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Happy Friday everyone! Even though this was a shorter week because of Memorial Day, it still felt long. Was it long for you, too? Regardless, here we are, and it's Friday. YEAH for Friday. Fridays here in Wisconsin are awesome especially when it comes to eating. Whether it's Lenten season or not, every restaurant around has Friday fish specials. That's just the way it is around here. . .fish fry Friday. So, I thought it was quite appropriate to share a fish recipe today!
This Lemon Baked Cod is obviously not fried - nope. It's baked. . . on top of lemon slices and then topped off with panko crumbs. . . bursting with flavors of lemon and dill. YUM. . .O.
Baked cod is something I crave often. There's just something about the freshness, the clean taste. I never feel overstuffed after eating a light seafood dish. I just feel satisfied - the way I want to feel after a meal.
One of my favorite cod recipes is this Poor Man's Lobster (another Wisconsin staple dish), but I honestly adore cod no matter how it is prepared. If you're looking for something subtle, light and healthy, this is where it's at.
The panko crumbs are combined with fresh lemon juice, dill and a bit of salt and butter. Browning the panko in the skillet for a minute or two crisps the crumbs and creates the perfect topping for this gorgeous, flaky white fish.
Serve the cod alongside some fresh steamed broccoli florets, and you'll have a meal you find yourself coming back to again and again. One, because it's super easy to prepare, and two, because it's absolutely delicious.
Even though it's grilling season, I never hesitate to heat my oven to make this meal. I'm pretty sure I could eat this once a week, every week. If you love the mild and subtle taste of cod, just wait until you taste it infused with lemon and dill. Mind blown. It's the perfect flavor combination for a perfect end to the work week. TGIF, friends!
Lemon Baked Cod
Ingredients
- 6 5- ounce cod fillets
- 3 lemons
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon butter (melted)
- 1 cup panko bread crumbs
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 4 tablespoons fresh dill (chopped)
- Salt to taste
- Lemon pepper to taste
- Extra lemon wedges (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Spray a shallow baking pan with nonstick spray and set aside.
- Thinly slice two lemons and place slices in a single layer in the greased baking pan.
- Arrange fish on top of lemon slices.
- Brush cod with the melted butter.
- Season the cod with salt and lemon pepper to taste.
- Bake 17-19 minutes or until fish is opaque and flakes easily.
- While fish is baking, melt the 2 tablespoons of butter in a skillet over medium heat.
- Add the panko crumbs and cook for 2-3 minutes or until golden brown, stirring constantly.
- Remove from heat and add two tablespoons of oil, dill, one teaspoon of salt and juice from half of a lemon.
- Stir until well-combined.
- Transfer fish to a serving plate or platter (discarding the lemon slices) and squeeze the juice of ½ a lemon over the fish.
- Top with the panko crumb mixture and serve immediately with lemon wedges.
Notes
- Proper Lemon Slicing: When slicing the lemons to place underneath the cod fillets, aim for thin, uniform slices. This ensures that the lemon flavor infuses evenly throughout the dish and prevents any slices from becoming overpowering. Additionally, remove any seeds from the lemon slices to avoid unwanted bitterness in the final dish.
- Monitoring Cooking Time: Keep a close eye on the cod fillets while they bake to prevent overcooking, which can result in dry and tough fish. Cooking times may vary depending on the thickness of the fillets, so start checking for doneness a few minutes before the recommended time. The fish is ready when it turns opaque and easily flakes with a fork.
- Enhancing Flavor: For an extra burst of flavor, consider adding additional herbs or spices to the panko crumb mixture. Ingredients like minced garlic, lemon zest, or a pinch of cayenne pepper can complement the freshness of the dill and lemon juice, elevating the overall taste of the dish. Experiment with different seasonings to tailor the recipe to your taste preferences.
Brandi Clevinger
Mmmm...lemon on fish is so good!
thanks for sharing your recipe at Inspire Me Monday!
Nancy
This looks yummy!! I'll have to try this for dinner sometime soon!