If you’re craving a dish that’s vibrant, fresh, and bursting with flavor, you’re going to love this Cod with Fresh Tomato Red Pepper Sauce Recipe. The delicate, flaky cod pairs beautifully with a bright sauce made from ripe tomatoes, smoky roasted red peppers, and a hint of garlic and basil, creating a harmonious blend that feels both comforting and elegant. Whether you’re cooking for family or friends, this recipe is sure to impress with its fresh ingredients and straightforward approach.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Every ingredient in this Cod with Fresh Tomato Red Pepper Sauce Recipe plays a crucial role in building layers of flavor and texture, making the dish as delightful to the eye as it is to the palate. These essentials are simple, yet they come together to transform fresh cod into a memorable meal.
- Fresh Cod Fillets: Look for firm, bright white fillets around 6 ounces each; they form the mild, flaky centerpiece of the dish.
- Fresh Tomatoes: Ripe and diced, they create a juicy and tangy base for the sauce that keeps the flavors refreshing.
- Roasted Red Peppers: Use jarred or homemade, well drained and chopped for a sweet, smoky contrast to the tomatoes.
- Garlic: Four cloves minced add an aromatic punch that elevates the sauce complexity.
- Onion: A finely chopped yellow onion brings sweetness and depth when sautéed just right.
- Olive Oil: Extra virgin olive oil infuses the vegetables with richness and ties the flavors together beautifully.
- Salt: Kosher salt is ideal for seasoning evenly throughout the dish.
- Black Pepper: Freshly cracked for the best peppery aroma and subtle heat.
- Fresh Basil: A handful chopped and added as a garnish to bring fragrant notes and freshness.
- Lemon Juice: One tablespoon of freshly squeezed lemon juice brightens the sauce and balances richness.
How to Make Cod with Fresh Tomato Red Pepper Sauce Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Ingredients
Start by dicing the fresh tomatoes and chopping the roasted red peppers into bite-sized pieces. Mince the garlic cloves finely alongside your chopped yellow onion. Having these ready and prepped makes the cooking process smooth and efficient.
Step 2: Sauté the Onion
Warm two tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and sauté for 3 to 4 minutes until it becomes translucent and soft, releasing its natural sweetness which will meld beautifully into the sauce.
Step 3: Cook the Garlic Gently
Next, stir in the minced garlic and continue cooking for 1 to 2 minutes. Be careful here — garlic cooks quickly and you want it fragrant without any browning, which can make it bitter.
Step 4: Add Tomatoes and Peppers
Stir in the diced tomatoes and chopped roasted red peppers, mixing well. Allow the mixture to simmer for 5 to 7 minutes. This short simmer melds the fresh and smoky elements into a luscious sauce that will perfectly complement the cod.
Step 5: Season the Sauce
Season your simmering sauce with kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste. Pour in the fresh lemon juice, stirring everything together; this adds a bright acidity that livens the entire dish.
Step 6: Poach the Cod
Pat the cod fillets dry with paper towels, then season both sides with salt and pepper. Nestle the fillets gently into the tomato red pepper sauce, cover the pan, and poach on low heat for 8 to 10 minutes. The cod will absorb the sauce flavors while staying tender and flaky.
Step 7: Garnish and Serve
Once the fish is cooked through, sprinkle a generous handful of freshly chopped basil over the top. Serve immediately, spooning plenty of the delicious fresh tomato red pepper sauce over the cod for each plate.
How to Serve Cod with Fresh Tomato Red Pepper Sauce Recipe
Garnishes
Fresh basil is a natural garnish, adding herbal brightness that balances the rich sauce beautifully. For an added touch, a light drizzle of extra virgin olive oil or a few lemon zest curls brings extra color and aroma to the plate.
Side Dishes
This Cod with Fresh Tomato Red Pepper Sauce Recipe pairs wonderfully with simple sides like steamed asparagus, garlic roasted potatoes, or a bed of fluffy couscous. Light greens or a crisp salad with vinaigrette also complement the fresh flavors perfectly.
Creative Ways to Present
For a restaurant-style presentation, plate the cod fillet atop a pool of the warm tomato red pepper sauce, with basil garnish delicately placed on top. You can also serve it family-style in the skillet itself, inviting everyone to dive in for a cozy, shared meal experience.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Allow any leftovers of the Cod with Fresh Tomato Red Pepper Sauce Recipe to cool completely before transferring to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 days to maintain freshness and flavor integrity.
Freezing
While freshly cooked cod is best enjoyed immediately, you can freeze the tomato red pepper sauce separately for up to 3 months. Freeze it in a freezer-safe container or zip-lock bag, leaving room for expansion. Avoid freezing the cooked fish, as it may lose its texture.
Reheating
Reheat refrigerated leftovers gently on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of water or broth if the sauce has thickened too much. Reheat just until warmed through to keep the cod tender and avoid drying it out.
FAQs
Can I use frozen cod for this recipe?
Yes, frozen cod fillets can work well when fully thawed and patted dry before cooking. Just make sure to adjust the poaching time as frozen fish may take a bit longer to cook through.
What can I substitute for roasted red peppers?
If you don’t have roasted red peppers on hand, you can substitute with charred fresh red bell peppers or even sun-dried tomatoes for a different but still delicious flavor profile.
Is this recipe spicy?
No, the Cod with Fresh Tomato Red Pepper Sauce Recipe is not spicy by default. However, you can add a pinch of red pepper flakes while cooking if you prefer a little heat.
Can this dish be made gluten-free?
Absolutely! All the ingredients in this recipe are naturally gluten-free, making it safe for those with gluten sensitivities or celiac disease.
How do I know when the cod is fully cooked?
The cod is done when it flakes easily with a fork and turns opaque all the way through. Poaching it gently in the sauce helps keep it moist and flavorful.
Final Thoughts
This Cod with Fresh Tomato Red Pepper Sauce Recipe is one of those gems that takes simple, fresh ingredients and transforms them into something truly special. I can’t recommend it enough for a weeknight dinner or a casual entertaining meal. Give it a try, and you might find it becoming a new favorite in your recipe rotation!
Print
Cod with Fresh Tomato Red Pepper Sauce Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Low Fat
Description
A light and flavorful dish featuring fresh cod fillets gently poached in a vibrant and aromatic sauce made from fresh tomatoes, roasted red peppers, garlic, and onions. Enhanced with fresh basil and a splash of lemon juice, this recipe delivers a healthy and colorful meal perfect for seafood lovers.
Ingredients
Fish
- 4 fillets Fresh Cod Fillets (Approximately 6 ounces each, bright white and firm)
Sauce
- 2 cups Fresh Tomatoes (Ripe and diced)
- 1 cup Roasted Red Peppers (Jarred or homemade, drained and chopped)
- 4 cloves Garlic (Minced)
- 1 medium Onion (Finely chopped, preferably yellow)
- 2 tablespoons Olive Oil (Extra virgin)
- to taste Salt (Kosher recommended)
- to taste Black Pepper (Freshly cracked)
- 1 tablespoon Lemon Juice (Freshly squeezed)
- 1 handful Fresh Basil (Chopped, for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare Ingredients: Dice the fresh tomatoes, chop the roasted red peppers, and mince the garlic and onion to have all components ready for cooking.
- Sauté Onions: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and sauté for about 3-4 minutes until it becomes translucent and soft.
- Add Garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes, taking care not to let it brown to avoid bitterness.
- Simmer Sauce: Add the diced tomatoes and chopped roasted red peppers to the skillet. Stir the mixture well and allow it to simmer gently for 5-7 minutes to meld the flavors.
- Season Sauce: Season the sauce with salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste. Add freshly squeezed lemon juice and stir thoroughly to brighten the flavors.
- Poach Cod: Pat the cod fillets dry and season them with salt and pepper. Place the fillets gently into the simmering sauce, cover the skillet, and poach the fish for 8-10 minutes until it is cooked through and flakes easily with a fork.
- Serve: Once the cod is cooked, sprinkle chopped fresh basil over the dish and serve immediately, spooning the tomato and red pepper sauce generously over the fish.
Notes
- Use fresh, firm cod fillets to ensure a moist and flaky texture.
- Adjust the seasoning of the sauce to your preference, adding more lemon juice for extra brightness if desired.
- Serve this dish with steamed rice, crusty bread, or a light salad for a balanced meal.
- Roasted red peppers can be homemade by roasting fresh red peppers until charred, then peeling and chopping, or purchased jarred to save time.
- Keep the poaching temperature gentle to avoid overcooking the delicate fish.
