Golden Cod with Pistachio-Orange Crust over Creamy Leek Lentils
🌙 Dinners
Intermediate

Golden Cod with Pistachio-Orange Crust over Creamy Leek Lentils

An elegant yet comforting dinner: cod fillets baked with a crunchy pistachio, orange zest, and herb crust, served over silky lentils cooked with leek, garlic, and a touch of cream. Original, balanced, and perfect for a special night without too much fuss.

20 minPrep
30 minCook
50 minTotal
4Servings
High Protein

Ingredients

Adjust servings
4
  • 4 600 g cod fillets (5 oz cada uno)
  • 500 g cooked lentils (escurridas si son of conserva)
  • 1 180 g leek (solo the parte blanca and verde claro, sliced finas)
  • 3 cloves garlic (chopped)
  • 1 1 unit orange (4 tbsp de zumo)
  • 60 g pistachios (pelados and finely chopped)
  • 15 g fresh parsley (chopped)
  • 40 g breadcrumbs (preferiblemente fino)
  • 30 g butter (divided)
  • 80 ml heavy cream (or cream espesa)
  • 240 ml vegetable broth (low sodium if possible)
  • 30 ml olive oil (divided)
  • 10 g Dijon mustard (for ayudar a fijar the crust)
  • 1 g dried thyme
  • 5 g salt (or to taste)
  • 2 g black pepper (freshly ground)

Nutrition facts

per serving

520 kcal
Calories
38 g
Protein
28 g
Carbs
29 g
Fat
7 g
Fiber
21 g
Net carbs

Approximate nutritional information. Estimated from the recipe’s ingredients and amounts, using standard reference nutrition values. It may vary with brands, sizes and cooking method. For guidance only; not a substitute for medical or dietary advice.

Allergens

GlutenDairyTree NutsFishMustard

Instructions

  1. 1

    Preheat the oven to 220 °C / 425 °F. Line a small baking tray with parchment paper or lightly grease it with a little of the olive oil.

  2. 2

    In a bowl, combine the chopped pistachios, breadcrumbs, parsley, orange zest, dried thyme, 1/4 teaspoon salt, black pepper, and 15 g melted butter (1 tbsp). Stir until the mixture is loose but slightly moist.

  3. 3

    Pat the cod fillets dry with paper towels. Brush the top of each fillet with Dijon mustard and place them on the tray. Press the pistachio mixture onto each fillet to create an even crust. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon olive oil.

  4. 4

    Bake the cod for 12 to 15 minutes at 220 °C / 425 °F, or until the fish flakes easily with a fork and the crust is golden.

  5. 5

    Meanwhile, heat the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil with the remaining 15 g butter (1 tbsp) in a wide skillet over medium heat. Add the leek and cook for 5 minutes, stirring, until tender. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds more.

  6. 6

    Add the cooked lentils, vegetable broth, orange juice, and heavy cream. Cook for 6 to 8 minutes over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the liquid reduces slightly and the lentils become creamy. Season with the remaining salt to taste.

  7. 7

    Spoon the creamy lentils onto each plate and place a crusted cod fillet on top. Finish with a little extra parsley if desired and serve immediately.

Chef tips

For an extra-crispy crust, you can broil the cod for 1 to 2 minutes at the end, watching closely so the pistachios do not burn. If your cooked lentils are already very soft, reduce the simmering time so they do not fall apart.

Substitutions

You can substitute the cod with hake or halibut. Pistachios can be replaced with almonds if preferred. For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free breadcrumbs. The cream can be swapped for a plant-based cooking cream, though the result will be less rich, and it will no longer contain dairy if you also replace the butter.

What I used to make it

Generic kitchen tools that work for this recipe. You don’t need to buy anything to make it.

  • Illustrative image: Air fryerIllustrative image

    Cosori Pro LE 5 Qt Air Fryer

    Browning and baking with little oil

    • Browns food with very little oil
    • Handy for vegetables, chicken and reheating
    • Check the basket capacity
    View on Amazon
  • Illustrative image: Digital kitchen thermometerIllustrative image

    TempPro TP19H Digital Thermometer

    Checking doneness of meat and chicken

    • Checks doneness of meat and chicken
    • Quick reading
    • Clean the probe after each use
    View on Amazon
  • Illustrative image: Non-stick frying panIllustrative image

    T-fal Ultimate Hard Anodized 12" Non-Stick Pan

    Eggs, omelets and stir-fries

    • Eggs and omelets that don’t stick
    • Comfortable, sturdy handle
    • Use wooden or silicone utensils
    View on Amazon

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