Treat your taste buds to a burst of flavor with our “Pan Fried Cod in Citrus Basil Butter Sauce” recipe. Succulent cod fillets are delicately pan-fried and served in a luscious sauce infused with the bright zest of citrus and the aromatic essence of basil. It’s a dish that’s both elegant and easy to make, perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
2 (8 oz) white cod filets
1 lemon
½ cup olive oil (divided)
3 tbsp unsalted butter
1 tsp light brown sugar
Salt and black pepper
Fresh basil
Ingredient Swaps
Substitute the butter for margarine or vegan butter.
Opt for wild-caught Pacific cod that is sustainably managed and responsibly harvested.
Swap the brown sugar for maple syrup or agave.
Instructions
Lay the cod filets in a baking dish.
Zest 1 orange and the lemon, then add to the fish.
Squeeze the juice from the orange and lemon and drizzle over the top of the fish.
Add ¼ cup of olive oil to the pan and cover. Let the fish marinate for at least one hour.
Preheat oven to 250°F.
Heat the remaining ¼ cup of olive oil in a large, oven-safe sauté pan.
Carefully shake off excess marinade from the fish and keep it on the side.
Pop the fish into a frying pan and season with salt and pepper.
Cook over medium heat for about 3-4 minutes on each side.
Place the pan into the oven to keep the fish warm while you prepare the sauce.
Melt 2 tbsps of butter in a pan, add in sugar and your leftover marinade.
Slice the remaining orange and add the juice into the pan, and then bring it to a boil
Whisk the sauce until it becomes thick and reduces in volume by about half.
Add about ¼ cup of shredded basil along with the remaining 1 tbsp of butter and whisk until melted.
Pull the fish out of the oven and spoon the thickened sauce over the top.
COOKING TIME: 35 minutes
TOTAL TIME: 50 minutes
PREP TIME: 15 minutes
SERVINGS: 4