Looking for something light but full of bold flavors, try my Rustic Tomato Basil Seared Cod. Where nothing in this recipe is lacking. Fresh Tomatoes infused with Garlic, Basil and soulful flavors served over a piece of a light and flaky Cod Fillet. Serve it along side your favorite side dish and a glass of refreshing wine and you are on your way fine dining in the comfort of your own home.
I have a weak spot for a good piece of fried fish. Whether it’s a piece of Catfish, Tilapia or a piece of Cod, nothing is more satisfying than that crunch when biting right into it. I know we can relate on this right? The twist on this one is, we are not going to fry our fish in this recipe. We are going to approach it with a simple deep seer and see where it takes us. While this recipe can be enjoyed with any type of fish of your choice, I chose Cod as my soul mate. It is a lighter tasting fish on the Ocean side, meatier in texture but still providing a delicate flaky profile. Absolutely perfect in my eyes.
Since fried food isn’t always a good thing for me, I try to find other ways to enjoy a great piece of fish. Rustic Tomato Basil Seared Cod was my first try at something new. Full of flavor while still light on the pallet. I served along side roasted baby Yukon Gold Potatoes and it paired beautifully leaving me full and content. Give a try on the sea side and tell me your thoughts?
Rustic Tomato Basil Seared Cod
Equipment
- Pan with Lid
- Frying Pan
Ingredients
Seafood
- 4 Cod Fish Fillets
Produce
- 2 pints Cherry Tomatoes
- 3 Cloves of Garlic Minced
- 6 Large fresh Basil Leaves Sliced thinly- fresh has a lot more flavor
- 1 tsp Lemon Juice
Seasonings
- 1 tbsp Garlic Herb Seasoning No salt
- 1 tbsp Onion Powder
- 1 tsp Red Pepper Flakes
- Salt
- Black Pepper
Condiment
- 1 tsp Sugar
- 1 cup Vegetable Broth
Dairy
- 4 tbsp Butter
Oil
- Olive Oil
Instructions
Tomato Basil Sauce
- Heat pan on medium high adding a drizzle of Olive Oil.
- Add Cherry Tomatoes to pan and begin searing until Tomatoes begin to blister and soften.
- Add Garlic Herb Seasoning, Onion Powder, Sugar and a generous pinch of Salt & Pepper. Stir until ingredients incorporated.
- Using the back of your cooking spoon, gently begin smashing the Cherry Tomatoes to release their juices.
- Proceed to add Vegetable Broth, minced Garlic and Lemon Juice and stir. Lower cooking temperature to Medium, cover with lid and let simmer for 15 minutes. Sauce will begin to thicken. Be sure to taste to see if additional seasonings are needed.
- Add 2 tablespoons of Butter & Red Pepper Flakes and give it another stir. If sauce is too thick, you may add additional Vegetable Broth. Cover and lower cooking temperature to low and let it continue to heat through.
Cod Preparation
- Season both sides of Cod with a generous pinch of Salt and Pepper. You may also add additional Garlic Herb Seasoning and Onion Powder for additional flavor.
- Heat Skillet on Medium High drizzling a generous amount of Olive Oil in Skillet. Add the 2 remaining tablespoons of Butter.
- When Olive Oil Butter mixture is heated through and bubbling, gently add Cod fillets into Skillet.
- Cook on each side 4-5 minutes or until completely cooked through. Cooking time will vary on the thickness of the Cod Fillets.
Serving Suggestions
- You may add the cooked Cod directly to the pan with the Tomato Basil Sauce gently spooning over top. Or you can plate Cod on a dish surrounded with sides of your choice and spoon the Sauce over it. No right or wrong way to present, your preference. Enjoy!!!
