Spiced Cod One Pot (Printable Version)

Aromatic cod simmered with vegetables, cumin, paprika, and warming spices in one pot. Ready in 40 minutes.

# What You'll Need:

→ Seafood

01 - 4 cod fillets (about 5.3 oz each), skinless and boneless

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 large onion, finely chopped
03 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
04 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
05 - 1 yellow bell pepper, diced
06 - 14 oz canned diced tomatoes
07 - 5.3 oz baby spinach
08 - 1 lemon, sliced

→ Spices & Seasonings

09 - 1 tsp ground cumin
10 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
11 - 1/2 tsp ground coriander
12 - 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper, optional
13 - 1 tsp salt
14 - 1/2 tsp black pepper

→ Pantry

15 - 2 tbsp olive oil
16 - 8.5 fl oz fish or vegetable stock

→ Garnish

17 - Fresh cilantro or parsley, chopped
18 - Lemon wedges

# Method:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large, deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat.
02 - Add chopped onion and sauté for 3 to 4 minutes until softened.
03 - Stir in garlic, red bell pepper, and yellow bell pepper; cook for 3 minutes.
04 - Add cumin, smoked paprika, coriander, cayenne if using, salt, and black pepper. Stir well and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
05 - Pour in diced tomatoes and fish or vegetable stock. Bring to a simmer.
06 - Cover and cook for 8 to 10 minutes until vegetables are tender and sauce thickens slightly.
07 - Gently nestle cod fillets into the sauce and top with lemon slices. Cover and simmer for 8 to 10 minutes until cod is opaque and flakes easily with a fork.
08 - Add spinach and cook for 2 minutes until just wilted.
09 - Serve hot, garnished with fresh herbs and extra lemon wedges.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • Everything cooks in one pot, so youre not left with a sink full of dishes after a long day.
  • The spices build layers of warmth without overwhelming the delicate fish.
  • It feels like a restaurant meal but comes together in under an hour with pantry staples.
  • Leftovers taste even better the next day once the flavors have mingled overnight.
02 -
  • Dont skip blooming the spices in the oil; it transforms them from dusty powder to deep, fragrant flavor.
  • Let the sauce simmer before adding the fish so the vegetables are fully cooked and the flavors have time to marry.
  • Resist the urge to flip the cod; it cooks gently in the sauce and will fall apart if handled too much.
03 -
  • Use a wide, shallow pan so the cod fillets sit in a single layer and cook evenly without crowding.
  • Taste the sauce before adding the fish and adjust the salt and spice; its much easier to fix at this stage.
  • Let the dish rest for 5 minutes after cooking so the flavors settle and the fish stays intact when you serve it.
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