Cod is served with a Provençal bean ragout made from niçoise olives, jalapeño peppers, tomatoes and lima beans.
Chef's notes
This medley of flavors is actually quick to make and would be a delicious weekday family meal. Serve with rice, pasta or couscous. The bean ragout is even good on it's own along with crusty French bread!
This ragout can also be served with halibut, red snapper or tilapia. In fact, it would be good with chicken or even served over fresh pasta.
Steps
1
Cooking the Beans
Ingredients
3/4 cup fresh or frozen lima beans (can substitute with edamame beans)
1/2 tsp kosher salt
4 cups water
To start the beans, bring the water to a boil and add the salt. Add the lima beans to the boiling water and let cook for approximately 3 to 5 minutes.
If you are using fresh lima beans, the time will vary slightly. Once cooked, strain and place into an ice bath to stop the cooking process. Set aside while you prepare the fish.
2
Cooking the Cod
Ingredients
4 cod fillets (or halibut)
1/2 cup panko bread crumbs
1 tbsp coriander seeds
kosher salt (to taste)
freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
Preheat the oven to 350° degrees Fahrenheit.
Roughly crush the coriander seeds and then mix together with the panko breadcrumbs.
Season both sides of the fish with salt and pepper to taste. Bread the presentation side of the fish with the panko.
Heat a medium-sized frying pan over medium-high heat. Add the oil and fry the cod, crust-side down, until golden brown. Once the crust has turned golden brown, gently flip the fish over. Transfer to an oven-proof plate and place into the oven. Bake for 5 to 10 minutes or until done. Cooking time will depend on the thickness of your fish.
While the fish is cooking, move on to the next step.
3
Making the Ragout
Ingredients
1 large garlic clove
1/2 tbsp jalapeño pepper (or serrano)
4 whole tomatoes
1/3 cup niçoise olives (or kalamata)
1 tbsp olive oil (or grapeseed oil)
1 1/2 tbsp capers
3/4 cup dry white wine
6 whole basil leaves
1/4 tsp grey salt
1/8 tsp freshly ground black pepper
Finely chop the garlic and jalapeño (remove the ribs and seeds for less heat). Core and dice the tomatoes and roughly chop the olives.
Heat a fry pan over medium-high heat and add the oil. Fry the garlic and jalapeño for about 30 seconds and then add the lima beans, tomatoes, olives and capers. Let cook for about 30 seconds. Next, add the wine, bring to a boil and let it reduce by about half. Once the fish is ready, add the basil to the sauce. Spoon a few tablespoons of the sauce over each piece of fish and serve.
