Description
Cod fillets bathe in a zesty citrus basil butter sauce, creating a Mediterranean-inspired seafood delight. Elegant yet simple, this dish promises restaurant-quality flavors you can effortlessly craft at home.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 (8 oz/226 g) cod filets, white
- 3 tbsps unsalted butter
- ½ cup (120 mL) olive oil
- 2 oranges
- 1 lemon
- 1 tsp light brown sugar
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Fresh basil
Instructions
- Marinate: Lay cod filets in a shallow dish, grate orange and lemon zest directly over fish, drench with freshly squeezed citrus juices, and drizzle olive oil. Cover and refrigerate for one hour to enhance flavor absorption.
- Prepare Skillet: Warm a heavy-bottomed skillet over medium heat. Remove filets from marinade, pat dry with paper towels, and season with salt and pepper on both sides.
- Sear Fish: Slide filets into hot pan, cooking 3-4 minutes per side until edges turn golden and center becomes translucent. Transfer skillet to preheated oven to maintain warmth.
- Create Sauce: In a separate saucepan, melt butter until frothy. Pour reserved marinade into butter, stirring continuously. Squeeze additional orange juice, allowing liquid to reduce and thicken.
- Finish and Serve: Tear fresh basil leaves into sauce, whisk vigorously, and swirl final pat of butter for a silky finish. Retrieve cod from oven, lavish with warm sauce, garnish with basil leaves, and serve immediately.
Notes
- Marinate Strategically: Allow cod to soak in citrus bath for minimum one hour to maximize flavor penetration and tenderize the fish.
- Pat Dry Perfectly: Remove excess marinade and thoroughly dry fish with paper towels to achieve a crisp, golden exterior when searing.
- Control Cooking Heat: Use medium heat to ensure even cooking and prevent burning, listening for the ideal sizzle when fish hits the pan.
- Finish with Finesse: Create a luscious sauce by reducing marinade with butter and fresh orange juice, swirling in a final pat of butter for a glossy, rich finish.
- Prep Time: 1 hour
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3
- Calories: 532
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 100 mg
- Fat: 42 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 32 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 29 g
- Cholesterol: 65 mg