Cod is a common white fish that is quite fleshy and contains very few bones. This is a versatile seafood that can be prepared in several ways, including roasting and baking. Although cod is high in cholesterol, it has a low level of saturated fat, many omega-3 compounds, and vitamins and minerals. Doctors say that eating fish twice a week can help prevent heart disease.
When buying fresh cod, pay attention to its appearance and smell. It should not smell much, nor should it be compressed. If you get frozen fillet, pay attention to the integrity of the package. Such a product must not be thawed and frozen repeatedly. If the fish has white or dark spots, and its structure is heterogeneous, do not buy it. You can buy the whole cod and cut the fillet yourself or purchase it ready-made.
What can be made of it?
Since cod is a rather soft and tender fish, it is good to serve it with sauces and interesting side dishes. For example, there are options for frying this fillet with clams and chorizo, as well as squid and dill in bouillabaisse sauce. At the same time, cod is delicious with a spinach garnish with mashed potatoes and a poached egg.
Frying is an excellent option for cooking cod fillets, as this allows you to create a wonderful crisp, without overdrying tender meat. This is the main method by which cod is cooked in restaurants and is very simple to perform at home.
How to do it?
Lightly coat the bottom of the non-stick pan with olive oil, then place it on a stove at a moderate temperature. Once the oil is warm, put the salted fish fillet. Fry for 2-3 minutes until the skin is golden and crispy. If you are cooking skinless cod, cook until the fish has a golden color.
Carefully turn the piece over and fry for another 2-3 minutes, depending on the thickness of the fillet. The fish will be ready when the meat in the middle becomes opaque.
Cod Fillet Tips
The photo of this fish clearly shows how soft it is. To ensure a crisp, dry the fillet with a dishcloth before seasoning with salt. Do not put too much oil in the pan and make sure it is heated before adding the fillet.
If you cook a very thick piece of cod, fry it in a pan until a crust appears, and then turn over and finish cooking in an oven that has been preheated to 180 ° C for 6 minutes.
If desired, add a little lemon juice to the pan before you finish cooking.
After you turn the fish over, add a little extra oil to provide a more pleasant aroma and make the dish juicy.
Fried fillet in batter
You can cook cod fillets in a pan and using crispy dough. To make this mouth-watering dish, you will need:
- 2 slices of fillet (weighing 450 grams);
- a quarter cup (59 ml) of pasteurized milk;
- half a glass (about 30 grams) of cornmeal;
- 1 teaspoon (4.7 grams) black pepper;
- 1 teaspoon (4.7 grams) of salt;
- 2 tablespoons (30 ml) vegetable oil;
- half a lemon;
- fresh parsley.
How to fry in batter?
Prepare the cod filet. To do this, rinse it under running cold water for several minutes and wipe it with a dry paper towel so that it absorbs excess water.
Pour the milk into a shallow dish. Soak the fillet in milk for 15 minutes. It takes away strong "fishy" smells.
Combine cornmeal, pepper, and salt in a shallow bowl. You can use a soup bowl for this.
Heat oil in a skillet over moderate heat for 3 minutes. Immerse the fillet soaked in milk in cornmeal. Turn it several times to cover each side. Sauté the cod fillet in batter for five minutes on both sides. Then shift to a dish, pour with lemon juice. Garnish with fresh parsley.
You can also fry the cod so that it stays soft. To simply fry this fish, you will need:
- 2 slices of fillet (weighing 450 grams);
- 1 teaspoon (4.7 grams) black pepper;
- 1 teaspoon (4.7 grams) of salt;
- 2 tablespoons (30 ml) melted butter;
- 1 teaspoon (4.7 grams) of paprika;
- lemon;
- dill - 3 branches.
How to fry this fish?
Prepare the cod filet. Wash it under the tap with water, then wipe it with a paper towel. Heat a cast iron skillet over high heat. Put a little oil on the bottom. This will prevent fish from sticking to the pan. Place the washed and dried fillets, pour with melted butter. Moisten with lemon juice, sprinkle with salt, pepper and paprika. Sprinkle with finely chopped dill. Fry the fish for five minutes. The cod will be ready when its middle can be easily pierced with a fork.
Transfer the fillet to the dish. Use a spatula for this - then the fish will be tender and not hurt.
Cod fillet with vegetables
Stewed fish is not only delicious, but also dietary. You can cook the cod fillet deliciously by stewing it with vegetables. To do this, you will need:
- 6 glasses of cold water;
- a quarter cup of dry white wine;
- 3 thinly chopped medium shallots;
- 3 medium potatoes, diced;
- 1 medium carrot, chopped into small sticks;
- 2 tablespoons kosher salt;
- 2 middle laurel leaves;
- 1 tablespoon black pepper peas;
- 4 pieces of cod fillet;
- 1/2 chopped lemon;
- 6 sprigs of parsley.
How to cook stewed fish with vegetables?
Prepare the fish. Combine wine, water, shallots, salt, potatoes, carrots, bay leaves and peppers in a large saucepan. Bring the ingredients to a boil in high heat.
Reduce the heat to a minimum so that the mixture boils a little. Add cod fillet to vegetables in one layer. Make sure the fish is completely covered in liquid. Simmer at low temperature until the fillet becomes opaque inside and begins to be easily pierced with a fork. It will take approximately 7 minutes. Vegetables should also be tender and easy to pierce.
Place one piece of cod filet in the serving plates and divide the broth and vegetables evenly between the portions. Put chopped lemon and chopped parsley on the side dish.
Baked fish
Oven cod fillet is an appetizing dish, the preparation of which requires:
- 2 slices of fillet (weighing 450 grams);
- a quarter cup of molten butter;
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice;
- a quarter cup of universal flour;
- 1/2 teaspoon of tea salt;
- 1/8 teaspoon white pepper;
- paprika to taste.
How to bake cod?
Rinse and wipe the cod filet. Preheat the oven to 180 ºC.
Mix melted butter and lemon juice in a small bowl until the ingredients are fully combined and you get a smooth butter mixture.
Combine flour, white pepper and salt in another bowl. Dip the cod filet in an oil mixture and then in a bowl of flour. Gently shake the fish to remove excess mixture.
Place the cod in the baking dish. Pour the remaining oil mixture onto it and sprinkle with paprika to taste. Bake the fish for 25-30 minutes until it is easily pierced with a fork.
Garnish the baked cod fillet with parsley leaves and lemon slices and serve hot. You can use boiled potatoes or baked vegetables for a side dish.
The second version of baked cod
If you want to cook a quick meal, you can add olive oil and fresh lemon juice to the cod filet and bake it in the oven. You will have a wonderful fish dish, ready in just a few minutes. In addition, it is low-calorie and dietary. To do this, you will need:
- cod fillet;
- olive oil;
- lemon juice;
- salt;
- any spices as desired.
How to bake fish according to this recipe?
Preheat the oven to 200 ºC. Rinse the cod fillet in cold water and dry with paper towels.
Put the fish in a single layer in a shallow baking dish. Lubricate it with a little olive oil and lemon juice. Turn the fillet over to coat the mixture on both sides. If desired, add additional seasonings, such as garlic salt, thyme, parsley, or salt and pepper.
Bake cod for 8-10 minutes, or until the meat is opaque and soft.
Remove the fish from the oven and serve by watering the juice that has melted during baking. You can use a fresh salad, roasted asparagus or boiled white rice for a side dish.
Grilled cod
Grilling roasting is an easy way to cook cod, thanks to which it acquires a delicate aroma. Serve this dish with aromatic oil, which is very simple to make. For this aromatic dish you will need:
- 100 grams of softened butter;
- 2 tablespoons parsley leaves, ground into minced meat;
- 2 teaspoons of lemon juice;
- 1/4 teaspoon of salt;
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper;
- 4 pieces of cod fillet;
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil.
Cooking Grilled Cod
Put the oil, parsley, lemon juice, pepper and salt in a small bowl and mix thoroughly with a wooden spoon. Put the oil mixture on the cling film, roll it into a roll with a diameter of about 3 cm. Refrigerate in the refrigerator.
Preheat the grill to medium temperature. Wipe the cod fillet with oil. Season with salt and pepper. Fry the fish for four minutes on each side, turning the fillet only once with a spatula. Check its readiness with a fork.
Then cut the frozen oil mixture into slices and apply a piece to each hot piece of cod fillet. If you serve fish with steamed vegetables, this oil will be a good sauce for them.
Use any fresh herbs (such as dill, thyme, or rosemary) to make fragrant oil if you don't like parsley. You can take a bouquet of spices if you wish. Garnish the finished cod with lemon slices and sprigs of the same grass that you put in the sauce. Serve immediately, preheated, this dish loses its properties.