Brandade de Morue (Fish Pie)

Directions

• Step 1
  Fill a large bowl with fresh water, and put the salt cod in it. Leave the cod in the water for a minimum of 24 hours, changing the water every three hours.
• Step 2
  The next day, fill a medium saucepan with water, add the desalted cod, and bring to a boil over high heat. Cook for 8 minutes. Take the fish out with a slotted spoon and put it on a plate. Fill the saucepan with fresh water again, put the cod back in it, bring it to a boil, and poach for another 8 minutes. Take the fish out with a slotted spoon, and shred it. Take out all the remaining fish bones.
• Step 3
  Fill another medium saucepan with cold water, add potatoes, and bring to a boil over high heat. Cook for 20 minutes.
• Step 4
  In a nonstick skillet, heat the olive oil, and cook the sliced onions slowly over medium heat for 3–5 minutes. Add the garlic. Stir for 2 minutes, making sure the onion and the garlic don’t get brown. Add the shredded cod, and mix it with the onion and the garlic over very low heat.
• Step 5
  Preheat the oven to 350°F.
• Step 6
  Lay potatoes on a plate and mash them with a fork. Add them to the skillet. Mix the cod and the potatoes well, add the milk, and stir again. Pour everything in a casserole dish. Use a wooden spatula to even it all. Season with pepper. Put in the oven and cook for 15 minutes.
• Step 7
  Serve in the casserole.