Fried Cod

Beginner Cook - Short Cooking Time - Main Course - Fish

Growing up in landlocked Switzerland, my exposure to fish during my formative years was limited. Other than fish sticks, salmon teriyaki, and the occasional butter poached perch from lake Geneva, fish was a complete mystery to me. As a result, until recently, the thought of cooking it was daunting.  Will it be overcooked? Undercooked? Will it taste too "fishy"? I truly didn't know where to begin. Thankfully, my time in the Mediterranean changed all of that. 

In Greece, cod is typically sold dried and salted. Once rehydrated, and baked or fried, it is often paired with skordalia, a type of garlic potato purée (recipe coming soon). This pairing in particular, plays a significant role in the country's religious observances and is consumed broadly on Palm Sunday, March 25th, and August 6th.

This recipe assumes that you are using an unsalted fresh or frozen cod and is also well suited for other mild white fish such as bass or grouper. If you happen to end up with leftovers, don't hesitate to refrigerate them. The cold fish topped with some mayo makes for a delicious sandwich.

Ingredients (Serves 4)

• 2 pounds fish fillets
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup and 3 tablespoons water*
• a pinch (less than 1/8 of a teaspoon) baking powder
• 1.5 teaspoons salt
• 2 cups extra virgin olive oil**

* Ratio of water to flour will vary depending on the brand of flour. See comments regarding batter consistency in the preparation steps below
** Amount of olive oil will depend on the width of the pan. The oil should be approximately 1 inch deep

Time - 30 minutes

• Preparation - 15 minutes*
• Cooking - 15 minutes

*minimum recommended time. See comment in preparation steps below

Preparation

• Sprinkle the salt over the cod and let sit for at least 15 minutes. We typically let the fish sit for 45 minutes but if you are short on time, you can reduce to 15

• Once you are ready to fry the fish, heat the olive oil in a pan over medium-high heat
• While the oil is heating, combine the water, flour, and baking powder in a bowl and mix well. The consistency should resemble a thick pancake batter​
• Once your oil is hot, dip the fish filets in the batter, and fry on each side for 3-5 minutes until golden brown

• When removing the fish from the pan, place on a plate lined with paper towels or brown paper to absorb the excess oil

• Serve immediately