A Delicious Surprise!
Have you ever stood in your kitchen, staring at your ingredients, wondering what on earth am I going to make for dinner? That was me the other night. I had some cod fillets in the fridge, a few fresh veggies, and a craving for something simple yet flavorful. So, I turned to ChatGPT for inspiration—and let me tell you, the result was amazing!
This Garlic Butter Baked Cod with Vegetables turned out to be a quick, easy, and delicious meal. The fish was tender, the vegetables were perfectly roasted, and the garlic butter sauce brought everything together. But the one thing I felt could be improved? More sauce!
While the dish was flavorful, I found that once I served it over rice, it needed extra moisture. The cod and veggies were slightly dry on top of the rice, and I wished I had more of that rich, garlicky butter sauce to drizzle over everything. So here’s my solution: double the sauce! Use half on the fish before baking and save the rest to pour over your plated meal. Trust me, it makes all the difference.
Garlic Butter Baked Cod with Vegetables
Serves: 4 | Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cook Time: 15 minutes
Ingredients
For the Cod:
• 4 cod fillets (6–8 oz each, fresh or thawed if frozen)
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 6 tbsp unsalted butter, melted (double the original recipe for extra sauce!)
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp dried parsley (or 2 tsp fresh parsley, chopped)
• Juice of 1 lemon (plus extra lemon wedges for serving)
• Salt and black pepper to taste
For the Vegetables:
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 medium zucchini, sliced into half-moons
• 1 cup green beans, trimmed
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• Optional: 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning or dried oregano for extra flavor
Instructions
1. Preheat the Oven:
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a large baking dish or sheet pan with parchment paper or lightly grease it with olive oil.
2. Prepare the Vegetables:
• In a mixing bowl, combine the cherry tomatoes, zucchini, and green beans.
• Drizzle with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, then season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning (if using). Toss to coat.
• Spread the vegetables evenly on the prepared baking dish, leaving space for the cod fillets.
3. Prepare the Cod:
• Pat the cod fillets dry with a paper towel and place them on the baking dish alongside the vegetables.
• Season both sides of the cod with salt, pepper, and paprika.
4. Make the Garlic Butter Sauce:
• In a small bowl, whisk together the melted butter, olive oil, minced garlic, lemon juice, and parsley.
• Drizzle HALF of the sauce over the cod fillets and vegetables, ensuring everything is well coated.
5. Bake:
• Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 12–15 minutes, or until the cod flakes easily with a fork and the vegetables are tender. (The internal temperature of the cod should reach 145°F or 63°C.)
6. Serve with Extra Sauce:
• Remove from the oven and garnish with additional parsley and lemon wedges.
• Pour the remaining half of the garlic butter sauce over the rice before serving. This step adds so much extra flavor and moisture to the dish!
• Serve warm with a side of rice, quinoa, or crusty bread for a complete meal.
Tips for Success
✅ Custom Veggies: Swap out or add more vegetables, like asparagus, bell peppers, or baby carrots. Just adjust the cooking time for firmer veggies.
✅ Add Some Spice: Sprinkle red pepper flakes on top for a spicy kick.
✅ More Sauce, More Flavor: If you love a saucy dish, you could even triple the sauce and save some for dipping crusty bread!
This meal was an unexpected winner—simple, healthy, and packed with flavor. Doubling the sauce took it from good to absolutely perfect. If you ever find yourself staring at your ingredients with no idea what to make, try this recipe. And if you do, let me know how it turns out!
—— Chandee
Dandychandee 