Cod is a white fish that has a soft and tender taste with firm flesh. While you can cook this fish in a variety of ways, grilling is an easy, quick, and hassle-free method. This method also allows you to add a lot of flavor to the meat, whether you want to keep it tender and as is, add vegetables, or lightly coat it with breadcrumbs.
Ingredients
For 4 servings
- 450 grams of cleaned cod fillets
- tsp. salt
- tsp. pepper
- 1-4 tbsp. melted margarine or butter
- 1 tbsp. lemon juice
- 1 tsp. onion or garlic powder
- 1 cups breadcrumbs (for breaded cod)
- Seasoning, to taste
Step
Method 1 of 2: Roasting Cod (Simple Way)
Step 1. Wash and thaw the cod fillets
When finished, dry the filets by patting them. Make sure the fish fillets are the same thickness so that they all cook at the same time in the oven.
Step 2. Preheat the oven to 180 C and prepare a baking sheet
Remove the baking sheet and spread the parchment paper so that the cod doesn't stick to the bottom of the pan while cooking.
Step 3. Season both sides of the fish with a pinch of pepper and salt
Mix 1-2 tsp. Pepper and salt in a small bowl and sprinkle on both sides of the filet. There's no "right" amount to use, but use a little if you're in doubt. You can add the amount later before the fish is served. Place the filets on the baking sheet when finished.
You can use kosher salt or coarse salt instead of table salt. The larger granules don't dissolve quickly so the flavor will be more evenly distributed in the fish
Step 4. Mix softened butter or margarine with lemon juice
Take a small bowl, then add and stir 1 tbsp. butter and lemon juice along with a pinch of onion or garlic powder.
- It's time to add the extra spice you like. Try adding 1 tsp. chili powder, paprika, and/or red chili for a spicy fish, or oregano, rosemary, thyme, and/or basil for an Italian herbal mix.
- You can use olive oil instead of butter, but the fat in butter is useful for keeping the fish moist and flaky.
Step 5. Spread the butter/margarine mixture over the top of the fish fillet
Spread a small amount of the mixture on the fish and spread it evenly over the surface using a rubber spatula. When the fish is cooked, the butter will melt and seep into the layers of the fish, which will coat the inside for a moist, smooth and flaky texture.
Step 6. Bake the fish for 15-20 minutes
Once cooked, the white flesh will peel off easily when you pull it with a fork. When cut, the fish filet will have multiple layers instead of meat with a lumpy texture.
Step 7. Try baking it with some variations
You can try this recipe to get a delicious unique taste in the main dish:
- Cook cod with chopped vegetables, such as 1 large tomato, 1 green bell pepper, 1 pumpkin or zucchini, cup Kalamata olives, and a few cloves of garlic, all of which are finely chopped to make a full pot. Mix the vegetables with 1 tbsp. olive oil, then place it around the fish, and let it all cook at the same time.
- Add cup of chopped fresh parsley to the butter mixture before you spread it.
- Melt the butter first, then dip the cod in it to soak it in the marinade. Next, you can coat the fish fillets that have been coated in butter with a thin layer of breadcrumbs.
Method 2 of 2: Making Breaded Cod Fish
Step 1. Wash, clean and dry the cod fillets
Try to buy a cod filet with the same texture. Doing so will ensure that all the filets are cooked to the same temperature and none of the filets are undercooked or overly dry.
Step 2. Preheat the oven to 220 C and cover a baking sheet with aluminum foil
Aluminum foil is useful so that the fish does not stick to the bottom of the pan. If you don't have aluminum foil, apply olive oil or a thin layer of cooking spray to the bottom of the pan.
Step 3. Use a small bowl to mix the breadcrumbs with the spices
Prepare 1 cups of breadcrumbs (regular crumbs if you want cod with a smooth texture, or panko for extra crunchy fish), then mix with 1 tsp. sea salt, ground black pepper, cup chopped parsley, cup chopped scallions, 1 tsp. garlic powder, and any other seasoning you like. Stir all ingredients until well blended, and set aside.
- This breadcrumb mixture can be changed according to taste because the most "important" ingredients are breadcrumbs and salt.
- If you want other spices, you can use 1 tsp. chili powder, paprika, and/or red chili for a spicy fish. If you want to make a herbal blend, try using 1 tsp. dried oregano, rosemary, thyme, and/or basil.
Step 4. Melt 4 tbsp. butter in the microwave
Cut the butter into small squares to make it melt faster, and microwave for 30 seconds or less. You don't need hot butter, but melted butter. Once melted, mix the butter with the juice of 1 large lemon.
Step 5. Dip fish in butter mixture, then coat with breadcrumbs
Dip the fish fillets in the butter until they are moist on both sides, then roll them into the breadcrumb mixture. Press the fish into the breadcrumbs until all surfaces are coated before placing them on the baking sheet. When all the fish has been laid out on the baking sheet, pour the remaining butter mixture over the filets.
Step 6. Bake the fish for 12 to 15 minutes
The fish will be flaky and moist when removed and the meat will also feel firm. If the inside is still shiny and transparent, bake for another 2 to 3 minutes. Garnish grilled cod with lemon wedges and a sprig of fresh parsley before serving.
Step 7. Try some variations on the dish as desired
Cod has a mild taste that is easy to prepare with a variety of variations. This means, the dish can be varied as desired with a few easy steps.
- If you want a low-calorie dish, reduce the amount of butter and breadcrumb mixture by half. Sprinkle butter on top of fish and sprinkle breadcrumbs only on top.
- Mix 2-3 chopped tomatoes, 4 cloves of garlic, and 1 chopped onion with 1 tbsp. olive oil, then place this mixture around the filet as it cooks to serve as a side dish with the fish.
- For a thinner coating on the cod, replace the breadcrumbs with cup of flour.
Tips
- Large cod is usually cut into filets, slices, or pieces that are ready to buy. Many cooks like cod because the spines are large so they are easy to see and pick up.
- Cod is not a type of fatty fish, and it contains a lot of mineral salts. The oils found in lean fish (such as cod) are stored in your liver, not in the meat. This makes cod very healthy.
- Add cup of parmesan cheese to the breadcrumbs to make it even more delicious!
