Pan-seared Cod With Basil Sauce

Vino Girl's Note:

This has a fresh pesto-like feel without the nuts, and a lot less fat. Any flaky white fish can be used here - I usually have tilapia or whitefish around rather than cod. I had an open bottle of Reisling and so I used that in place of the broth. From Cooking Light.

• Total Time: 21 mins
• Prep Time: 10 mins
• Cook Time: 11 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 4

• ¼ cup fresh basil , finely minced
• ¼ cup reduced-sodium chicken broth
• 2 tablespoons parmesan cheese , freshly grated
• 4 teaspoons olive oil
• ½-1 teaspoon salt , divided
• 2 garlic cloves , minced
• 4 (6 ounce) cod fish fillets or 4 (6 ounce) other similar fish
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper , freshly ground
• cooking spray

Directions:

1. Combine basil, broth, cheese, oil, 1/2 tsp salt, and garlic in a small bowl.
2. Sprinkle fish with 1/2 tsp salt (I omit) and pepper.
3. Coat a large nonstick pan with cooking spray and heat over medium-high heat.
4. Saute fish for 5 minutes on each side or until it flakes easily with a fork.
5. Spoon basil sauce over fish to serve.

Reviews

[Cook Food Mood]

I followed the recipe dutifully but it somehow lacked the kick I was looking for... that is until I added some white wine to the chicken stock, and even some cognac which made a huge difference! It tasted alot more complex and had more depth in its taste. I had also rubbed the cod fish with salt, pepper and old bays seasoning for added taste prior to baking them in the oven at 180 deg celsius for abt 20 min or so. Kept them warm at 100 deg celsius until my guests were ready for the main dish! Turned out fab!!!

[gtrplyrtom]

IMO, baked in the oven is going to be the preferred way to go here as pan fried would make more of a mess with the cheese BUT, the pan sear with baking to temp would also be fine . In theory, baked parmesan goes very well with baked whitefish. I would say, it depends on the whitefish here, the higher the quality, fresher and less aftertaste it has, the more it will be a canvas for the 'pesto'. I would also watch the amount of liquids being put into the pan when finalizing the basil/cheese topping. I used a food processor to finely chop the basil. Look at all the photos to see the finalized product as the recipe poster intended to appear. I'm going to have to try this one again some once or twice.

[EppiRN]

Excellent! Tasty and easy to make. I used only about 2 tsp olive oil in the sauce, poured it over the fish and covered pan for the last few minutes of cooking. Made a nice, smooth saucy fish as the pesto mixed with the small amount of fish oils in the fry pan. Will definitely make this one again!!!!