Fish is a great weeknight meal because it takes very little preparation and cooks quickly, like in this recipe. Fish is heart-healthy, high in protein, low in fat and rich in Omega-3 fatty acids.
This oven-baked cod recipe is easy to prepare, and you can use the same method with salmon or almost any fish. Salt and pepper the fish, spread the “secret ingredient”, and then lay the onion and lemon on top, and then bake. According to the food experts at On The Go Bites, anchovies are the key to tastier cod.
They noted: “These little guys add flavour to so many things, not just Caesar salad. Contrary to many beliefs, they are not fishy at all. Anchovies add a briny umami flavour.
“Prized by chefs and home cooks alike, anchovies are often sneaked into sauces and dressings and lend a bright detail to almost any dish, including our oven-baked cod recipe.
“I’ll bet you have enjoyed more meals than you’ve realised that were flavoured by anchovies.”
Ingredients (serves four)
680g of cod
Two tablespoons of olive oil
Half a teaspoon of salt
One onion
One lemon
Two tablespoons of parsley
One-quarter cup of unsalted butter, softened
Two anchovy fillets in oil
Method
Before preparing the fish, preheat the oven to 180C/160C Fan/Gas Mark 4 and line a tray with baking paper.
For the fish, pat it dry with a paper towel, then drizzle olive oil over it and add salt and pepper.
Slice the onion and lemon. Cut a small slit in the lemon rounds so that you can twist them over the fish and chop the parsley.
Bake the cod in the oven for 20 to 25 minutes or just until it is opaque and flakes easily.
While the fish is cooking, you can make the anchovy Butter to drizzle on top. To do so, mince the anchovies or grind them until softened with a mortar and pestle.
Finish off by removing the fish from the oven and spreading the anchovy butter over it.
