Tag Archives: cod

Cod with Chorizo, Greens and Chickpeas

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In this one-pan dinner from Bon Appétit, cod and Spanish chorizo—the dry, cured kind, often sold in a link like salami—showcase why the ingredients make such a great pair.

Chorizo is a highly seasoned chopped or ground pork sausage used in Spanish and Mexican cuisine. Mexican chorizo is made with fresh (raw, uncooked) pork; while the Spanish version, which is used here, is made with garlic and pimentón (Spanish smoked paprika, either sweet or hot), which gives it its deep brick-red color and smoky flavor.

Using rendered chorizo to cook down garlic, tomato paste, and sherry vinegar creates a red-tinged mixture at the bottom of the pan; with water, it becomes a flavorful braising liquid for sturdy greens, then warming canned chickpeas, and finishing your previously seared fish.

Finishing the lean, flaky fish in liquid ensures gentle cooking so you don’t end up with rubbery overdone fish. Crispy chickpeas, made first, in the same pan, add a textural garnish. Add a piece of crusty bread for sopping up all the extra sauce and you have a dish that’s fast enough for a weeknight but elevated enough for company.

For an extra fiery version of this dish, swap in a tablespoon of Calabrian chile paste for one of the two tablespoons of tomato paste (you’ll want to still use a bit of tomato paste to ensure the sauce gets some color).

We made numerous changes including increasing the olive oil, using a larger can of chickpeas, decreasing the amount of flour, and starting with a larger skillet. All of our changes are noted in the recipe below.

Cod with Chorizo, Greens and Chickpeas

  • Servings: 4-6
  • Difficulty: easy
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Ingredients

  • 2 Tbsp. all-purpose flour, for dusting one side of the fish
  • 1–1½ lb. skinless cod fillet, cut into 2–4 pieces, patted dry
  • Kosher salt, freshly ground pepper
  • 4 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 19 oz. can chickpeas, rinsed, divided
  • 4 oz. smoked Spanish chorizo, casing removed if needed, cut into very small pieces
  • 5 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
  • 2 Tbsp. sherry vinegar or red wine vinegar
  • 2 Tbsp. tomato paste
  • ¼ tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
  • 1 bunch kale, ribs and stems removed, leaves torn into large pieces (about 6 cups)
  • 2 Tbsp. unsalted butter

Directions

  1. Place ⅓ cup all-purpose flour in a shallow bowl. Season 1–1½ pounds skinless cod fillet, cut into 2–4 pieces, patted dry, on both sides with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, then press one side into flour to coat and tap off excess.
  2. Heat 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil in a large high-sided skillet over medium-high. Cook ½ cup chickpeas, rinsed, tossing often, until crisp, about 3 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer to a small bowl; season with salt.
  3. Reduce heat to medium. Cook cod, flour side down, in oil left in pan until light golden underneath, about 3 minutes. Transfer to a plate and arrange browned side up.
  4. Cook 4 ounces smoked Spanish chorizo, casing removed if needed, cut into very small pieces, in same pan, stirring often, until oil is red and chorizo is starting to crisp, about 1 minute. Add 5 garlic cloves, thinly sliced, and cook, stirring often, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add 2 tablespoons sherry vinegar, 2 tablespoons tomato paste, and ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes and cook, stirring often, until combined about 1 minute. Add 1 medium bunch kale, ribs and stems removed, leaves torn into large pieces (about 4 cups), and stir to coat, then add 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, remaining chickpeas, a pinch of salt, and 1 cup water. Cook, tossing often, until kale is wilted, about 3 minutes.
  5. Arrange cod, browned side up, in pan; simmer, spooning sauce over, until cooked through, about 3 minutes. Top with crisped chickpeas and season with black pepper.

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Adapted from a recipe by Kendra Vaculin for Bon Appétit

Braised Cod with Peperonata

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What home cook doesn’t want a quick dinner without too much prep, is healthy, and is ready to eat in under an hour? This lovely recipe fits the bill. Nice bright flavors, delicate flaky fish and a bit of punch from the paprika (we used smoked paprika).

Flaky white cod is one of the more widely distributed and moderately priced fish available. Its mild flavor can be used in countless different dishes, but we think it’s at its best when braised with assertive flavorings, like the sweet peppers, thyme, garlic, and paprika of peperonata, a classic Spanish dish.

For this Spanish-style braised cod recipe, we laid down a base of sautéed onion, bell pepper, garlic, and paprika, to which we added tomatoes, fresh thyme, and wine. Once the broth was prepared, we simply nestled the pieces of fish down into the sauce, dropped the heat to low, covered the skillet, and let the fish cook in the moist environment. Within about 10-15 minutes, the fish was cooked through—the result being a tender, moist, and very well seasoned braised cod recipe.

Halibut, snapper, tilapia, bluefish, monkfish, or sea bass fillets are all good substitutions for the cod. If desired, drizzle with extra-virgin olive oil before serving. Smoked paprika (often found in specialty spice markets) is a nice substitution for the paprika here. Serve with soft polenta or crusty bread. Or go low-carb as we did, and just serve the fish and sauce.

Braised Cod with Peperonata

  • Servings: 4
  • Difficulty: easy
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Ingredients

  • 2 Tbsp. olive oil
  • 2 red bell peppers, cored and sliced thin
  • 1 onion, halved and sliced thin
  • 2 tsp. paprika
  • Salt and ground black pepper
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 (14.5-oz.) can diced tomatoes, drained
  • ½ cup dry white wine
  • 1 tsp. minced fresh thyme
  • 4 skinless cod fillets, 1 inch thick
  • 2 Tbsp. coarsely chopped fresh basil leaves
  • 2 tsp. balsamic vinegar or sherry vinegar

Directions

  1. Heat oil in 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Add bell peppers, onion, paprika, and 1/2 teaspoon salt and cook until softened, about 7 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
  2. Stir in tomatoes, wine, thyme, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper, and bring to simmer.
  3. Pat cod dry with paper towels and season with salt and pepper. Nestle cod into pan and spoon sauce over fish. Cover and cook over low heat until fish flakes apart when gently prodded with paring knife, about 10 minutes. (Ours took 15 minutes before it was flaky.)
  4. Transfer fish to individual plates. Stir basil and vinegar into sauce and season with salt and pepper to taste. Spoon sauce over fish and serve.

http://www.lynnandruss.com

Recipe from America’s Test Kitchen

Baked Cod with Lemon and Garlic

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Not only is this one of the best fish recipes, you can make it in no time. Prepared Mediterranean-style with a few spices and a mixture of lemon juice, olive oil and lots of garlic, it bakes in only 15 minutes!

We paired our cod with another dish from Suzy Karadsheh, Mediterranean Chickpea Salad, a union made in heaven. You bet we’ll be making both of these real soon….

Baked Cod with Lemon and Garlic

  • Servings: 4
  • Difficulty: easy
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Ingredients
  • 1 1/2 lbs. cod fillet, cut into 4 pieces
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley leaves

Lemon Sauce:

  • 5 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice
  • 5 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 Tbsp. melted butter
  • 5 cloves garlic, minced

For Coating:

  • 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp. ground coriander
  • 3/4 tsp. sweet Spanish smoked paprika
  • 3/4 tsp. ground cumin
  • 3/4 tsp. salt
  • 1/2 tsp. black pepper
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
  2. Mix together the lemon juice, olive oil, and melted butter in a shallow bowl (do not add the garlic yet). Set aside.
  3. In another shallow bowl, mix the all-purpose flour, spices, salt and pepper. Set next to the lemon sauce.
  4. Pat the fish dry. Dip the fish in the lemon sauce then dip it in the flour mixture. Shake off excess flour. Reserve the lemon sauce for later.
  5. Heat 2 tablespoon olive oil in a cast iron skillet (or an oven-safe pan) over medium-high heat (watch the oil to be sure it is shimmering but not smoking). Add the fish and sear on each side to give it some color, but do not fully cook (about 2 minutes on each side). Remove the skillet from heat.
  6. To the remaining lemon sauce, add the minced garlic and mix. Drizzle all over the fish fillets.
  7. Bake in the heated oven until the fish flakes easily with a fork (10 minutes should do it, but begin checking earlier). Remove from the heat and sprinkle chopped parsley. Serve immediately.

http://www.lynnandruss.com

Recipe by Suzy Karadsheh

Butter-Basted Spiced Cod with Polenta

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Our Monday dinner menu often includes a fish dish or something vegetarian. So Fine Cooking’s “Make It Tonight” Series came through again with this Butter-Basted Spiced Cod with Polenta by Ronne Day. Yes, we’ve made it before, but that was years ago and we were ready for a rehash.

As mentioned in an earlier post, baking cod in melted butter adds a richness to the fish that nicely balances the heat from the harissa, a yummy North African paste made of ground dried chile peppers, garlic, olive oil, and spices. Harissa comes in mild or spicy. Other uses for the condiment include stirring into couscous, stews, soups and pastas. You’ll find it packaged in cans, tubes and jars at well-stocked grocery stores and specialty markets.

We cut back on the amount of cod to one pound, enough for two 6-ounce fillets; although we used the full amounts of the remaining ingredients. A refreshing orange, fennel and red pepper salad with mint and lemon completed our meal.

Butter-Basted Spiced Cod with Polenta

  • Servings: 4
  • Difficulty: easy
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Ingredients

  • 1-1/2 tsp. crushed whole coriander seeds or ground coriander
  • 2 medium lemons, 1 finely grated to yield 1/2 tsp. zest and squeezed for 2 Tbsp. juice, the other cut into wedges
  • Kosher salt
  • 1 cup cornmeal
  • 3 oz. (6 Tbs.) unsalted butter
  • 4 6-oz. pieces cod loin
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 Tbsp. harissa paste
  • 2 tsp. coarsely chopped cilantro or parsley

Directions

  1. Position a rack in the center of the oven and heat the oven to 400°F.
  2. Heat a 3-quart saucepan over medium heat. Add the coriander and stir until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
  3. Add 3 cups of water, the lemon zest, and 1 tsp. salt; turn the heat up to medium high.
  4. Whisk in the cornmeal and cook, stirring often, until thick and creamy, about 20 minutes. (If the polenta gets too thick, loosen with a little hot water.)
  5. Meanwhile, melt the butter in a small saucepan. Season the fish lightly with salt and pepper and arrange in a 9×13 baking dish with space between each piece.
  6. Remove the butter from the heat, stir in the harissa and lemon juice, and pour it over the fish.
  7. Bake, basting every 5 minutes or so, until cooked through (the fish will flake easily), about 15 minutes. If necessary, cover with foil to keep warm.
  8. Divide the polenta among 4 shallow bowls or plates. Top with the fish and spoon the butter over the fish.
  9. Top with the cilantro or parsley and serve with the lemon wedges.

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Original recipe from Fine Cooking

Sichuan Braised Cod

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I declared this my favorite cod recipe to date. The flavor profile was spot on for me, although it may be a bit too spicy for some. In that case, cut back on the number of dried chiles.

The Sichuan Braised Cod recipe from Fine Cooking makes a for quick and healthy supper, especially when served with a side salad. Only the two of us were sharing the meal so we bought a smaller piece of fish—just over a pound—and cut it into 3 equal sections.

The original recipe instructs you to flip the cooked cod in the sauce a couple of times. Fearing the fish would fall apart as it was flipped, we spooned the sauce over each fillet instead. To keep it pescatarian, we swapped out the chicken broth for homemade shrimp stock. Serve with steamed rice.

Sichuan Braised Cod

  • Servings: 4
  • Difficulty: easy
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Ingredients

  • 1⁄2 cup, plus 2 tsp. cornstarch
  • 2 Tbsp. rice vinegar, more to taste
  • 3/4 Shrimp broth
  • 1 1⁄2 Tbsp. soy sauce
  • 1 Tbsp. ketchup
  • 1 1⁄2 lbs. cod fillets, cut into 4 uniform pieces
  • Kosher salt and frhly ground black pepper
  • 2 eggs, beaten
  • 3 Tvbsp. canola oil
  • 10 dried Thai chiles or other small whole chiles
  • 4 scallions, thinly sliced, white and green parts separated
  • 1 1⁄2 Tbsp. minced ginger

Directions

  1. in a small bowl, mix the 2 teaspoons cornstarch with 2 tablespoons vinegar. Add the broth, soy sauce and ketchup.
  2. Season the fish with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper.
  3. Spread the remaining 1/2 cup cornstarch on a plate, and put the eggs in a wide bowl. Dredge the fish in the cornstarch.
  4. Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a 12-inch non-stick pan over medium-high heat until shimmering hot. Soak the fish in the egg for a couple of seconds, then add to the pan.
  5. Cook, flipping every three minutes, until the cod is browned and a little firm to the touch, about 5 minutes total (it should not be cooked all the way through). Transfer the fish to a large plate.
  6. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon oil to the pan, then add the chiles, white parts of the scallions, and ginger. Cook, stirring until the scallions become translucent and browned in a few places, about 2 minutes.
  7. Give the cornstarch mixture a quick stir and then pour it into the pan. It should come to a boil and thicken quickly. Reduce the heat to medium-low, return the fish to the pan, and spoon the sauce over the fillets a couple of times to coat them in the sauce.
  8. Cover the pan, leaving the lid slightly ajar, and cook until the fish is just cooked through and starting to flake, 3 to 5 minutes.
  9. Taste the sauce for salt and vinegar, adding more to taste if needed. Serve immediately with the sauce spooned over the cod and sprinkled with scallion greens.

http://www.lynnandruss.com

Adapted from a recipe from Fine Cooking

Spicy Korean-Style Braised Cod

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OK, I’ll go out on a limb here and claim this cod recipe is probably one of the best fish dishes I’ve ever eaten! The skillet braise is a simplified version of daegu jorim, or Korean braised cod. Here, Milk Street builds an umami-rich braising liquid by combining sake, mirin, soy sauce and gochujang (Korean fermented chili paste), plus garlic, ginger and chilies.

In the Korean kitchen, steaks of fatty fish, such as black cod or mackerel, are commonly used in daegu jorim, but this recipe opts for easy to source Atlantic cod fillets. Instead of buying individual fillets, we bought a 1 1⁄2-pound piece and cut it down to our preferences.

Earthy, subtly sweet daikon radish is a standard ingredient in the braise but Yukon Gold potatoes are said to be a good alternative. Baby bok choy is also added for color and to round out the braise. Let ‘s just say, this packs quite a punch—which we loved—but to tone it down a notch or three, use only one Fresno chili and discard the seeds and veins.

If you like, sprinkle on sliced scallions or toasted sesame seeds as a garnish, and/or drizzle on some sesame oil. Be sure to serve steamed short-grain rice alongside. Kimchi would be a great accompaniment, too. It was even very good as leftovers. — Just YUM!

Don’t cover the skillet tightly after adding the cod and bok choy. Leaving the lid ajar allows some steam to escape, so the broth reduces slightly, for more concentrated flavor and consistency.

Spicy Korean-Style Braised Cod

  • Servings: 4
  • Difficulty: easy
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Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups sake
  • 1/3 cup mirin
  • 1/4 cup soy sauce
  • 3 Tbsp. gochujang
  • 4 medium garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 Tbsp. minced fresh ginger
  • 1 – 2 Fresno or jalapeño chilies, stemmed and sliced into thin rounds
  • 12 oz. daikon radish, peeled, quartered lengthwise and cut crosswise into ½-inch pieces or 12 oz. medium Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and sliced into ½-inch rounds
  • 4 6-oz. skinless cod fillets, each about 1 inch thick
  • 8 oz. baby bok choy, trimmed and cut crosswise into 1-inch pieces
  • Kosher salt and ground black pepper
  • Steamed rice

Directions

  1. In a 12-inch skillet, stir together the sake, mirin, soy sauce, gochujang, garlic, ginger and chilies; bring to a boil over medium-high, stirring occasionally. Add the daikon (or potato), then cover, reduce to medium, and cook, flipping and stirring the radish every 5 minutes or so, until a skewer inserted into the pieces meets no resistance, 10 to 15 minutes.
  2. Slide the cod fillets into the skillet and scatter the bok choy over the top. Cover partially and cook over medium, turning the fish and stirring the vegetables just once or twice, until the cod flakes easily and the sauce is slightly thickened, 5 to 8 minutes. Taste and season with salt and pepper.
  3. Ladle into shallow bowls and garnish with sliced scallions and sesame seeds.

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Adapted from a recipe by Courtney Hill for Milk Street

Sautéed Cod with Zhoug

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Zhoug, a spicy pesto-like condiment with a base of cilantro and often parsley, is popular throughout the Levant and Middle East regions. Its zip and pungency comes from fresh chilies, a small handful of spices and fresh garlic. Olive oil supplies fruity richness.

Milk Street claims zhoug is just the thing to add bold, bracing flavor to mild-tasting fillets of white fish. Readily available cod works well in this recipe, but snapper and tilapia are also good substitutes. Whichever you choose, for quick, even cooking, look for fillets no thicker than about 1 inch. Be sure to dry the fish well by patting it with paper towels, especially if it was previously frozen; removing excess moisture helps ensure they brown well in the pan.

Unable to source Serrano chiles, a jalapeño and a Fresno were substituted. Cod was the fish of choice because it was the most economical of the options—and we like it. To complete the meal, we made sides of steamed green beans lightly dressed in a flavored olive oil, salt and pepper; and whole wheat pearled couscous in homemade seafood stock (instead of water), then finished with sautéed shallot and minced parsley.

NOTE: Don’t leave the cilantro wet after rinsing. Be sure to dry it well so there’s no residual water to cause sogginess during processing. Also, don’t move the fish around once it’s in the skillet, and don’t worry if it releases a little a liquid during cooking. The skinless fillets are delicate, so minimal maneuvering is best to keep them intact, as well as for best browning.

Sautéed Cod with Zhoug

  • Servings: 4
  • Difficulty: easy
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Ingredients

  • 4 cups lightly packed fresh cilantro leaves and tender stems (about 1 large bunch), roughly chopped
  • 2 medium garlic cloves, smashed and peeled
  • 2 serrano chilies, stemmed, halved and seeded
  • 1½ tsp. ground coriander
  • ½ tsp. ground cumin
  • ¼ tsp. ground cardamom
  • Kosher salt and ground black pepper
  • ¼ cup plus 2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil, divided
  • 4 6-oz. skinless cod, snapper or tilapia fillets, each about 1 inch thick, patted dry
  • Lemon wedges, to serve

Directions

  1. In a food processor, combine the cilantro, garlic, chilies, coriander, cumin, cardamom, ½ teaspoon each salt and pepper. Process until roughly chopped, about 20 seconds.
  2. Add the ¼ cup oil and process until smooth, about another 30 seconds. Transfer ¼ cup zhoug to a small bowl; set aside for serving.
  3. Season the fish all over with salt and pepper, then brush the one side with half of the remaining zhoug. In a 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium-high, heat the remaining 2 tablespoons oil until shimmering.
  4. Add the fillets zhoug-side down, brush the tops with the remaining zhoug and cook, undisturbed, until golden brown on the bottoms, 3 to 5 minutes.
  5. Using a wide metal spatula, carefully flip the fillets. Cook until golden brown on the second sides and the fillets are opaque throughout, about 3 minutes. Using the spatula, transfer the fillets to a platter. Serve with the reserved zhoug and lemon wedges.

http://www.lynnandruss.com

Adapted from a recipe by Courtney Hill for Milk Street

Cod with Scallion-Sesame Butter

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WOW, what a refreshing and surprising fish dish from Bon Appétit! This nod to scallion-ginger sauce uses both butter and olive oil, giving extra richness to lean whitefish. A dusting of cornstarch, which I added using a sifter for uniformity, imparts that restaurant-style golden crisp.

Our cod was paired with tri-colored couscous and fresh green beans, both of which made happy with the scallion-butter sauce. Seeing as how olive oil is an integral ingredient, use a high-end EVOO, you’ll definitely taste the difference. It seems almost too simple with the short list of common ingredients to end up so tasty!

Cod with Scallion-Sesame Butter

  • Servings: 4
  • Difficulty: easy
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Ingredients

  • 4 6-oz. cod or other flaky whitefish fillets
  • Kosher salt
  • 2 Tbsp. cornstarch or all-purpose flour
  • 6 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil, divided
  • 1 bunch scallions, thinly sliced on the diagonal
  • 4 Tbsp. unsalted butter
  • 1 tsp. toasted sesame oil
  • 1 1” piece ginger, peeled, finely chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves, thinly sliced

Directions

  • Pat fish dry with paper towels; season with salt. Sprinkle one side with an even layer of cornstarch; brush off excess.
  • Heat 2 Tbsp. olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high. Lay fish, cornstarch side down, in skillet and cook, shaking pan occasionally, until golden, crisp, and opaque around the edges, 6–8 minutes. Turn fish over and cook just until fillets are cooked through and flake easily with a fork, 1–2 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, place scallions in a medium heatproof bowl. Combine butter, sesame oil, ginger, garlic, and remaining 4 Tbsp. olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Cook until butter begins to foam and garlic turns light golden, about 4 minutes.
  • Pour over scallions, stirring to wilt. Let cool 1 minute, then season with salt.
  • Serve fish with scallion-sesame butter spooned over.

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Recipe from Chris Morocco for Bon Appétit

Parchment Packets with Cod, Spinach, Tomatoes and Shallots

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Here, Molly Stevens combines mostly ordinary ingredients such as fish, spinach, tomatoes and shallots to create a dish far more elevated than the sum of its workaday parts. Your meal is folded up into a neat little packet of parchment that traps moisture so the fish steams in its own juices while the flavors mingle and intensify. And this method allows for super-easy clean up, woohoo!

The mild-tasting fish, whether it be cod, haddock or flounder fillets, are nestled onto baby spinach and topped with minced shallots, a handful of cherry tomatoes, a splash of white wine or vermouth, and a pat of butter or a drizzle of olive oil. (Our choices were dry vermouth and olive oil.)

Heart-healthy not only in appearance, but in ingredients too! For just the two of us we used two 8-ounce cod fillets, halved the quantity of spinach, but kept the same amount of tomatoes, shallots and parsley.

We were a little concerned that the fish and shallots wouldn’t be done in 14 minutes time, so we cooked for the full 18 minutes, and it was perfect. If using thin flounder fillets, make sure to fold them over into thirds, otherwise they will be overdone.

Three other tried-and-true riffs on fish packets from Molly are Flounder with Buttery Leeks; Salmon and Tomatoes, Capers and Chive Oil; and Sesame-Ginger Shrimp with Baby Bok Choy. We hope do blog on all of them in the future. A pat of butter or drizzle of olive oil and salt and pepper are all the embellishments you really need, but incorporating vegetables and garnishes will turn these into complete meals.

Make Ahead: The packets can be assembled several hours before cooking. Refrigerate until ready to bake, and add 4 minutes to the roasting time.

Parchment Packets with Cod, Spinach, Tomatoes and Shallots

  • Servings: 4
  • Difficulty: easy
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Ingredients

  • 2 Tbsp. unsalted butter or extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for the packets
  • 5 oz. baby spinach
  • Kosher salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • 4, 6-oz. cod, haddock or flounder fillets
  • 2 Tbsp. finely minced shallots
  • 2 Tbsp. chopped fresh parsley, chives or dill
  • 1 pt. cherry or grape tomatoes, halved (about 2 cups)
  • 1/4 cup dry white wine or dry vermouth

Directions

  1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees with racks in the lower and upper thirds. Cut four 24-inch-long sheets of parchment paper. Fold each sheet in half, forming a 12-by-15-inch rectangle and, with a pencil, draw a half-heart shape on the paper, centering the heart on the folded edge and making the heart as large as you can. Using scissors, cut out the hearts. (The heart shape makes sealing easier.)
  2. Open the heart shapes flat on your counter and lightly butter or oil the center of one side of each. Place a quarter of the spinach close to the crease on the buttered side of each piece of parchment paper. Season lightly with salt and pepper. Divide the fish fillets among the packets, placing them directly on the spinach. (If the fillets are less than 1-inch thick, fold or tuck them into compact bundles that are about 1 inch thick.) Season the fish with salt and pepper and top each with shallots, herbs and tomatoes. If using butter, cut it into smaller pats and place on top of the fillets. If using oil, drizzle a little over each fillet. Splash the wine over the top.
  3. Fold the other half of the paper over to cover the fish. Then, starting at the top of the heart shape, working with about 2 inches of the edge at a time, fold over about 1/2 inch, pressing down and rubbing your thumb across the fold to make a crisp crease. Move a little way along the edge and fold over a couple more inches, so that your folds are overlapping and double-folded. Continue working your way around the edge of the packet, making overlapping folds, like pleats, always pressing firmly and creasing so that the folds hold. Don’t expect the folded edge to be perfectly even; it will be somewhat crooked — this is part of its charm. Go back around, making a second fold at any place that doesn’t appear tightly sealed. If there’s a slight “tail” when you reach the end, give it a twist to seal. (If you don’t quite master the seal, you can make a quick cheat by stapling or paper-clipping the edges in place.)
  4. Arrange the packets on two large rimmed baking sheets so that they don’t touch. Bake for 14 minutes. (If the fish packets have been in the refrigerator, increase the time to 18 minutes.)
  5. Either place the packets directly on dinner plates and provide scissors so that your guests can snip open their own packets at the table, or carefully cut open the packets in the kitchen and slide the contents out onto dinner plates or pasta bowls and serve right away.

http://www.lynnandruss.com

Recipe from Molly Stevens cookbook All About Dinner

Basque-Style Fish and Clams in Parsley-Garlic Sauce

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The Hubs was thrilled with this recipe because it has clams, and we rarely cook anything with clams because I don’t eat them. It’s a consistency thing with me. I enjoy their broth, and when they’re cut up and chopped into things, but not whole clams.

The Spanish dish—Merluza en Salsa Verde con Almejas, or hake in green sauce with clams—is a classic dish from the Basque Country in northern Spain. Hake has been one of my favorite white flaky fishes ever since I enjoyed it for the very first time in Northern Spain in 2013. Problem is, it’s near impossible to source in these parts, so cod is a reasonable substitute.

In this recipe, fish fillets are gently simmered until flaky in a parsley, garlic and olive oil sauce, then are finished with cooked clams in their shells. Milk Street adapted this formula from seaside restaurant Txoko Getaria, and devised a method that requires only a food processor and a skillet but yields delicious results in only about an hour.

The cubanelle pepper (or jalapeño chili) is a stand-in for hard-to-source Basque guindilla chilies. And if you cannot find Idiazabal cheese, a Basque sheep’s-milk cheese with a subtle smokiness, Manchego is a good substitute.

Don’t omit the cheese. The pairing of fish and cheese is indeed unusual but the Idiazábal lends complex flavor without tasting distinctly cheesy. After adding the fish to the skillet, don’t allow the poaching liquid to reach a full simmer; slow, gentle bubbling is best to ensure the fillets are perfectly cooked.

Basque-Style Fish and Clams in Parsley-Garlic Sauce

  • Servings: 4
  • Difficulty: easy
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Ingredients

  • 1 oz. Idiazábal or Manchego cheese (without rind), cut into rough 1″ chunks
  • ¼ cup sliced almonds, toasted
  • Kosher salt
  • 5 cups lightly packed fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves and tender stems
  • ½ cup plus ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil, divided
  • 4 6-oz. firm white fish fillets (about 1” thick), such as hake, cod or grouper
  • 5 medium garlic cloves, thinly sliced
  • 1 Cubanelle pepper or jalapeño chili, stemmed, halved lengthwise, seeded and sliced into thin half rings
  • 1 cup dry white wine
  • 2 lbs. hardshell clams (about 1½” in diameter), such as manila or littleneck
  • 2 Tbsp. all-purpose flour

Directions

  1. In a food processor, combine the cheese, almonds and ½ teaspoon salt. Process until finely chopped, about 20 seconds. Add the parsley and process until chopped, about 10 seconds. With the machine running, add the ½ cup oil, then process until smooth, about 1 minute, scraping the bowl as needed; set aside.
  2. Season the fish all over with salt. In a 12-inch skillet over medium, combine the remaining ¼ cup oil, the garlic and Cubanelle pepper. Cook, stirring often, until the garlic begins to brown, 5 to 7 minutes. Add the wine and bring to a boil over medium-high. Cook, stirring, until the wine reduces by half, about 4 minutes.
  3. Add 1 cup water and bring to a boil. Add the clams, cover and cook, occasionally shaking the skillet, until the clams have opened, about 4 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and, using a slotted spoon, transfer the clams to a bowl, discarding any that have not opened; cover to keep warm.
  4. In a small bowl, whisk the flour and ½ cup of the broth mixture until smooth, then whisk the mixture into the broth in the skillet. Bring to a simmer over medium, stirring often; the liquid will thicken. Add the fish skin/skinned side up, then cover, reduce to low and cook for 4 minutes, adjusting the heat as needed to maintain a very gentle simmer.
  5. Using a wide metal spatula, carefully flip the fillets. Re-cover and cook until the centers of the fillets are opaque and reach 120°F, another 2 to 4 minutes. Using the spatula, transfer the fillets to serving bowls.
  6. Return the sauce to a simmer over medium, then stir in the parsley puree and remove from the heat. Taste and season with salt. Pour the sauce over the fish and top with the clams.

http://www.lynnandruss.com

Recipe from Courtney Hill for Milk Street

Steamed Fish with Shiitake Mushrooms

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Lean white fish is mild in flavor, so before steaming the fillets we season it boldly with garlic, ginger, oyster sauce and fiery-sweet Sriracha. We often carve out the start of our weekday meals for a “Meatless Monday” and this combo from Milk Street (MS) fit the bill.

From their “New Rules Cookbook” it emphasizes a gentle heat as best for keeping the delicate flesh of fish tender. Steaming is ideal because the heat surrounds the fish, cooking it from all sides without movement. An aromatic sauce is added to complement the mild fish.

Because we are fungi fanatics, we increased the shiitake mushrooms by 50% for a total of 12 ounces. For a little spice, drizzle the plated fish fillets with a little chili oil before sprinkling with the scallions. Or sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds. Serve with steamed or stir-fried greens and jasmine rice.

Pairing the cod with stir-fried baby bok choy made with garlic, ginger soy and a few red pepper flakes, and a side of steamed jasmine rice brought the entire dinner together. And plating it all on a singular platter makes for an easy presentation and allows each diner to serve themselves as much as they want.

Simple. Healthy. Tasty. What more could you ask for?

Steamed Fish with Shiitake Mushrooms

  • Servings: 4
  • Difficulty: easy
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Ingredients

  • 3 Tbsp. oyster sauce
  • 1 Tbsp. sriracha
  • 1 Tbsp. grapeseed or other neutral oil
  • 8 medium garlic cloves, finely grated
  • 1 Tbsp. finely grated fresh ginger
  • 3 Tbsp. soy sauce, divided
  • Kosher salt and ground black pepper
  • 4 6-oz. skinless cod, haddock or halibut fillets (each about 1 inch thick)
  • 8 oz. shiitake mushrooms, stemmed and thinly sliced
  • 2 Tbsp. unseasoned rice vinegar
  • 1 Tbsp. packed light or dark brown sugar
  • 2 scallions, thinly sliced

Directions

  1. In a shallow bowl or pie plate, whisk together the oyster sauce, Sriracha sauce, oil, garlic, ginger, 2 tablespoons of soy sauce and ½ teaspoon each salt and pepper. Add the fillets and turn to coat, gently rubbing in the sauce.
  2. Add the mushrooms and toss until evenly coated. Marinate at room temperature for about 10 minutes.
  3. Place a steamer basket in a large Dutch oven. Add enough water to fill the bottom of pot without touching the basket. Remove the basket. Cover the pot and bring to a simmer over medium-high.
  4. Meanwhile, mist the steamer basket with cooking spray. Arrange the fish in an even layer in the basket and top the fillets with the mushrooms, evenly arranging them. Return the basket to the pot, cover and steam over medium until the fish flakes easily, 8 to 12 minutes. (Ours took the entire 12 minutes.)
  5. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, stir together the vinegar, sugar, the remaining 1 tablespoon soy sauce and ¼ cup water.
  6. When the fish is done, use a thin metal spatula to transfer the fillets and mushrooms to a platter. Sprinkle with the scallions and serve with the sauce on the side.

http://www.lynnandruss.com

Adapted from a recipe for Milk Street

A Lesson on “Chashnee”

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According to the Washington Post article where we found the recipe, this Spicy Tamarind Fish and Herb Stew isn’t just memorable, it offers a teachable moment. Cookbook author Naz Deravian uses it for a lesson on “chashnee,” a Persian word that describes “a particular ingredient,” a spice or special something, “that brightens the dish, bringing it to life, like lemon or vinegar,” and it changes from one region to another. In the Persian Gulf region of Iran, chashnee comes from incomparably tangy tamarind and the heat of chile pepper.

Ghalieh Mahi (Spicy Tamarind Fish and Herb Stew)

In our neck of the woods, halibut is more than twice the price of cod, so that’s our preference here. Keep in mind, the sauce is bold. In fact, we, who love spicy food, didn’t bother to add any cayenne. You may also prefer to remove the chile seeds to further tame the flavor. I do feel the brown sugar (which we used instead of honey) balanced the tanginess of the tamarind.

Fenugreek leaves, powder and seeds

Fenugreek seeds and powder are used in many Indian dishes for their nutritional profile and slightly sweet, nutty taste. If you’re unable to locate it at a nearby grocery store, you can check specialty markets or just order online like we did.

Beware, if you are not a cilantro lover, then this dish is not for you.

Spicy Tamarind Fish and Herb Stew

  • Servings: 6
  • Difficulty: easy
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Ingredients

  • 3 Tbsp. olive oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 2 tsp. kosher salt, plus more as needed
  • 6 cloves garlic, crushed to a paste or finely grated
  • 1 tsp. ground turmeric
  • 1 red serrano or small jalapeño chile pepper, thinly sliced, plus more for garnish
  • 3 bunches fresh cilantro, tough stems trimmed, finely chopped (5 to 6 cups, chopped); plus some whole leaves reserved for optional garnish
  • 2 Tbsp. dried fenugreek, or 1/2 bunch fresh leaves, finely chopped; OR, 1 Tbsp. dried crushed seeds
  • 2 Tbsp. unbleached all-purpose flour
  • 2 Tbsp. tamarind paste , dissolved in 2 cups warm water, plus more to taste
  • 2 Tbsp. tomato paste
  • 2 tsp. brown sugar or honey, plus more to taste (optional)
  • Cayenne pepper (optional)
  • 2 pounds cod, halibut or other firm-fleshed fish
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • Cooked rice, for serving

Directions

  1. In a large pan, heat the oil over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the onion and cook, stirring frequently, until golden brown, about 6 minutes. Sprinkle with a little salt, reduce the heat to medium, and add the garlic, turmeric and chile pepper. Cook, stirring frequently, until fragrant, about 1 minute.
  2. Add the cilantro and fenugreek and cook, stirring frequently, until fragrant and the cilantro has considerably wilted, about 10 minutes. (This step actually only took 2 minutes for the cilantro to be completely wilted.)
  3. Add the flour and the 2 teaspoons of salt and stir to incorporate for 1 minute. Stir in the tamarind mixture and tomato paste. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer, uncovered, until thickened, about 10 minutes.
  4. Taste as it simmers. If the sauce is too sour, add the sugar or honey to take the edge off the tang. Taste again for salt (keep in mind you will salt the fish as well), heat (add cayenne if you like), and more tang from tamarind.
  5. Meanwhile, cut the fish into 2-inch pieces and season well with salt and black pepper. Raise the heat to medium, add the fish, and simmer, uncovered, until the fish cooks through, 10 to 15 minutes. Stir gently to make sure nothing sticks to the bottom of the pan. If the stew gets too watered-down, remove the fish and raise the heat to reduce the sauce a little, if it’s too dry, add a little more water.
  6. Garnish with more chile peppers and cilantro leaves, if you like, and serve with rice.

http://www.lynnandruss.com

Recipe compliments of Justin Tsucalas for The Washington Post

Moroccan Cod Tagine for Two

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The bright colors and flavors literally pop off the plate in this lovely, healthy fish tagine. And with a few tweaks, we bolstered that brightness by doubling the amount of carrots and green olives. Pairing it with a side of tricolored couscous to help soak up the luscious sauce didn’t harm the color palette either!

For a bright, flavorful fish tagine, start by salting chunks of cod to season the flesh and help it retain moisture. Coat the fish in chermoula, a flavorful herb-spice paste of cilantro, garlic, cumin, paprika, cayenne, lemon juice, and olive oil, just before cooking to season its exterior.

Softening bell pepper, onion, and carrot before adding the tomatoes and fish ensures that the vegetables will be soft and tender by the time the fish has cooked through. Preserved lemon and olives add acidity, complexity, and salty punch to the broth. To produce moist, flaky cod, turn off the heat once the broth is bubbling at the bottom of the pot and allow the fish to cook in the residual heat.

You can substitute red snapper or haddock for the cod as long as the fillets are 1 to 1½ inches thick. Picholine or Cerignola olives work well in this recipe. Serve this dish with flatbread, couscous, or rice.

Moroccan Cod Tagine for Two

  • Servings: 2
  • Difficulty: easy
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Ingredients

  • 12 ounces skinless cod fillets (1 to 1½ inches thick), cut into 1½- to 2-inch pieces
  • ½ teaspoon table salt, divided
  • ¼ cup fresh cilantro leaves, plus 2 tablespoons chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves, peeled
  • ¾ teaspoon ground cumin
  • ¾ teaspoon paprika
  • ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 2 teaspoons lemon juice
  • 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
  • ½ onion, sliced through root end ¼ inch thick
  • ½ green bell pepper, cut into ¼-inch strips
  • 1 small carrot, peeled and sliced on bias
  • ¼ inch thick¾ cup canned diced tomatoes
  • 3 tablespoons pitted green olives, quartered lengthwise
  • 1 tablespoon finely chopped preserved lemon

Directions

  1. Place cod in bowl and toss with ¼ teaspoon salt. Set aside.
  2. Pulse cilantro leaves, garlic, cumin, paprika, and cayenne in food processor until cilantro and garlic are finely chopped, about 12 pulses. Add lemon juice and pulse briefly to combine. Transfer mixture to small bowl and stir in 1½ tablespoons oil. Set aside.
  3. Heat remaining 1½ tablespoons oil in large saucepan over medium heat until shimmering. Add onion, bell pepper, carrot, and remaining ¼ teaspoon salt and cook, stirring frequently, until softened, 5 to 7 minutes. Stir in tomatoes and their juice, olives, and preserved lemon. Spread mixture in even layer on bottom of saucepan.
  4. Toss cod with cilantro mixture until evenly coated, then arrange cod over vegetables in single layer. Cover and cook until cod starts to turn opaque and juices released from cod are simmering vigorously, 3 to 5 minutes. Remove saucepan from heat and let stand, covered, until cod is opaque and just cooked through (cod should register 140 degrees), 3 to 5 minutes. Sprinkle with chopped cilantro and serve.

http://www.lynnandruss.com

Adapted from a recipe by Cook’s Illustrated