Description
Mediterranean-inspired Lemon Butter Baked Cod promises delicate ocean flavors dancing with bright citrus notes. Fresh herbs and buttery sauce elevate this simple seafood dish, delivering restaurant-quality elegance you can easily recreate at home.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Proteins:
- 4 cod fillets (6 ounces / 170 grams each)
Butter and Oil Base:
- ¼ cup (60 grams) unsalted butter, melted
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Seasonings and Flavor Enhancers:
- 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (about 1 lemon)
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme (or 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves)
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (for garnish)
- Lemon slices, for serving
Instructions
- Prepare the culinary workspace by calibrating the oven temperature to 400F (200C) and coating a baking vessel with a thin layer of olive oil to prevent adherence.
- Craft a vibrant lemon butter elixir by amalgamating melted butter with olive oil, extracting citrus essence, incorporating aromatic garlic, zesting lemon rind, sprinkling paprika, infusing thyme, and seasoning with salt and pepper using a whisking motion until harmoniously blended.
- Delicately position pristine cod fillets within the prepared baking dish, ensuring a single-layer arrangement and lavishing them with the previously created lemon butter mixture, guaranteeing comprehensive coverage.
- Transfer the dressed fish into the heated oven, allowing it to transform for approximately 12-15 minutes, monitoring until the protein becomes translucent and effortlessly separates when gently prodded with a utensil.
- Elevate the presentation by adorning the perfectly baked cod with verdant chopped parsley and elegant lemon medallions, creating a visually enticing dish ready to be accompanied by complementary sides such as fluffy rice, roasted vegetables, or a crisp garden salad.
Notes
- Ensure cod fillets are similar in thickness for even cooking, preventing some pieces from overcooking while others remain undercooked.
- Pat fish dry with paper towels before adding sauce to help achieve a crispy exterior and better sauce absorption.
- Swap butter with olive oil or coconut oil for dairy-free alternatives, maintaining the recipe’s rich flavor profile.
- Use fresh herbs like dill or chives instead of thyme for a different aromatic dimension and personalized taste experience.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 500mg
- Fat: 27g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 3g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 90mg