Ingredients Seafood Tomato-Braised Baccalà with Olives and Polenta Be the first to rate & review! Simmering soaked salt cod in a tomato sauce filled with peppers, onions, and olives infuses the fish with flavor and leaves it flaky and tender. Sweet and creamy polenta, enriched with lightly tangy mascarpone, sops up the sauce and balances the brightly flavored fish. By Rebecca Wilcomb Updated on December 1, 2019 Print Rate It Share Share Tweet Pin Email Photo: Justin Walker Total Time: 1 hr 45 mins Yield: 6 Ingredients 1 pound baccalà (dried salted cod) 6 cups water 1 tablespoon kosher salt, divided 1 1/2 cups uncooked polenta 1/2 cup mascarpone cheese 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided 2 cups thinly sliced yellow onion 2 tablespoons sliced garlic 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper 1 cup dry white wine 1 (28-ounce) can San Marzano tomatoes, undrained, crushed by hand 2/3 cup pitted whole Gaeta or kalamata olives 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano 1/4 teaspoon black pepper 2 fresh bay leaves 2 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley Lemon wedges, for serving Directions Place baccalà in a large bowl; add cold water to cover, and let soak in refrigerator 48 hours, changing cold water twice a day. Drain baccalà, and cut into 6 pieces (about 3 ounces each). Set aside. Bring 6 cups water and 21/2 teaspoons salt to a boil in a medium saucepan over medium-high. Gradually add polenta, whisking constantly. Return mixture to a boil, whisking constantly. Reduce heat to medium-low, and cook, uncovered, whisking occasionally, until polenta is tender and creamy, 45 minutes to 1 hour. Remove from heat, and whisk in mascarpone until smooth. Cover to keep warm until ready to serve. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium. Add onion, garlic, and red pepper, and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and onion is translucent, about 6 minutes. Add wine, and cook, stirring occasionally, until mostly evaporated, 8 to 10 minutes. Add crushed tomatoes and their juices, olives, oregano, black pepper, bay leaves, and remaining 1/4 cup olive oil. Cook, stirring often, until sauce is slightly thickened, about 8 minutes. Add cod to tomato sauce, and simmer, stirring occasionally, until cod flakes easily when pressed with a fork, 16 to 20 minutes, flipping cod pieces after 10 minutes. Stir in remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt or more to taste. Remove and discard bay leaves. Serve cod and sauce over polenta. Sprinkle with parsley, and serve with lemon wedges. Suggested Pairing Crisp, earthy Pinot Nero. Rate it Print