1 small red bell pepper, finely chopped
1 small Scotch bonnet chile, seeded and minced
1 tablespoon finely chopped thyme
2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
Vegetable oil, for frying
How to Make It
Step 1 Make the Pepper Sauce
In a food processor, puree the onion, scallions, garlic, bell pepper and serrano with the thyme and parsley. Add the boiling water and pulse to incorporate. Let cool to room temperature. Add the lime juice and peanut oil and season with salt. Pulse briefly, then transfer to a serving bowl.
Step 2 Make the Fritters
Rinse the cod and pat dry. Using your hands, shred it into small pieces, then chop it very finely. In a large bowl, whisk the flour with the baking powder. Add the eggs and ice water and whisk just until combined. Fold in the chopped cod along with the onion, garlic, bell pepper, chile, thyme and black pepper.
Step 3 Make the Fritters
In a large, deep skillet, heat 1 inch of vegetable oil to 375°. Working in batches, scoop tablespoon-size mounds of batter into the hot oil and fry, turning once, until the fritters are deeply golden all over, about 1 1/2 minutes. Drain on paper towels. Transfer to a platter and serve hot, with the pepper sauce.
Make Ahead
The pepper sauce can be prepared and refrigerated for up to 3 days.