Description
Ina Garten’s baked cod with garlic and herb Ritz crumbs delivers Mediterranean-inspired elegance to your dinner table. Crisp cracker topping and delicate fish create a delightful harmony that will impress dinner guests and satisfy seafood cravings with minimal effort.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 4 center-cut boneless, skinless cod fillets (6 to 8 ounces each / 170 to 227 grams each)
- ½ cup (60 grams) Ritz cracker crumbs (15 crackers)
- ⅓ cup (35 grams) panko (Japanese bread flakes)
Seasoning and Flavor Enhancers:
- 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) minced fresh parsley
- 2 teaspoons (10 milliliters) minced garlic (2 cloves)
- 1 teaspoon (5 milliliters) grated lemon zest
- Kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
Liquid and Additional Ingredients:
- 3 tablespoons (45 grams) unsalted butter, melted
- ¼ cup (60 milliliters) dry white wine, such as Pinot Grigio
- 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) freshly squeezed lemon juice
- Good olive oil
- Lemon wedges, for serving
Instructions
- Prepare the baking environment by heating the oven to 400°F (200°C), ensuring a precise temperature for optimal cooking.
- Select a 9 × 9-inch ceramic baking dish and generously coat the bottom with of olive oil, creating a non-stick surface for the cod fillets.
- Carefully place the cod fillets in the prepared dish, rotating them to ensure complete coverage with olive oil, then season generously with 1½ teaspoons of salt and ½ teaspoon of ground black pepper.
- Transfer the seasoned fish to the preheated oven and bake for 10 minutes, allowing the fillets to begin cooking and develop initial flavor.
- While the fish is baking, craft the crispy topping by combining Ritz cracker crumbs, panko breadcrumbs, finely chopped parsley, minced garlic, freshly grated lemon zest, and of salt in a mixing bowl.
- Drizzle melted butter over the crumb mixture, stirring thoroughly to create a uniform, moist coating that will adhere to the fish.
- Remove the partially cooked cod from the oven and immediately pour white wine and fresh lemon juice directly over the fillets, creating a flavorful liquid base.
- Gently press the prepared crumb mixture onto the fish, ensuring even coverage and maximum adherence, allowing some crumbs to naturally fall into the developing sauce.
- Return the dish to the oven and continue baking for an additional 12 minutes, or until the cod is perfectly cooked through and the topping turns a golden, crispy brown.
- Plate the fish, sprinkle with a final touch of salt, and accompany with the aromatic pan juices, garnishing with fresh lemon wedges for a bright, citrusy finish.
Notes
- Safeguard Moisture: Patting cod fillets dry prevents sogginess and ensures a perfectly crisp cracker coating that locks in delicious flavors.
- Precision Matters: Crushing Ritz crackers into fine, uniform crumbs creates a consistent, golden-brown crust that clings beautifully to the delicate fish.
- Timing is Key: Monitor baking closely around the 12-minute mark to prevent overcooking, keeping the cod tender and flaky without drying out.
- Freshness Wins: Select high-quality, fresh cod fillets from a trusted seafood counter for the most delectable and succulent dining experience.
- Crumb Strategy: Prepare cracker mixture in advance, but sprinkle over fish just before baking to maintain that irresistible crunch and texture.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 of 4 servings
- Calories: 404
- Sugar: 0.9 g
- Sodium: 1923 mg
- Fat: 22.2 g
- Saturated Fat: 8.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 15.8 g
- Fiber: 0.7 g
- Protein: 39.0 g
- Cholesterol: 68 mg