Mediterranean Crusted Cod

Made this the other night – mostly out of stuff I just had laying around.  Very good flavor, really simple to make.  Cod is a very bland fish, and readily takes to strong flavors – the combination of the hummus and the olives with the crunchy breadcrumbs was awesome.  I served it over wilted spinach and sautéed mushrooms, with some cous-cous.  Give it a try!

Ingredients:

1lb fresh cod

3 tbs roasted red pepper hummus

1 pkg sliced mushrooms, divided

½ bag fresh spinach

½ cup panko bread crumbs

2 tsp butter, melted

3 tbs butter, reserved

1 tsp garlic powder

8 kalamata olives, minced fine

1 tsp lemon zest

1 tbs lemon juice

Instructions:

Pre heat oven to 375 degrees

Finely mince about 8 or 9 of the mushrooms.

In a small bowl, mix bread crumbs, butter, mushrooms, ½ lemon zest, and olives until well combined.

Lightly brush a 9x12 baking dish with olive oil.  Place fish in dish.  Evenly coat the fish with the hummus.  Spread bread crumb mixture over the hummus.   Place fish in oven, and bake for about 20 minutes, or until crust is lightly browned, and fish flakes with a fork.

While fish is cooking, sauté the mushrooms in reserved butter, with a sprinkle of garlic powder for about 2 or 3 minutes, until slightly softened.  Remove mushrooms from pan, add spinach, lemon zest, lemon juice, and a sprinkle of garlic.  Gently toss spinach till bright green, and still somewhat firm.  Add mushrooms, combine, and remove from heat.

Serve fish over spinach, with a side of cous cous.

Herb Crusted Oven Roasted Salmon with Asparagus

This is by far my favorite way to make Salmon – a fish of which I am not overly fond.  When cooked this way, the fish is nice and tender, not at all fishy, and the crust is nice and crunchy.  An extra bonus is this is about as simple a dish to prepare as there is!  Simply throw it all in one dish, and throw it in the oven for 20 minutes….

Here it is:

Ingredients:

1 lb fillet of salmon

1 bunch asparagus, cleaned.

About 1 tbs of EACH of the following herbs:

Basil, Oregano, Dill, Cilantro, Garlic Powder, Thyme, Lemongrass ( optional), Old Bay seasoning

3 tbs Extra Virgin Olive Oil, divided

Instructions:

Pre heat oven to 400 degrees

Lightly brush a 9 or 11 inch square baking dish with oil. ( make sure there is a couple of inches of empy space around all 4 sides of the fish)  Place filet in dish, skin side down.   Brush fish with olive oil.  Season with salt and pepper.  Evenly sprinkle each of the herbs over the salmon, building up a nice layer of herbs.  Finish with the Old Bay. 

Evenly spread the asparagus around the fish in the pan, and brush with olive oil.  Sprinkle with garlic powder, salt and pepper.

Place fish in oven, and roast for 20 minutes, or until crust is crunchy, and fish flakes with a fork.  Asparagus will be done at the same time.

Serve with rice, or cous – cous.

Bon Appetite!