Shopping for fish can be intimidating. Maybe it’s the fact that half of them are staring at you from behind the counter, as if to say, “Jeez, how did I end up here? “ So, if you’re going to do them—and yourself——justice, here’s how to rustle up a fine, fresh fillet. You need to use your eyes and your nose. Look for a cut where the flesh is moist and glistening, with no flat, brown edges. If the fish looks dull, take a pass. Same goes for any fillet with a fishy or ammonia smell. Don’t be shy about asking your fishmonger a few questions, like when the fish came in and from where. Most stores have regular shipments; knowing that schedule in advance can help you plan when to have fish. If black cod were in a band, it would be the bass player: steady, meaty, but not much of a soloist. It benefits from some jazzy front men and especially likes to swing with citrus high notes. You’ll find plenty of those riffs in this dish.
Recipe information
Yield
serves 4
Ingredients
Preparation
Step 1
In a small bowl or glass measuring cup, whisk together the orange juice, lime juice, lemon juice, olive oil, orange zest, lemon zest, ginger, and cayenne. Place the cod in a baking dish and season each piece with 1/8 teaspoon of the salt. Pour half of the orange juice mixture over the cod and turn to coat well. Cover and marinate in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
Step 2
Preheat the oven to 400°F.
Step 3
Remove the cod from the refrigerator, uncover, and add 2 tablespoons of water to the bottom of the dish. Bake just until the fillets are tender and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center of each fillet registers 137°F; it will take 10 to 15 minutes, depending on the thickness of the fillets.
Step 4
Meanwhile, combine the remaining orange juice mixture and the mustard in a small saucepan over medium heat and simmer until the liquid is reduced by half. Pour the reduction over the fillets, sprinkle with the parsley, and serve immediately.
rebecca’s notes
Step 5
This versatile, delicious marinade is great with other fish, such as sea bass, salmon, and halibut. These flavors also pair nicely with Warm Napa Cabbage Slaw (page 92).
Step 6
You can also cook the fish on a grill. Wipe the marinade off the fillets and rub them with 1 teaspoon of light sesame oil. Grill over low, even heat for about 4 minutes per side, until the flesh is opaque and flakes easily and the center of each fillet registers 137°F.
storage
Step 7
Store tightly wrapped in an airtight container in the refrigerator
Step 8
for 1 to 2 days.
nutrition information
Step 9
(per serving)
Step 10
Calories: 130
Step 11
Total Fat: 4.3g (0.7g saturated, 2.6g monounsaturated)
Step 12
Carbohydrates: 5g
Step 13
Protein: 18g
Step 14
Fiber: 0g
Step 15
Sodium: 370mg
