Baccalà Cooking Class | The Art of Preparing Dried Cod Fish

Hello culinary enthusiasts, welcome to an extraordinary cooking experience dedicated to one of the Mediterranean’s most iconic ingredients, air-dried cod fish. Join us as we explore traditional flavors, time-honored recipes, and the rich culinary heritage of the Adriatic.

Known in Italian as baccalà, air-dried cod has been a cornerstone of Mediterranean cuisine for centuries. Its unique preservation method gives it a distinctive texture and deep flavor, making it a versatile ingredient in many traditional dishes.

The White Cod Tradition

Influenced by centuries of Venetian rule, Istrian cuisine preserves many classic recipes centered around stockfish. One of the most famous is bakalar na bijelo, known in Italian as baccalà mantecato, a creamy cod pate made from air-dried fish that was historically imported to Venice.

This rich and smooth dish is typically served as an appetizer, but in Istria it is also paired with posutice, a traditional diamond-shaped pasta. In this cooking class, you will prepare this beloved combination, often enjoyed during festive occasions such as Christmas Eve, traditionally preceded by a hearty chickpea maneštra.

The Red Cod Stew

To complement the white cod dish, you will also learn how to prepare bakalar na crveno, a traditional red cod stew inspired by Dalmatian cuisine.

This rustic dish combines cod, potatoes, and aromatic ingredients into a comforting Mediterranean stew that highlights the simplicity and depth of coastal cooking traditions.

Hands-On Mediterranean Cooking Experience

During the class, you will work step by step with expert guidance to prepare both white and red cod specialties. You will learn techniques that bring out the best in air-dried cod and understand how this ingredient has shaped regional cuisine across generations.

A Taste of Tradition and Heritage

This experience is more than just a cooking class. It is a journey into the culinary traditions of Istria and Dalmatia, where history, culture, and food come together on every plate.

Join us and discover the timeless flavors of air-dried cod, and take home the skills to recreate these authentic Mediterranean dishes in your own kitchen.