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Cod (or labardan) belongs to the cod family and has excellent taste characteristics. Experts consider this product to be one of the most useful fish.
Dishes prepared on the basis of cod meat can not only diversify the daily diet, but improve physical health too. What is so useful about this fish, and how to cook it in the best way?
Benefits for health
The presence of vitamins, a large amount of minerals, proteins, amino acids and fatty acids makes cod meat very useful. Regular consumption of this fish will help normalize the functioning of the entire human body and prevent the development of a number of dangerous diseases.
Tasty cod meat and cod liver contains a full range of active substances that positively affect the activity of the cardiovascular and central nervous system.
The inclusion of boiled, fried, baked cod in the menu improves overall well-being, as well as raising vitality.
Using cod in cooking
Chefs around the world use cod to create gastronomic masterpieces. Due to its unique taste and bright aroma, cod allows you to improve the taste of any dish.
You can bake this fish in the oven, fry, cook in a slow cooker or in a steamer. Cod is suitable for preparing all kinds of soups, rolls, casseroles, cutlets and even salads.
It is perfectly combined with almost all vegetables, rice, beans, cheese, herbs, various seafood, mushrooms, seasonings and spices.
What does cod taste like?
Cod is a valuable fish in many countries of the world. What is the main reason? A number of factors have combined in this issue – an affordable price, an incredible aroma and a unique taste.
The peculiarity of cod meat is its density, tenderness and low calorie content (only about 70 kcal per 100 gr.). Despite this, cod has a bright taste. Although the fishy taste and smell are pronounced, you can soften them with marinades, spices and pre-soaking.
Types of Cod
You can find many types of cod on the shelves of stores. But are they all suitable for use in cooking? Let’s figure everything out. Among the most common types of cod you can find the following:
- Atlantic cod. This is the most famous kind of fish, perfectly suitable for eating. Another advantage is accessibility in stores.
- Pacific cod. This is a less significant type from a commercial point of view with a dim taste. Cooks use it less often to prepare dishes.
- Greenland cod. This fish lives off the coast of the world’s largest island. The main drawback is the complexity of transportation and the complexity of mining.
Main ingredients for fried cod
To fry cod, you will need a number of basic ingredients. Among them:
- Cod fillet. Choose fresh pieces of medium thickness. Rinse them with cold water and rub them with spices.
- Spices and seasonings. The most optimal options are cayenne pepper, thyme, cumin, salt and pepper.
- Olive oil. This is a necessary ingredient for pan frying and the formation of a crispy crust on the fillet.
- Lemon juice. It helps to give the fish a bright taste, as well as remove the rich fish flavor.
Is Fried Cod Good for Weight Loss?
Cod is a great choice for any diet. The caloric content, depending on the method of cooking, can vary from 80 to 170 kcal /100 grams.
Cod may be a good source of iodine, without which the normal functioning of the thyroid gland is impossible. In turn, this organ regulates metabolism and is directly related to the process of weight loss and weight gain.
Even in fried form, cod remains a product that promotes weight loss.
Do you soak cod before cooking?
Cod has a bright fishy taste and high humidity. To solve these problems, pre-soak the fish in cold water. The average soaking time can vary from 12 to 24 hours. It is also important to change the water periodically.
The liquid is saturated with a fishy smell and eventually begins to saturate the filet with it. That is why water replacement is very important in the pre-soaking of cod.
How to Turn cod fish into Dinner
You can easily cook a variety of cod dishes for dinner. Among the possible options: baked, stewed, fried and roasted fish. However, experts advise in the case of cod to opt for a fried dish.
So you will get juicy fish with a crispy crust. Here it is important to pay attention to the processing of cod. Initially, rinse the fillet with water and leave it to defrost.
When the fillet is completely thawed, dry it with a paper towel. You need the fillet pieces to be approximately the same thickness — in this case they will be ready when frying at the same time.
How to fry cod fish with cornmeal
Cod fried in flour is a great option for dinner. To repeat such a dish, prepare the necessary ingredients:
- cod fillet – 700-800 gr
- flour mixture – 4 tbsp
- garlic salt, cayenne pepper, lemon juice – to taste
- onion powder (or garlic powder) – to taste
- potatoes – 700 gr
- oil for frying – to taste
Step-by-step technology of preparation:
- Cut the cod fillet into portions, sprinkle with lemon juice. Add salt and pepper.
- Dip the cod fillet in corn flour. In the absence of flour, you can soften the bread crumbs.
- Heat a pan skillet and fry the pieces in vegetable oil until golden brown.
How to make tender cod in the air fryer
Another effective way to make tender fish fillets is to use an air fryer. You will need a few basic ingredients: frozen cod, eggs, beer, flour, lemon juice, salt and pepper.
Further, it all depends on your attentiveness. Deep fried cod fillet or “fish in dough” is a simple dish, not very expensive and extremely tasty. And most importantly – the air fryer helps to get the most tender and fragrant meat.
Just prepare buttered fish and drop the product into the deep-frying basket. To minimize the amount of fat in this dish, it is enough not to “boil” the fish in oil, but pour it up to half of the portioned cod pieces.
Old bay cod recipe
Bay leaf perfectly reflects the taste of fish. There are many similar cod recipes, but professional chefs advise preparing a dish with tomato paste.
For this recipe you will need the following ingredients:
- cod – 700 g
- tomatoes in their own juice – 400 g
- onions – 2 pcs
- carrots – 1 pc
- lemon juice – 11-2 tsp
- salt and pepper – to taste
- sugar – 1 tsp
- bay leaf – 1 pc
- gluten free flour – 2-3 tbsp
- vegetable oil – 3-4 tbsp
- dried basil and dill – to taste
Step-by-step cooking technology:
- Cut the cod into large pieces, sprinkle with lemon juice. Add salt and pepper. Then bread fillets in flour and pan fry them in vegetable oil until golden brown.
- In a saucepan, saute the diced onion and pre-chopped carrots.
- As soon as the vegetables become soft, add the pureed tomatoes (without the skin), salt, sugar, bay leaf, basil and dill to them. Simmer uncovered, stirring, until thickened. If the sauce is too thick in consistency, add some water.
- Place the pieces of crispy fried fish in a heat-resistant form and pour over the resulting tomato sauce. Top with foil and send to the oven for 20 minutes.
- After cooking, let the dish stand for 10 minutes so that the sauce is better absorbed into the fish. Serve immediately or wait until completely cool.
Marinades for cod
Before baking, it is advisable to marinate the cod carcass for a short time. This should be done with the help of white wine, lemon juice or apple cider vinegar.
To neutralize the fishy smell, place the cod in the brine. In order to reduce the mineral salts in the fish, which in excess give the dish a bitter taste and negatively affect the state of the body, leave the cod in milk for a couple of hours.
Cod for fish and chips
Another good option for a snack would be fish and chips. But can you use cod as fresh fish for this dish? Chefs say that the bright taste of cod is perfect for such a unique snack.
Among the main ingredients, prepare potatoes, cod fillets, flour, starch and salt. Cut the fish into portions. Mix flour, starch and salt for batter in a shallow bowl.
Next, prepare the potato wedges and fry all the ingredients on a skillet. Fish and chips are ready, glad you enjoyed this great beer snack.
How to know when the cod fillets are cooked
There are many ways to know if the cod is ready or not. The first way to determine readiness – when you press the flesh, the cod should spring slightly.
Also, the flesh of the cooked fish, when sampled with a fork, should be separated from the spine. Another way to check if the fish is done is to look at the eyes.
When the cod’s eyes turn white and protrude, this is a sign that the fish is ready. The last indicator: the readiness of the fish is determined by the softening of the dorsal fin. If the fin comes off easily, the fish is cooked.
Spices that go with pan fried cod
Each pan fried cod recipe involves the use of a certain number of spices and seasonings. To smooth out the rich taste of white fish, just add black pepper, a little garlic and dried or fresh herbs.
So you get fragrant fish and delicious broth. For lovers of spices and for making fish crispy, there are other options.
Season the dish with pepper, nutmeg, paprika and basil. In some cases you can attach a sprig of rosemary to the finished product.
What does fried cod go with?
Lean fish like cod, zander, and mullet go well with potatoes and vegetables. Thicker side dishes are also suitable – french fries, a salad with vinegar dressing, or crumbly rice.
A side dish for a fried fish recipe should match the main course in texture and aroma, so it is advisable to use spices and seasonings of the same direction.
If spices typical of the Mediterranean or, for example, Indian spices were used in the preparation of fish, use them in a side dish too. So for sure it will be possible to avoid contradictions in the taste of the finished dish.
Best sauces for fried cod
When your cod is ready and the garnish is chosen, it’s time to decide on the right sauce. Professional chefs advise considering the following options:
- Tomato sauce. For cooking, you will need tomatoes, fish broth, a bunch of parsley, onions, carrots, flour, butter, vegetable oil, and spices. This sauce is especially suitable for deep frying.
- Lemon sauce. Everyone knows that lemon is an amazing addition to fish. For this sauce, you will need an egg, lemon wedges, mustard, butter, water, and spices.
- Sour cream sauce. This simple and pleasant sauce goes equally well with white and red fish. To prepare it, you will need sour cream, soy sauce, lemon, dill, parsley, and a handful of walnuts.
- Tartar sauce. You can use store-bought sauce or make your own. For cooking at home, you only need mayonnaise and green onions. This sauce is best with fish sticks and tender cod loins.
Mistakes everyone makes when cooking fried cod
There are a number of mistakes that can get in the way of making delicious and tender cod. Among them:
- You have chosen the wrong cookware. Stainless steel or cast iron pan skillets are much better for frying fish than non-stick ones.
- Too much moisture. Be sure to pat the fish dry with paper towels before frying, dipping in the marinade, or rubbing with salt and spices. Excess moisture will prevent the formation of a crust.
- You don’t let the pan get hot enough. If the finished fish sticks to the pan and falls apart, then you did not heat the dishes enough before frying. And maybe you placed the fish on a cooling rack.
Crucial tips
In order to fry cod deliciously, you need to remember a few simple rules:
- Before cooking, completely defrost and dry the meat – naturally or blot it with a paper towel. Defrosting should be carried out in the refrigerator.
- The pungent smell will go away if you pre-soak the fish in a weak acidic solution. You can also use vinegar or lemon juice.
Do not overexpose the cod on the stove or in the oven so that the meat does not become dry.
- After cooking, cover the dish and let it rest for 15-20 minutes – this will give the fish juiciness.
Verdict
Cod is an excellent fish for preparing main dishes and snacks. This product has a bright taste, which allows you to get real gastronomic masterpieces.
Just carefully read all the intricacies of cooking cod and start incorporating it into your diet. In addition, don’t forget to choose the right side dishes and sauces to serve. Good luck!