Description
Mediterranean flavors dance in this pan-seared cod masterpiece, bringing ocean-fresh fish together with zesty tomato basil sauce. Quick and elegant, this dish delivers robust Mediterranean coastal charm that will delight seafood enthusiasts with its simple yet sophisticated profile.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1.5 pounds fresh cod, cut into 4 fillets
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes, sliced in half
Sauce Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/4 cup vegetable broth
- 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 cup fresh basil, finely chopped
Seasoning and Aromatics:
- 3 large cloves garlic, finely minced
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1/2 teaspoon fresh lemon zest
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
- Additional salt and pepper for seasoning
Instructions
- Craft a vibrant tomato basil sauce by warming olive oil in a sauté pan, then infusing it with zesty red pepper flakes and aromatic garlic for one minute.
- Introduce cherry tomatoes to the pan, allowing them to soften and develop a delightful blistered exterior over 9-12 minutes.
- Enhance the sauce’s depth by incorporating vegetable broth and a splash of lemon juice, creating a gentle simmering liquid.
- Elevate the flavor profile by folding in fresh basil leaves, remaining lemon juice, delicate lemon zest, a pinch of salt, subtle sugar, and freshly ground black pepper. Let the ingredients meld for two minutes, then set the sauce aside.
- In a separate pan, heat additional olive oil over medium heat to prepare for the cod fillets.
- Season the cod with salt and pepper, ensuring an even coating for maximum flavor absorption.
- Carefully place the seasoned cod into the hot pan, creating a golden-brown crust by cooking approximately 3 minutes on each side.
- Transfer the perfectly seared cod to serving plates and generously ladle the fragrant tomato basil sauce over the fish.
- Briefly warm the plated dish to marry the flavors, then serve immediately to preserve the sauce’s vibrant character.
Notes
- Adjust heat carefully when sautéing garlic to prevent burning, which creates bitter flavors in the sauce.
- Fresh cherry tomatoes work best for vibrant, sweet sauce; avoid overripe or mealy tomatoes for optimal texture.
- For gluten-free option, replace vegetable broth with white wine or water without compromising flavor complexity.
- Consider using alternative fish like halibut or sea bass if cod is unavailable, maintaining similar cooking technique and delicate protein structure.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg