Baked panko cod with lemon butter sauce... or posh fish and chips?! Top the fish with a super tasty and crispy panko mixture, bake, then melt a light butter lemon 'sauce' around it. If it sounds fancy to you, you'd be right. This is such an easy and delicious meal that's equally as perfect for a midweek meal for the family or a classy meal for guests. Sooo yummy and easy served with homemade chunky chips/fries... and ready in just 45 minutes!
Spray a medium sized baking dish or oven proof pan e.g. cast iron with olive oil to prevent sticking. Place the fish into the dish/pan skin-side down (if the fish has skin).
3 ounces cod
Preheat the oven to 410F/210C. Then put the potatoes into a large pot of salted water and bring to the boil. Boil for 2 minutes, drain and let steam. Alternatively, boil for 10 minutes in water that's already boiling.
4 medium potatoes
Empty the drained potatoes onto a large baking sheet lined with baking paper. Drizzle with olive oil and toss with your hands. Bake in one layer for around 30 minutes or until cooked through, golden, and a little crispy.
2 tablespoons olive oil
Meanwhile, combine the panko crumbs, lemon zest, basil, parmesan/other cheese, garlic powder and paprika (if using), salt and pepper in a small bowl.
¼ cup breadcrumbs, 1 lemon, 2 tablespoons fresh basil, 1 ounce parmesan cheese, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon paprika, ⅓ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon pepper, 1 tablespoon olive oil
Pile half of the panko mixture onto the top of each of the fish fillets in the baking dish/pan. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes - just until the flesh has turned completely white. The inside of the fish should be at least 145F/63C (check with a meat thermometer if you like).
Quickly melt the butter around the fish while it's still in the pan. Then add the lemon juice and swirl a little with a spatula or wooden spoon to combine.
Serve the crispy cod and sauce immediately with the cooked chips/fries and a side of frozen peas (if you like). Scatter a little more fresh basil over the top if you like.
frozen peas
Video
Notes
Making the recipe for 4: You could easily make this for four by cooking four fish filets instead of two and doubling all of the other ingredients too.About the fish: While this recipe is for cod, it works just as well with any other white fish fillets. I'm in Australia and love barramundi! Use whichever white fish is most readily available where you live, if you like.You can use fish with skin on or without. If using frozen fish, defrost in the fridge overnight before beginning the recipe. Ingredients substitutions: No panko? Use ordinary breadcrumbs, crushed crackers, crushed cereal or even crushed pretzels instead. The results will not be exactly the same as with panko, but your crispy baked cod will still be very delicious!No garlic powder/paprika/basil/parmesan? As long as you have a lemon and some panko crumbs or a substitution, you can make the topping with whichever dried herbs you have. No problem if you want to skip one or more of the ingredients in the topping.