Sichuan Braised Cod Recipes

SICHUAN BRAISED COD

Steps:

• In a small bowl, mix the 2 tsp corn starch with the 2 Tbsp rice vinegar.
• Add the chicken broth, soy sauce, and ketchup.
• Season the fish with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp pepper.
• Spread the 1/2 cup of corn starch on a wide plate.
• Put the eggs in a bowl wide enough to dip the largest pice of cod.
• Dredge the fish in the corn starch.
• Heat 2 Tbsp of oil in a 12 inch non-stick pan over medium high heat until shimmering.
• Move each piece of cod from the corn starch to the egg to coat, then put into the pan.
• Cook on the first side for 3 minutes, then turning the fish, until brown on all sides and a little firm to the touch (total cooking time will be about 5 minutes) -- it should NOT be cooked all the way through.
• Transfer the fish to a large plate.
• Add the remaining 1 Tbsp of oil to the pan, let it warm up, then add the chiles, the white parts of the scallion, and the ginger. Stir fry for 2 ;minutes, until the scallions become translucent, with some brown spots.
• Stir the corn starch and vinegar mixture, then pour it into the pan and stir. The sauce should come to a boil and thicken.
• Reduce the heat to medium low, return the fish to the pan, and flip it to coat all the pieces uniformly with sauce. Cover the pan, with the lid slightly ajar, and cook for 3-5 minutes, until the fish is cooked fully and starting to flake.
• Taste the sauce and re-season with salt and pepper if necessary.
• Put the fish on a serving plate (or individual plates) and garnish with the scallion greens.

BRAISED COD WITH CHICKPEAS

Steps:

• If canned chickpeas are used, rinse and drain them. Combine the cooked or canned chickpeas in a saucepan with the garlic, peppers or flakes, 3 tablespoons of the olive oil, and 1/4 cup of water. Bring the liquid to a simmer, cover the pot, and simmer for 20 minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
• Remove and discard the whole peppers, if you used them. Add the cumin to the chickpeas and spread half the mixture in the bottom of a 9-inch-square baking dish. Place the fish on top, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and finish with the remaining chickpeas. Drizzle the remaining 3 tablespoons of olive oil over the top. Cover and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes, until the fish is just flaky but not falling apart; check after 20 minutes.
• Serve the fish hot or warm, garnished with cilantro or parsley and lemon wedges.

QUICK-BRAISED COD WITH HERBED YOGURT

Steps:

• Season fish with salt and pepper and set aside.
• In a large skillet with a lid, melt butter in olive oil over medium heat. Add shallot, thyme and a pinch of salt and pepper and cook until golden, about 3 minutes. Add wine and cook until slightly thickened and shallot is very soft, about 2 minutes longer.
• Add cod to pan, spoon some of the shallots over top of fish and cover pan. Reduce heat as needed; the liquid should be at a simmer, not a boil. Cook until fillets are just opaque, 2 to 4 minutes.
• Meanwhile, in a small bowl mix together yogurt, dill, garlic, and salt and pepper to taste.
• Serve the cod immediately, topped with shallots, yogurt sauce and dill. Drizzle everything with a little more olive oil, and sprinkle with flaky salt and more pepper.

BRAISED COD WITH CHICKPEAS

Steps:

• If using canned chickpeas, rinse and drain them.
• Combine the cooked or canned chickpeas in a saucepan with the garlic, peppers (or pepper flakes), 3 tablespoons of olive oil, and 1/4 cup of water, bring to a simmer, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 400°F.
• Remove and discard the red peppers.
• Add the cumin to the chickpeas and spread half the chickpea mixture in the bottom of a 9" square baking dish.
• Place the fish on top, sprinkle with salt and pepper, cover the fish with the remaining chickpeas, drizzle the remaining olive oil over the top.
• Cover the baking dish and bake for 30 minutes until the fish is just flaky but not falling apart (check after 20 minutes).
• Serve hot, garnished with sprigs of parsley or cilantro and lemon wedges.