Description
Delightful pan-seared cod in white wine tomato basil sauce brings Mediterranean coastal flavors to dinner tables. This elegant seafood dish combines fresh ingredients with simple techniques, promising a restaurant-quality meal you can easily prepare at home.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 cod fillets (6 oz/170 g each)
- 1 can (14 oz/400 g) diced tomatoes, drained
- 1 cup (240 ml) dry white wine
- ½ cup (120 ml) chicken or vegetable broth
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 tbsps olive oil
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 cup (30 g) fresh basil leaves, roughly chopped
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 tsp sugar (optional, to balance acidity)
Instructions
- Preparation: Pat cod fillets dry and season generously with salt and black pepper to enhance natural flavors.
- Searing: Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear cod fillets for 3-4 minutes per side until golden and caramelized, ensuring fish is fully cooked. Remove fillets and set aside, preserving pan drippings.
- Sauce Foundation: In the same skillet, add fresh olive oil and saute minced garlic and diced onions until translucent, releasing their aromatic essence.
- Wine Infusion: Deglaze pan with white wine, scraping browned bits from skillet bottom. Simmer and reduce to concentrate flavors.
- Sauce Development: Add diced tomatoes, red pepper flakes, sugar, and chicken broth. Gently simmer, allowing ingredients to meld and sauce to thicken.
- Final Touch: Incorporate freshly chopped basil leaves, creating a vibrant sauce. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
- Plating: Return seared cod to skillet, spooning sauce over fillets to ensure moisture and flavor absorption. Garnish with additional fresh basil leaves and serve immediately with crusty bread, rice, or pasta.
Notes
- Select the Right Fish: Choose fresh, high-quality cod with firm, white flesh and no strong fishy odor to ensure the best flavor and texture.
- Patting Dry Matters: Thoroughly dry the cod fillets with paper towels before seasoning to achieve a perfect golden-brown sear and prevent steaming in the pan.
- Control the Heat: Maintain medium-high heat when searing to create a crispy exterior without burning the fish, watching carefully for a beautiful caramelized crust.
- Balance the Sauce: Adjust the wine, sugar, and red pepper flakes to create a harmonious sauce that complements the delicate cod without overpowering its natural taste.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3
- Calories: 330
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 16 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg