Mild, flaky cod is often served “New England style,” cloaked in a velvety sauce made from cream and butter. We liked the idea of bathing this lean white, mineral-rich fish in a flavorful liquid but could do without all the butter. A Thai-style approach drew upon the flavors of coconut soup to build a lush, aromatic broth seasoned with lemon grass, ginger, garlic, fish sauce, and lime. Poaching the cod in this broth ensured the flavors infused the fish and allowed it to cook gently and evenly. Mild leeks and sweet carrots complemented the delicate cod, a little coconut milk added richness, and a garnish of peanuts, cilantro, and a serrano chile added welcome color, aroma, and crunch. Best of all, this dish came together quickly and in just one pan, making it an elegant but weeknight-friendly meal. If you can’t find a serrano chile, substitute a red Fresno chile. You can use light coconut milk, but the broth will be noticeably thinner and less rich. You can substitute haddock or halibut for the cod.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon expeller-pressed canola oil
- 1 leek, white and light green parts only, halved lengthwise, sliced thin, and washed thoroughly
- Salt and pepper
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
- 1 cup water
- 2 carrots, peeled and cut into 2-inch-long matchsticks
- 1 10-inch stalk lemon grass, tough outer leaves removed and bruised with back of knife
- 4 (4- to 6-ounce) skinless cod fillets, 1 to 1½ inches thick
- 0.33 cup canned coconut milk
- 1 tablespoon lime juice, plus lime wedges for serving
- 1 teaspoon fish sauce
- 2 tablespoons chopped dry-roasted peanuts
- 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro leaves
- 1 serrano chile, stemmed and sliced thin
- Heat oil in 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Add leek and ½ teaspoon salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned, 4 to 6 minutes. Stir in garlic and ginger and cook uncovered until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
- Stir in water, carrots, and lemon grass and bring to simmer. Pat cod dry with paper towels and season with salt and pepper. Nestle fish into skillet and bring to simmer. Cover, reduce heat to low, and cook until fish flakes apart when gently prodded with paring knife and registers 140 degrees, 8 to 12 minutes.
- Carefully transfer fish to individual shallow bowls. Discard lemon grass. Using slotted spoon, divide leeks and carrots evenly among bowls. Off heat, whisk coconut milk, lime juice, and fish sauce into broth and season with salt and pepper to taste. Ladle broth over fish. Sprinkle with peanuts, cilantro, and chile. Serve with lime wedges.
| Nutrition Facts |
Serving Size 1 |
Nutritional Value Per Serving | Calories 230 kcal Calories from Fat: 99 kcal |
|
% Daily Value*
|
| Total Fat 11 g 31% |
Saturated Fat 4.5 g 23% |
Trans Fat 0.0 g |
Cholesterol 50 mg 17% |
Sodium 470 mg 8% |
carbohydrates 11 g 8% |
Dietary Fiber 2 g 5% |
Sugars 3 g 3% |
Protein 23 g 46% |
* Above mentioned %DVs (Percent Daily Values) are based on 2,000 calorie food intake.
DVs (Daily values) may be vary depending upon individuals daily calorie needs. Above nutritional values are estimates and should only be used as a guide for approximation. They are not allfoodchef.com recommendations. Calculations are based on average weight of 194 lbs. and ages of 19 to 50 years. |
