There is a Polish proverb that says, “Fish, to taste right, must swim three times – in water, in butter, and in wine.” That’s exactly what this cod does. It swam in the sea (water), is seared in butter, then lightly poached in white wine and served with rice.
Here’s how you do it:
Pat the cod fillets dry,
then gently rub the spices on both sides.
Melt 1/2 cup of the butter in a heavy skillet over medium heat until it’s just softly brown.
Lay the fish and one sprig of fresh basil in the butter. Sear the fish on both sides.
Add the wine and reduce heat to medium low. Simmer, gently for about 3-5 minutes, or until fish flakes easily.
Remove the fish with a slotted spoon to a plate and keep warm.
Continue simmering the sauce until it’s reduced by about a fourth. You should have about 3/4 of the liquid remaining.
In a small saucepan, melt the remaining butter, then add the flour. Heat, stirring constantly, until the flour is lightly browned.
Stir the flour mixture into the wine and butter in the skillet and mix well. Some good wine choices are riesling (what I used), pinot gris, or sauvignon blanc.
Add the half and half and whisk, cooking until the sauce thickens.
Put the cod back into the pan until it’s heated through. Add salt and pepper to taste.
Serve hot with hot rice and topped with chopped fresh basil.
This recipe is so easy and it can be used with any kind of fish fillets or wine.
© Copyright 2022 The Lazy Gastronome
Seared in butter, then poached in wine, this delicate dish is easy and elegant.
- 4 medium to large Cod Fillets
- 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 2-3 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon lemon pepper
- 5/8 cup butter
- 2 cups semi-sweet white wine (good options: Riesling, Pinot Gris, or Sauvignon Blanc.)
- 1/4 cup flour
- 1 cup half and half
- 3-4 large whole stems of fresh basil
-
Pat the cod fillets dry, then gently rub the spices on both sides.
-
Melt 1/2 cup of the butter in a heavy skillet over medium heat until it's just softly brown.
-
Lay the fish and one sprig of fresh basil in the butter. Sear the fish on both sides.
-
Add the wine and reduce heat to medium low. Simmer, gently for about 3-5 minutes, or until fish flakes easily.
-
Remove the fish with a slotted spoon to a plate and keep warm.
-
Continue simmering the sauce until reduced by about a fourth.
-
In a small saucepan, melt the remaining butter, then add the flour. Heat, stirring constantly, until the flour is lightly browned.
-
Stir into the wine and butter in the skillet and mix well.
-
Add the half and half and whisk, cooking until the sauce thickens.
-
Put the cod back into the pan until it's heated through. Add salt and pepper to taste.
-
Serve hot with hot rice and topped with chopped fresh basil.
© Copyright 2022 The Lazy Gastronome
Â
Any type of fish or wine can be used.Â
Here are some things that are perfect to use for this recipe or to give as a gift!
Disclosure: The items below are affiliate links through Amazon.com. If you purchase any of these products through the links, I receive a small commission at no cost to you. Thanks for your support!
The cod was so good, I loved the buttery wine and will make again!
What a tasty winning dish!
Such a simple, delicious recipe! I used it on halibut and it was a hit!! Will try it with cod next.
Love the addition of smoked paprika and lemon pepper! Great combo.
Such a good and tasty dish. Perfect for lunch or dinner ideas.
Thank you!
love how simple and delicious this dish turned out. so good!
Love the flavors of this dish!
This looks delish! And I’m loving the Polish proverb. LOL.
Easy and delicious!
We loved this wine sauce!!! I’ll be making this cod recipe again soon!!!
Yeah! Glad you liked it! Thanks for stopping by.
Simple and great for a quick dinner!
I strive for simple! Thanks so much for your feedback – have a fabulous day.
Everyone loved this! Such and easy recipe to follow and tasted delicious. I will definitely be making it again.
That’s awesome! Thanks so much for your thoughts.
I am not good at cooking fish but I love fish so decided to give your recipe a try which just came out perfect and so delicious. Finally a fish recipe I can make!!!!!
Thank you!! I’m so glad to hear it came out good – Thanks for stopping by!
This is easy to make and is an elegant dish to serve to company. The flavors are delicious!
Glad you enjoyed it! thanks for sharing your thoughts!
I made it at home, and this is so easy and delicious.
My husband loves it so much!
Thank you for your kind words – and thanks for stopping by!
I love cod and the buttery sauce sounds delicious.
The flavors really melded. Thanks for stopping by!
This was the best cod I’ve ever made! And the sauce is so flavorful!
Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for stopping by.
What a delicious recipe. Thank you for sharing!
Superb! Easy and incredibly delicious!!
How delicious was this meal?? Will be making it again for sure!
Adding this to my dinner recipe ideas – so good!
So buttery and delicious! Loved how flavorful it turned out!