The Famous Catalan FRIED FISH Sandwich | Bocata de Bacalao de Mataró

This Catalan fried fish sandwich, known as “bocata de bacalao de Mataró,” is possibly the best fried fish sandwich I have ever tasted. It’s packed with flavors, made with simple everyday ingredients, and done in about 30 minutes. Serve it next to some marinated olives and a couple of ice-cold beers or some chilled club soda for the best moment in your day.

To make this recipe, I used cod fillets I bought frozen and thawed out. You can also use fresh cod here, as well as any other type of firm white fish. Either way, make sure to pat the fish completely dry. This will ensure you end up with that light, crispy texture.

As for the tomato sauce, I used olive oil, onions, garlic, hot smoked paprika, tomato paste, and canned tomato sauce, which is similar to passata. If you don’t have hot smoked paprika, you can substitute it for half the amount of crushed red pepper.

TIPS & TRICKS to Make this Recipe: I used a crunchy baguette to make the sandwiches. Which is what’s typically used in Spain. You can use other types of bread. Just make sure it has a hard shell or lightly toast it. That way it doesn’t fall apart.

Key Ingredients & Cookware I used in this Recipe:
MY COOKWARE
MY CHEF´S KNIFE
EXTRA VIRGIN SPANISH OLIVE OIL 
HOT SMOKED SPANISH PAPRIKA (10% OFF Your Order with Coupon ONAFORK)

If you´re not already subscribed to my youtube channel, become a subscriber and click on the bell icon to be notified everytime I release a new video.

Support Spain on a Fork. Get your Spain on a Fork Apron and other awesome Merchandise here.

Your SUPPORT Helps Spain on a Fork Keep Going

Join Me on Patreon!

Watch the Video Below on How to Make this Catalan Fried Fish Sandwich

Print

The Famous Catalan FRIED FISH Sandwich | Bocata de Bacalao de Mataró

Course Main Course

Cuisine Spanish

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes

Servings 3 Sandwiches

Calories 807 kcal

Author Albert Bevia @ Spain on a Fork

Ingredients

• 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil 45 ml
• 1 medium yellow onion (finely chopped)
• 6 cloves garlic (roughly chopped)
• 2 tbsp tomato paste 34 grams
• 1/2 tsp hot smoked Spanish paprika 1.25 grams
• 1 can tomato sauce (passata) 15 oz / 425 grams
• 1 cup virgin olive oil 240 ml
• 3 cod fillets 7 oz / 200 grams each
• 1/4 cup all purpose flour 30 grams
• 1/4 cup cornstarch 30 grams
• 1 baguette
• sea salt & black pepper
• dash granulated sugar
• chopped parsley for garnish

Instructions

1. Heat a large fry pan with a medium heat and add in 3 tbsp (45 ml) extra virgin olive oil

2. After a couple of minutes, add in the chopped onion and garlic, mix continuously, after 4 minutes and the onions are slightly translucent, make a well in the middle, add in the tomato paste, and mix it for 1 minute, then add in the hot smoked paprika and mix everything together until well mixed, then add in the canned tomato sauce and season with salt, pepper, and a dash of sugar, mix together until well mixed and then lower to a low heat

3. While the tomato sauce is simmering, heat a separate medium-sized fry pan with a medium heat and add in 1 cup (240 ml) virgin olive oil

4. In the meantime, add the cod fillets over some paper towels and pat completely dry, then season with salt & pepper on both sides, and cut each fillet into 4 evenly sized pieces

5. Add the flour and cornstarch into a bowl and whisk together, then coat each piece of fish until well coated, and then shake off any excess flour

6. Once the oil is nice and hot, add in the pieces of fish, cook in two batches to not overcrowd the pan, fry for 6 to 8 minutes or until golden and crispy all around, then transfer over a wire rack

7. Cut the baguette into 5-inch (13 cm) sandwiches and then cut each one in half, but not all the way through

8. Grab the simmering tomato sauce, which should be nice and thick, and add some over the bottom and top slice of the sandwiches, then add in 4 pieces of fried cod per sandwich and top off with chopped parsley, serve at once, enjoy!

Recipe Notes

Get the Spanish Olive Oil I used to make this Recipe

Nutrition Facts

The Famous Catalan FRIED FISH Sandwich | Bocata de Bacalao de Mataró

Amount Per Serving

Calories 807 Calories from Fat 324

% Daily Value*

Fat 36g55%

Saturated Fat 5g31%

Polyunsaturated Fat 5g

Monounsaturated Fat 24g

Cholesterol 85mg28%

Sodium 878mg38%

Potassium 1549mg44%

Carbohydrates 73g24%

Fiber 6g25%

Sugar 12g13%

Protein 47g94%

Vitamin A 1021IU20%

Vitamin C 19mg23%

Calcium 165mg17%

Iron 6mg33%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Disclosure: At Spain on a Fork, we offer affiliate links to help you find what you need to re-create our recipes. If you like what we do, you can support us through our chosen links, which earn us a commission, but you still pay the same price. Learn more here.