Puerto Rican FoodYam Dumplings Stuffed with Cod in Sofrito with Sesame Cream and Warm Tomato Salad
An original Puerto Rican-inspired recipe: soft mashed yam dumplings stuffed with cod stewed in sofrito, baked until lightly golden, and served with a light sesame cream and a warm salad of tomato, red onion, and recao.
Ingredients
- 300 g salt cod, soaked and flaked (well escurrido)
- 900 g peeled yam, cubed (for hervir and majar)
- 45 ml olive oil (divided)
- 150 g yellow onion, chopped (divided)
- 80 g cubanelle pepper, chopped
- 40 g sweet peppers, chopped
- 18 g garlic, minced (divided)
- 120 ml tomato sauce
- 35 g stuffed green olives, chopped
- 15 g capers
- 2 g dried oregano (divided)
- 2 g black pepper (divided)
- 30 g butter
- 120 ml milk
- 4 g salt (ajustar with cuidado por the bacalao)
- 24 g cornstarch
- 35 g toasted sesame seeds (for the cream)
- 90 ml warm water (for the cream of ajonjolí)
- 30 ml lemon juice (divided)
- 300 g tomatoes, cut into wedges
- 70 g red onion, sliced
- 12 g culantro, chopped (divided)
Nutrition facts
per serving
Approximate nutritional information. Estimated from the recipe’s ingredients and amounts, using standard reference nutrition values. It may vary with brands, sizes and cooking method. For guidance only; not a substitute for medical or dietary advice.
Allergens
Instructions
- 1
Preheat the oven to 425 °F / 220 °C. Lightly grease a baking tray with 1 tablespoon (15 ml) olive oil.
- 2
Place the yam in a pot with enough water to cover it. Boil over medium-high heat for 20 to 25 minutes, until very tender. Drain well.
- 3
While the yam cooks, heat 1 tablespoon (15 ml) olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Sauté the yellow onion, cubanelle pepper, sweet peppers, and half of the garlic for 4 to 5 minutes.
- 4
Add the flaked cod, tomato sauce, olives, capers, 1/2 teaspoon oregano, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, and 2 tablespoons (30 ml) water. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring, until the filling is moist but not runny. Add 2 tablespoons chopped culantro, stir, and remove from the heat.
- 5
Mash the hot yam with the butter, milk, cornstarch, 1/2 teaspoon oregano, the remaining garlic, 1 tablespoon (15 ml) lemon juice, and the salt. Mix until you get a smooth, moldable dough. Let it rest for 5 minutes so it firms up slightly.
- 6
With lightly moistened hands, divide the yam mixture into 8 portions. Flatten each portion, place 2 to 3 tablespoons of the cod filling in the center, and close it to form large balls or compact ovals.
- 7
Place the stuffed yam dumplings on the prepared tray. Brush or drizzle with the remaining tablespoon of olive oil. Bake for 15 to 18 minutes at 425 °F / 220 °C, until firm and lightly golden.
- 8
While they bake, make the sesame cream by blending the toasted sesame seeds with the warm water and 1 tablespoon (15 ml) lemon juice until you have a thick but pourable sauce. If needed, add 1 to 2 more tablespoons water to adjust the texture.
- 9
For the warm salad, heat a skillet over medium heat with a few drops of olive oil from the tray or a small portion of the same oil. Add the tomatoes and red onion, cook for 2 minutes, turn off the heat, and toss with the remaining chopped culantro and a pinch of black pepper.
- 10
Serve 2 yam dumplings per portion with the sesame cream spooned over or alongside, and the warm tomato and onion salad on the side.
Chef tips
Soak and desalinate the cod ahead of time, and taste it before adding salt to the yam mixture. If the dough feels too wet, add 1 extra tablespoon of cornstarch. Damp hands make shaping much easier and prevent sticking.
Substitutions
You can replace the yam with taro root for a silkier texture. If culantro is unavailable, use a smaller amount of fresh cilantro. The sesame cream can also be made with tahini thinned with water and lemon juice.
What I used to make it
Generic kitchen tools that work for this recipe. You don’t need to buy anything to make it.
Illustrative imageNinja Professional BL610 Blender
Smoothies, sauces and soups
- Smoothies, sauces and soups
- Easy-to-wash jar
- Check the power and jar size
Illustrative imageCosori Pro LE 5 Qt Air Fryer
Browning and baking with little oil
- Browns food with very little oil
- Handy for vegetables, chicken and reheating
- Check the basket capacity
Illustrative imageT-fal Ultimate Hard Anodized 12" Non-Stick Pan
Eggs, omelets and stir-fries
- Eggs and omelets that don’t stick
- Comfortable, sturdy handle
- Use wooden or silicone utensils
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