Description
Mouthwatering baked cod with lemon and garlic brings Mediterranean flavors to your dinner table. Delicate fish marinates in zesty herbs, promising a light and flavorful meal you’ll savor with each delicious bite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 (8 oz/226 g) cod fillets
- 2 tbsps butter (softened)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 tbsp parsley (chopped)
- 1 tsp thyme
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- 1 lemon (sliced)
- 1/8 tsp paprika
- 1/8 tsp dill
- 1/8 tsp salt
Instructions
- Oven Preparation: Calibrate the oven to 400°F (200°C) for precise cod cooking, creating an ideal thermal environment.
- Herb Butter Creation: Blend softened butter with olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, parsley, thyme, paprika, dill, and salt into a cohesive, aromatic mixture that will elevate the fish’s flavor profile.
- Baking Dish Setup: Establish a flavor foundation by spreading a thin layer of herbed butter across the baking dish, ensuring fish won’t adhere and introducing complex taste dimensions.
- Fish Preparation and Baking: Gently position cod fillets in the buttered dish, thoroughly coating with herb butter and artfully arranging lemon slices around the fish. Slide the dish into the preheated oven and bake for 20 minutes until the fish transforms to a translucent texture and easily separates with a fork.
- Plating and Presentation: Immediately transfer the golden, herb-encrusted cod to serving plates, optionally garnishing with fresh herb sprinkles to enhance visual appeal and provide a final flavor burst.
Notes
- Optimize Oven Temperature: Precise 400°F ensures cod cooks evenly without drying, preserving delicate fish texture and preventing overcooking.
- Butter Blending Technique: Softened butter helps herbs distribute uniformly, creating a rich, aromatic coating that enhances overall flavor profile.
- Fish Freshness Matters: Select high-quality, fresh cod fillets with firm, translucent flesh to guarantee best taste and ideal flaky consistency.
- Timing is Critical: 20-minute baking window prevents seafood from becoming tough, maintaining moisture and ensuring perfectly cooked, tender fish.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3
- Calories: 330
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 220 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 5 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 31 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg