🐟🐟Lemon Baked Cod🐟🐟

@AniphaeS

Published in 

Recipes from North America

 · 8 months ago

🐟🐟Lemon Baked Cod🐟🐟

🐟 Delicate cod fillets bathed in a zesty lemon butter sauce, kissed with herbs, and baked to perfection. Each bite is a wave of flavor that brings the ocean's freshness right to your fork.

Ingredients:

• 4 cod fillets (about 6 ounces each)
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 2 tablespoons olive oil, plus more for drizzling
• 4 thin lemon slices
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon dried or 1 tablespoon fresh chopped parsley
• 1 teaspoon dried or 1 tablespoon fresh chopped thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
• Additional lemon wedges for serving

Instructions:

• Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly oil a baking dish or line it with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
• Pat the cod fillets dry with paper towels and season them on both sides with salt and pepper.
• Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. If the cod has skin, place it skin-side down first, cooking for about 3-4 minutes until the skin is crispy. Carefully flip the fillets and cook for another 1-2 minutes. Transfer the partially cooked cod to the prepared baking dish.
• In a small bowl, mix the minced garlic, parsley, thyme, and red pepper flakes (if using) with the melted butter and lemon juice.
• Pour the lemon butter herb mixture over the cod fillets in the baking dish.
• Place a lemon slice on top of each fillet.
• Bake in the preheated oven for about 10-12 minutes or until the fish flakes easily with a fork and reaches an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C).
• Remove from the oven and let the fish rest for a minute. Drizzle with more olive oil if desired and garnish with additional fresh herbs.
• Serve immediately with extra lemon wedges on the side for additional lemony flavor.

This dish offers a tender, flaky texture with a bright burst of lemon and a hint of herbs, perfect for a healthy and satisfying meal. Enjoy your lemon baked cod!