I love this recipe! It is one of the quickest, easiest recipes to put together, yet it looks and tastes so fancy. I’m posting this recipe now because Christmas eve is approaching quickly, and for Italian-Americans, that means the Feast of Seven Fishes!
The Feast of Seven Fishes is an Italian-American tradition to ring in Christmas eve. The tradition comes from southern Italy, and commemorates the wait, known at “La Vigilia”, for the midnight birth of baby Jesus. Its tradition to eschew from meat and animal fat all day, so fish is consumed instead. No one knows exactly why there are seven types of fish consumed and, for some, more than seven fishes are consumed. Typically, you’ll see things like calamari, salted cod (Baccalà), and anchovies on the menu.
You could eat this any time of the year, however. It’s actually a really great summer dish as well! Cod has a relatively mild taste and takes on pretty much whatever flavors you pair it with. It’s also a relatively lower fat, high protein option. It’s loaded with important nutrients such as phosphorus, iodine, and omega-3 fatty acids too. Pair it with your favorite veggies and you’ve got yourself a super delicious and easy meal. But don’t take my word for it, try it yourself!
Cod Piccata
Ingredients
- 1 pound cod fillets
- 1/3 cup flour (use almond flour for gluten-free alternative)
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1/4 cup white wine
- 2-3 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 tbsp lemon juice
- 1/2 cup chicken stock
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp pepper
- (Optional) 1-2 tbsp flour to thicken sauce
- 1/4 cup capers, drained
Directions
- Stir the flour, salt, and pepper together in a shallow bowl or plate. Coat the fish in the mixture on both sides.
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add olive oil. Add the cod fillets, cooking for 2-3 minutes on each side or until brown. Remove fillets from the skillet and move to a plate. Set aside.
- In the skillet, add white wine, garlic, lemon juice, and chicken stock. Simmer to reduce the sauce. If the sauce seems too thin, add 1-2 tbsp of flour to mixture to thicken to desired consistency.
- To serve, divide cod portions onto plates and evenly divide sauce onto each portion. Top with capers.
Allegra,
I’m so excited about your blog. It’s beautifully done! I can’t wait to prepare your recipes!