That sounds delicious! Here’s a simple and flavorful way to make cod in a lemon butter tomato sauce. I’ll break it down step by step.
Ingredients (for 2-3 servings)
- 2 cod fillets (about 6–8 oz each)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved (or 1 cup canned diced tomatoes)
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for a bit of heat)
- 1/4 cup white wine (optional)
- Juice of 1 lemon
- Zest of 1 lemon
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the cod:
- Pat the cod dry with a paper towel.
- Season both sides with salt and pepper.
- Cook the cod:
- Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add the cod fillets and sear for 2–3 minutes per side until golden (they don’t need to be fully cooked at this stage).
- Remove the cod and set aside.
- Make the lemon butter tomato sauce:
- In the same skillet, add 1 tablespoon of olive oil and the butter.
- Add the onion and sauté for 2–3 minutes until softened.
- Add the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add the cherry tomatoes and red pepper flakes. Cook for 4–5 minutes until tomatoes start breaking down.
- Optional: pour in white wine and let it reduce for 2–3 minutes.
- Stir in lemon juice and lemon zest. Season with salt and pepper.
- Finish cooking the cod in the sauce:
- Return the cod to the skillet, spooning some sauce over the fillets.
- Reduce heat to low, cover, and let simmer for 5–7 minutes until the cod is cooked through and flakes easily with a fork.
- Serve:
- Plate the cod with the tomato sauce spooned over the top.
- Garnish with chopped parsley and a lemon wedge if desired.
Tips
- Cod is delicate, so handle it gently to avoid breaking the fillets.
- You can serve this over rice, pasta, or with crusty bread to soak up the sauce.
- For a richer sauce, add an extra tablespoon of butter at the end.
If you want, I can also give you a one-pan shortcut version that’s even faster and less cleanup but just as tasty. Do you want me to do that?
