Some recipes take you straight back home.
Not because they're complicated or reserved for special occasions, but because they remind you that the best meals are often the simplest ones.
This cod and rice recipe is one of those dishes.
Inspired by a classic recipe from southern Spain, it's the kind of meal families have been making for generations with whatever they already had in the pantry. Our version keeps that same spirit, but makes it even easier thanks to one tin of Lata Spiced Codfish in Extra Virgin Olive Oil.
Just a handful of ingredients. About 25 minutes. And a dinner that feels far greater than the effort it takes.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Serves: 2-3
What You'll Need
- 1 tin of Lata Spiced Codfish in Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 1 cup short or medium-grain rice
- 2 cups water
- 2 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon of Pimentón de la Vera (Spanish Smoked Paprika)
How to Make It
-
Start with the oil
Heat a drizzle of olive oil in a pan, then pour in all the oil from the tin. Don't skip this step. The infused olive oil is where the flavor begins. -
Cook the garlic
Add the sliced garlic and cook gently until fragrant and lightly golden. Since the cod already carries a subtle kick, there's no need for extra chili. -
Season simply
Add a pinch of salt, black pepper, and Pimentón de la Vera (Spanish Smoked Paprika). That's all you need. -
Toast the rice and cook
Stir in the rice and cook for about one minute, allowing every grain to absorb the flavors of the oil and spices. Pour in the water and bring everything to a boil. Reduce the heat and let the rice simmer gently until almost cooked through, adding a splash more water if needed.
The trick
When the rice has just 2–3 minutes left to cook, gently fold in the cod. Not before.
Because the rice has been cooking in the cod-infused oil from the very beginning, all you're doing now is warming the fish while keeping every flake beautifully tender.
Why this recipe works
One of the best things about high-quality conservas is that they do half the work for you.
The fish is already perfectly cooked, and the olive oil inside the tin is packed with flavor. Instead of treating it as something to discard, use it as the foundation of the entire dish.
The result is a comforting, deeply flavorful rice that tastes like it's been simmering for hours, even though it comes together in less than half an hour.
Simple ingredients. No waste. Maximum flavor.
More than a recipe
Every time we make this dish, we're reminded of home.
It's not exactly the same recipe our grandmothers made.
But it brings back exactly the same feeling.
That's what we love most about traditional recipes. They evolve. They adapt to modern kitchens and busy evenings, but they never lose the memories they carry with them.
Some recipes fill your plate.
The best ones fill your memories too.
