Lemon Pepper Lentil Stew with Baked Cod

COURSE Main Course

SERVES 4 - 6

TIME About 30 minutes

Cooking Tip:

• Stew:

  • Red lentil is the easiest to cook: 10 mins in Instant Pot or 15 - 20 mins stove top.

  • The choice of vegetables is very flexible. Any stew veggies would work. 2 - 3 cups cubed.

• Cod:

  • Depending on the thickness of the cod fillet, cooking time will vary. Generally takes 8 - 12 mins to cook at 400 degree. Overcooked fish can be very chewy. To check the doneness, insert a fork in an angle into the thickest part of the fillet, and turn the fork slightly. The fillet is done if it flakes easily.

Ingredients:

Lentil Stew:

• 2 Cups red lentil, rinsed

• 3 cloves of garlic, minced

• 1 onion, diced

• 3 stalks of celery, chopped

• 3 carrots, peeled and chopped

• 1 small rutabaga root, peeled and chopped

• 4 Cups chicken or veggie broth

• 1 Tsp ground chili pepper

• ½ Tbsp Red Miso or Salt (to taste)

• 1 Tbsp cooking oil

• 1 lemon, zest and juice

Cod:

• 4 cod fillet, about 1 lb

• ¼ Cup parsley, chopped

• 1 lemon, juice

• 1 Tbsp butter, melted

• 4 Tbsp olive oil

• 3 clove of garlic, minced

• ⅓ Cup flour

• 1 Tsp ground coriander

• 1 Tsp sweet Hungarian paprika

• 1 Tsp ground cumin

• ¼ Tsp salt

• ½ Tsp black pepper

Directions:

1. Pre-heat the oven to 400 degrees.

2. Lentil Stew:

   1. Heat cooking oil in the Instant Pot on sauté function. Stir in onion and garlic and cook for about 3 - 5 mins until the onion is translucent.

   2. Add celery, carrots, rutabaga roots (or other stew veggies if using). Stir for a couple mins to combine.

   3. Add lentil, broth, and chili pepper.

   4. Cover the Instant Pot and set the cooking time to 10 mins.

3. Cod:

   1. In a shallow bowl, make the lemon sauce by mixing together the lemon juice, olive oil, melted butter, and garlic.

   2. In another shallow bowl, mix the all-purpose flour, spices, salt and pepper.

   3. Pat the fish dry. Dip the fish in the lemon sauce then dip it in the flour mixture. Shake off excess flour. Place on a lightly greased baking sheet. Left over lemon sauce can be saved for later drizzle over the fish before serving.

   4. Bake for 8 - 12 mins. Check doneness before removing from the oven

4. Before serving:

   1. For Lentil Stew: Mix in the miso paste, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Stir until the miso paste is completely dissolved.

   2. Place the cod fillet into the lentil stew, sprinkle over the parsley, and drizzle with the left over lemon sauce.

5. Serve

Recipe Inspiration:

This recipe is inspired by the "Baked Cod with Lemon and Garlic" on The Mediterranean Dish.