This Cod Provencal is a fabulous dish that's easy to make and big on flavor. It's a rich, tomato-based sauce with the perfect blend of Mediterranean flavors. It's also a great make-ahead dish, as the flavors only get better the next day!
When your garden is overflowing with fresh tomatoes, and you can't eat salads anymore, you start becoming really creative.
This happens to me almost every year, and it's quite exciting because I get to test and then enjoy the dishes I would never think of making.
That's exactly how my tomato risotto and heirloom salad with crunchy breadcrumbs were born.
This time, I bought cod and had to think of new and interesting ways to use my fresh tomatoes in a seafood dish.
Enter Cod Provencal! It's one of my new favorite cod dishes. Just like my famous cod piccata, this cod recipe is anything but bland.
Cod Provencal is about using fresh ingredients and turning them into a simple yet fantastic meal.
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Why This Recipe Stands Out
We love a good, hearty fish dish, and this Cod Provençal definitely fits the bill. Here’s why you’ll love this recipe:
- Simple Ingredients: We use simple, fresh ingredients in this recipe, allowing the natural flavors to shine.
- Easy to Prepare: There’s nothing complicated about this recipe. It’s a simple, one-pan preparation that’s perfect for a busy weeknight.
- Healthy: Cod is a lean, protein-packed fish that’s also a great source of omega-3 fatty acids. Plus, the dish is loaded with fresh tomatoes, garlic, and other healthy ingredients.
- Versatile: This recipe is perfect for a casual family dinner, but it’s also impressive enough to serve to guests for a special occasion.
Key Ingredients
- Cod Fillet – This is the star of our dish. It’s a mild, flaky white fish that’s packed with protein and low in fat. Make sure to get fresh cod for the best flavor.
- Anchovy Paste – While optional, anchovy paste adds a deep umami flavor that takes this dish to the next level. Don’t worry, it won’t make the dish fishy, but it will add a nice savory note.
- Kalamata Olives and Capers – These briny ingredients add a burst of flavor to the dish. They’re not only delicious, but they also make the dish look beautiful with their pops of purple and green.
Substitutions and Variations
We all love a good, classic cod Provençal, but sometimes it’s fun to mix things up. Here are a few of our favorite ideas for variations and substitutions:
- Tomatoes: This recipe calls for fresh tomatoes, but you can easily substitute them with 2 cans of diced or fire-roasted tomatoes. Since canned tomatoes usually have citric acid, you might need to add ½ teaspoon of sugar to stew the tomatoes to balance out the acidity of the dish.
- Anchovy Paste: The anchovy paste is optional but recommended as it boosts the overall flavor of the dish. You can also use anchovies in oil; 2-3 anchovies would be sufficient.
- Olives: If you're not a fan of Kalamata olives, try green olives as a substitute.
- Fish: Looking for a different fish to use? Try it with halibut, haddock, or any other white fish.
- Herbs: Feel free to play around with the herbs. We think a little bit of rosemary or oregano could be a nice addition.
How to Make Cod Provencal
Step 1: Heat olive oil in a large sauté pan over medium heat. Sauté onion until translucent. Add garlic and anchovy paste and sauté for 1 minute.
Step 2: Add tomatoes, salt, pepper, and dried thyme. Sauté for 15 minutes.
Step 3: Season cod with salt and pepper. Place it on top of the tomatoes and cook for 10 minutes.
Step 4: Sprinkle capers and olives on the cod and cook for 3 more minutes. Sprinkle with parsley and serve.
For full list of ingredients and instructions, see recipe card below.
What to Serve with Cod Provencal
Vegetables
- A simple green salad or a side of roasted asparagus can add a fresh, healthy element to your meal.
- If you're a fan of Mediterranean flavors, consider serving this dish with a side of roasted vegetables.
Potatoes
- The flavorful tomato and herb sauce in this recipe is perfect for spooning over some creamy mashed potatoes. It's a comforting, satisfying side dish that will soak up all the delicious flavors of the cod.
- For a lighter potato side, try boiling or steaming some new potatoes and tossing them in a little bit of olive oil, salt, and pepper.
Rice and Grains
- Rice is a great side dish for cod Provencal. The sauce from the fish will infuse the rice with flavor, making every bite delicious.
- For a more rustic, whole grain option, consider serving this dish with some crusty bread. You can use it to soak up the extra sauce, and it's perfect for mopping up your plate.
Frequently Asked Questions
We recommend using fresh cod fillet for this recipe. You can also use other white fish fillets such as haddock, halibut, or sea bass if you prefer.
Anchovy paste is optional but it adds a depth of flavor to the dish. It dissolves as it cooks, leaving behind a rich, savory umami flavor. Even if you don't like anchovies, you won't be able to detect their flavor, but they will enhance the overall deliciousness of the dish.
Cod Provençal is best enjoyed fresh, but if you have leftovers, it can be stored in an airtight for up to two days. I don't recommend freezing it since the texture and consistency of the fish will be greatly altered.
Recipe
Cod Provencal
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium onion finely minced
- 3 garlic finely minced
- 1 teaspoon anchovy paste optional
- 4 large tomatoes core removed and diced
- 1 lb cod fillet cut into 6-7 portions
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ c pitted Kalamata olives
- 2 tablespoon capers
- ⅓ c parsley
- salt
- pepper
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large sauté pan over medium heat. Add onion and sauté, stirring occasionally, for 5-7 minutes until it’s translucent. Add garlic and anchovy paste (if using) and stir for 1 minute.
- Add tomatoes, ½ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon pepper, and dried thyme, and give everything a nice stir.
- Reduce the heat to medium-low and sauté the tomatoes for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Sprinkle cod with ¼ teaspoon of salt and ¼ teaspoon pepper. Arrange the cod on top of the tomatoes and spoon some of the stewed tomatoes on each cod fillet.
- Cover with a lid and cook for 10 more minutes.
- Remove the lid, sprinkle with capers and olives, and continue cooking for 3 more minutes.
- Remove the pan from the heat, sprinkle with parsley, and serve immediately.
Notes
- You can use fresh or canned tomatoes for this recipe, but fresh tomatoes will give your dish a brighter, fresher flavor.
- Adding anchovy paste is optional, but it adds a wonderful depth of flavor to the dish.
- When seasoning your cod, make sure to sprinkle the salt and pepper evenly on both sides of the fillets for a well-balanced flavor.
- Arrange the cod fillets on top of the tomatoes, so they can soak up all the delicious flavors while they cook.
- Don't forget to sprinkle your dish with capers and olives after removing it from the heat, as this will help them retain their briny, tangy flavor.
- Fresh parsley is a must for serving. It not only adds a pop of color but also a fresh, herby note that complements the dish beautifully.
Nutrition
More Seafood Recipes You'll Enjoy
- Salmon Soup - This Easy Salmon Soup makes a great weeknight meal. It's full of protein and healthy fat, it's creamy and so yummy. You'll be making it again!
- 15-Minute Salmon Tacos - This 15-minute salmon taco recipe is a fresh take on traditional tacos, swapping out the usual beef or chicken for flaky salmon.
- Healthy Tuna Pasta Salad - This refreshing and satisfying Tuna Pasta Salad is a family-friendly recipe that's perfect for those warm summer days when you want a quick, delicious meal without heating up the kitchen.
- Seared Cod with Tomato-Caper Sauce - Seared to a flaky perfection and served with a tangy tomato-caper sauce over mashed potatoes or rice, this cod recipe makes an easy and delicious weeknight meal.
Iryna Bychkiv is the founder and writer of the culinary website Lavender & Macarons, where she shares clean, European-inspired recipes that are delicious, easy to prepare, and made with wholesome ingredients. Iryna loves creating meals that are simple yet healthy and unique, including vegan and vegetarian recipes.
Iryna is also a freelance writer for MSN and Associated Press Wire.
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