Description
Silky baked cod with creamy garlic sauce blends Mediterranean elegance with simple coastal charm. Fresh lemon and herbs elevate this delicate seafood dish, promising a luxurious dining experience you’ll savor with each delightful bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Fish:
- 4 cod fillets (about 6 ounces or 170 grams each)
Seasonings:
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika (optional)
Sauce and Additional Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Zest and juice of 1 lemon
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to a sizzling 400°F (200°C), creating a perfect cooking environment. Prep a baking vessel with a light olive oil coating or protective parchment layer.
- Meticulously dry the cod fillets using absorbent towels, ensuring a pristine surface. Delicately massage with olive oil, then generously season with salt, pepper, and a whisper of paprika if desired.
- Carefully position the seasoned fillets in the prepared baking dish, arranging them with precision to promote even cooking.
- Slide the dish into the preheated oven, allowing the cod to transform for 12-15 minutes until it effortlessly separates with a gentle fork prod.
- Simultaneously craft the luxurious garlic sauce by melting butter in a skillet over medium heat. Introduce minced garlic, stirring until its aromatic essence fills the kitchen.
- Pour heavy cream into the fragrant butter-garlic mixture, incorporating Parmesan cheese. Simmer gently, watching the sauce thicken and develop a velvety consistency.
- Elevate the sauce’s brightness by stirring in vibrant lemon zest and a splash of fresh lemon juice, creating a harmonious flavor profile.
- Once the cod achieves perfect flakiness, remove from the oven and lovingly cloak the fillets with the creamy garlic sauce.
- Add a final flourish of freshly chopped parsley, providing a verdant contrast and herbaceous note. Serve immediately to capture the dish’s peak flavor and temperature.
Notes
- Create a moisture barrier by thoroughly patting cod fillets dry to ensure a perfect golden exterior and prevent steaming.
- Choose fresh, high-quality cod with firm, translucent flesh for the best texture and flavor profile.
- Adjust baking time based on fillet thickness, checking doneness by gently flaking with a fork to prevent overcooking.
- Swap heavy cream with Greek yogurt or coconut milk for lighter, diet-friendly sauce variations that maintain creamy consistency.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 900 mg
- Fat: 42 g
- Saturated Fat: 24 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 36 g
- Cholesterol: 150 mg