Description
This Mediterranean Baked Cod with Lemon and Garlic Delight is a flavorful and healthy seafood dish featuring tender cod fillets coated in a spiced flour mixture, seared to perfection, and then baked in a zesty lemon-garlic sauce. Bursting with Mediterranean herbs and spices, this recipe combines a simple cooking method with vibrant flavors, making it perfect for a quick yet elegant dinner.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Fish and Coating
- 4 fillets Cod (thick, firm, fresh or thawed)
- 1 cup All-Purpose Flour (for gluten-free, substitute with gluten-free flour)
- 1 teaspoon Ground Coriander (freshly ground preferable)
- 1 teaspoon Paprika
- 1 teaspoon Ground Cumin
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 1/2 teaspoon Black Pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes (optional, for spice lovers)
Lemon-Garlic Sauce and Garnish
- 2 tablespoons Lemon Juice (freshly squeezed)
- 3 tablespoons Olive Oil (extra virgin preferred)
- 2 tablespoons Butter (unsalted recommended)
- 2 cloves Garlic (minced finely)
- 1/4 cup Fresh Parsley (chopped)
Instructions
- Pat Dry: Gently pat the cod fillets dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture, which helps the coating stick better and ensures a crispier finish.
- Mix Coating: In a bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, ground coriander, paprika, ground cumin, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes to create a flavorful spice mixture for the cod.
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 400°F (200°C) to heat while you prepare and sear the fish.
- Prepare Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the freshly squeezed lemon juice, olive oil, melted butter, and minced garlic to create a bright and aromatic lemon-garlic sauce.
- Coat Cod: Dip each cod fillet into the lemon-garlic sauce, ensuring it’s well coated, then dredge each fillet thoroughly in the prepared flour and spice mixture.
- Sear Cod: Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and add a little olive oil. Sear the coated cod fillets for about 2 minutes on each side until they develop a golden crust but are not fully cooked through.
- Bake Cod: Transfer the seared cod fillets to a baking dish, pour the remaining lemon-garlic sauce over the top, and bake in the preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes until the fish is cooked through and flakes easily with a fork.
- Garnish: Remove the baked cod from the oven and sprinkle with freshly chopped parsley before serving to add a fresh, herbaceous finish.
Notes
- Use fresh or properly thawed cod fillets for the best texture and flavor.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend.
- Adjust red pepper flakes to taste depending on your spice preference.
- Ensure the skillet is hot before searing the fish to achieve a nice crust without sticking.
- Cook fish until it flakes easily with a fork to avoid drying it out.
- This dish pairs well with steamed vegetables, rice, or a light salad.
