Food Musings

Dinner in 10 minutes or less!

As you probably notice on my Food Musings, I tend to prepare fish dishes quite often.  The reasons are simple…fish is a healthy alternative to meat and you can flavor it in many different ways.  Cod is moist and flakey without a “fishy” taste.  In other words, the flavors you get are what you put into the dish.

Other reasons to prepare fish for dinner are that fish is relatively inexpensive, and it’s a quick and easy weeknight meal.  I understand that chefs on television (and in cooking classes) will tell you to only purchase fresh fish but that can get quite expensive.  Instead, I purchase my fish frozen from Costco or the supermarket and take out only what I need for the meal.  Usually that’s 2 nice filet pieces for Greg and I (unless I’m using a thinner fish such as tilapia or trout).  There might be a slight difference to the taste when using frozen fish as opposed to fresh but I believe that even fresh fish has been frozen somewhere along the distribution path to your grocery store.  So what’s the difference?

I tend to decide in the morning what I’m going to prepare that evening and will take out frozen fish and let it thaw in the refrigerator.  Usually my fish recipes can be made in less than 30-40 minutes making them an excellent dinner choice any night of the week.

The sweet and spicy orange glaze on this delicious fish dinner will make you think you’re eating a dish laden with calories.  But, be prepared, there’s only 208 calories…so, with a light salad, your diet can afford a glass of chardonnay with it!

Broiled Cod with Orange Chili Glaze

4 servings (serving size: 1 fillet)

• 3 tablespoons orange marmalade
• 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
• 1 teaspoon chopped fresh or 1/4 teaspoon dried herb (basil or dill – I used fresh dill)
• 1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 3/4 teaspoon salt, divided
• 4 (6-ounce) cod or other firm white fish fillets (about 1 inch thick)
• 1/4 teaspoon lemon pepper
• Cooking spray

Preheat broiler.

Combine first 5 ingredients and 1/4 teaspoon salt in a small bowl.

Sprinkle the fillets with 1/2 teaspoon salt and lemon pepper. Place the fillets on a broiler pan coated with cooking spray; broil 5 minutes. Remove from oven; brush fillets evenly with glaze. Return to oven; broil for an additional 3-4 minutes or until the fish flakes easily when tested with a fork.

Recipe inspired by a Sea Bass recipe in Cooking Light Magazine