Pericana Recipe: Traditional Spanish Pepper and Cod Starter 2026

Pericana is a bold, rustic starter from Alcoy in Alicante, built on just a handful of pantry staples: garlic, olive oil, dried red peppers and salt cod. The combination is smoky, savory and deeply satisfying, and it comes together in about fifteen minutes.

Traditionally the mixture is made with capellanes, a small salted fish typical of the region that is hard to find elsewhere, so salt cod is the practical and equally delicious substitute used here. Any mild dried red pepper works well, whether that is a dehydrated morrón or the choricero peppers and ñoras sold in most supermarkets.

Serve it piled onto slices of toasted bread and watch it disappear. It is a bite full of tradition and flavor that is perfect for surprising guests at the start of a meal.

Ingredients for Pericana

This makes enough pericana to serve 4 people as a starter.

• 2 garlic cloves
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 6 dried red peppers
• 75 g dry salted cod
• Salt (optional)

How to Make Pericana Step by Step

1. Fry the garlic

Finely chop the 2 garlic cloves and fry them gently in a pan with 1 teaspoon of the olive oil. Remove the garlic and set it aside.

2. Fry the dried peppers

In the same pan, add the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil and, once hot, fry the 6 dried red peppers, taking care that they do not burn. They should stay crunchy without scorching.

3. Cook and flake the cod

While the peppers cool, cook the 75 g of cod on a griddle and flake it into small pieces.

4. Tear the peppers by hand

Cut or tear the fried peppers into pieces with your hands, keeping the texture rustic.

5. Mix everything together

Put the cooked garlic, the chopped peppers and the cod flakes in a bowl. Taste for salt and add more only if needed, since some salt cod is salty enough on its own. Mix well, and if the pericana looks a little dry, stir in a splash more olive oil.

6. Serve with toasts

Serve the pericana accompanied by slices of toasted bread for spreading.

Tips for the Best Pericana

Choose the right peppers

Use any mild dried red pepper you can find, such as a dehydrated morrón, choricero peppers or ñoras. Avoid spicy varieties so the smoky sweetness of the peppers comes through.

Watch the heat

Fry the peppers carefully so they turn crunchy without burning, since burnt peppers turn bitter. Keep the oil at a moderate temperature and lift them out as soon as they darken.

Adjust the salt and oil

Salt cod varies in saltiness, so taste the mixture before adding any salt. If the pericana seems dry, loosen it with a little extra olive oil for a spreadable texture.

30 Top Recipes I Enjoy Cooking at Home

Like a lot of home cooks, I like having a balanced lineup ready to go: simple comfort dishes, well-known international plates, and desserts that make everyone happy.

On nights when I want something rich and indulgent, my picks tend to be this La Viña Molten Cheesecake recipe, this elegant Original French Crème Brûlée recipe, or a decadent Chocolate Mousse Cake recipe. And whenever something fruity and soothing sounds good, this classic French Tarte Tatin recipe is the one I keep coming back to.

For quick breakfasts and lighter plates, these fluffy Oatmeal and Banana Pancakes recipe are a regular in my rotation, along with a satisfying Stuffed Sweet Potato recipe and these fresh Eggs Stuffed with Avocado and Salmon recipe. And for a gluten-free staple to keep in the pantry, this simple Gluten-Free Rice Flour recipe is one I like to prepare.

When tapas and Mediterranean flavors are calling, I move between this bold Basque Tuna with Tomato recipe, crispy Patatas Bravas Air Fryer recipe, creamy Tirokafteri Greek Dip Sauce recipe, and refreshing Burrata Salad with Tomato and Pesto recipe. This crisp Italian Vitello Tonnato recipe is also a favorite of mine to serve when the occasion calls for something a bit more special.

For filling lunches and cozy dinners, these are the ones I always point people toward: this comforting Meatballs in Spanish Sauce recipe, traditional Meatballs in Almond Sauce recipe, rich Italian Bolognese Sauce recipe, and creamy Chicken Croquettes in Thermomix recipe. And if I'm after something even heartier, I'll bake this Greek Pastitsio Pie recipe, a rustic Potatoes and Squid Stew recipe, or the ultra-comforting French Boeuf Bourguignon recipe.

Street food and party-style plates are another mood I cook for often, and that usually means this juicy Homemade Chicken Doner Kebab recipe, crispy Salchipapas recipe, flavorful Mexican Pork Carnitas recipe, or these crunchy Korean Hobak Jeon recipe. These easy Air Fryer Zucchini Rings recipe are another one I like to set out as a no-fuss appetizer or snack.

And when I'm building drinks and a full spread for company, dinner often gets paired with this refreshing Original Cuban Mojito recipe, this bold Long Island Iced Tea recipe, or a pitcher of this fruity Bleeding Spanish Sangria recipe. To fill out the table, this tangy French Remoulade Sauce recipe works great on the side, and this striking Mediterranean Black Rice with Squid recipe makes a beautiful finish.

Additional Tasty Recipes the Whole Family Will Enjoy

After years of testing and fine-tuning recipes in my own kitchen, I've come to believe the strongest dishes rely on three things: simplicity, techniques you can trust, and serious flavor.

The recipes gathered here are the ones I genuinely keep coming back to—whether it's a fast meal just for me or something a little more special for friends and family.

On the dessert side, the rich and silky Orange Chocolate Mousse Recipe is one I reach for when I want something elegant without much effort. Another sweet favorite is the caramelized Trdelnik Slavic Pastry Recipe, inspired by the famous Central European chimney cake. If baking is your thing, knowing how to make syrup for better texture in desserts comes in handy, and my Inverted Sugar Recipe walks through exactly how I do it at home.

When something fresh and unfussy is what I'm after, I usually reach for the classic Italian Caprese Salad Recipe or a perfectly cooked Simple Poached Egg Recipe. For heavier comfort food, I'm quick to suggest the satisfying Meatball Sandwich Recipe, the creamy Russian Stroganoff Beef Recipe, and the quick weeknight go-to One Pot Pasta Recipe.

Traditional dishes from around the world are another thing I love to share, among them the authentic Sorropotún de Bonito Fish Stew Recipe, crispy Chilean Pumpkin Sopaipillas Recipe, and the classic Spanish Cochifrito Segovian Fried Pig Recipe.

Air fryer cooking is a category I turn to often too, since it saves time without sacrificing texture. The ones I make most include Air Fryer Pork Ribs Recipe, Air Fryer Chicken Thighs Recipe, Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes Recipe, Air Fryer Baked Potatoes Recipe, Air Fryer Peppers Recipe, Air Fryer Mixed Sandwich Recipe, Air Fryer Toasted Bread Recipe, and Air Fryer Hard-Boiled Eggs Recipe.

And for those steering clear of wheat, my comforting Gluten-Free Lasagna Recipe shows that a classic baked pasta can still be rich, cheesy, and deeply satisfying without any gluten.

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