Pan-Seared Sesame Cod
Pan-Seared Cod with Sesame Sauce
Sometimes, the best meals come from a simple dilemma - like staring at a bag of frozen cod and wondering what to do with it.
While I have a few go-to recipes such as Panko Crusted Cod or Pan-fried Cod with Sautéed Vegetables for turning this light and flaky fish into a savory dinner, I decided to try a pan-seared style with a nutty sesame sauce.
Since my whole family loves cooked fish and anything with a soy sauce-based glaze, I thought, why not enhance it with some toasty, nutty sesame seeds this time? The result was a perfectly savory dish that got an enthusiastic thumbs-up from everyone, especially the kids, who went for an extra bowl of rice to soak up all that delicious sauce.
RECIPE
Servings: 3-4
Time: 20 minutes
Ingredients:
3 pcs cod fillet
salt
3 tbsp flour
2 tbsp sugar
2 tbsp soy sauce
2 tbsp mirin
2 tbsp sesame seeds
cooking oil
My Kitchen Tools:
Instructions:
Prepare the Cod:
Season the cod fillets with salt and let them sit for a few minutes. Wipe off excess moisture and lightly coat each piece with flour.
Sear the Fish:
Heat a pan over medium heat and add cooking oil. Place the cod fillets in the pan and cook for about 2-3 minutes on each side until golden brown and crispy.
Make the Sauce:
In a small bowl, mix sugar, soy sauce, and mirin. Pour this mixture into the pan with the fish.
Add Sesame Flavor:
Grind the sesame seeds, add it over the fish and gently toss to coat the fillets with the flavorful sauce.
Serve:
Transfer the fish to a plate, drizzle any remaining sauce over the top, and serve immediately with steamed rice.
Tips:
Pat the fish dry to remove the moisture and help achieve a crispy sear.
Use fresh or frozen cod, but if using frozen, thaw it completely and pat dry to prevent excess moisture.
Remove the extra cooking oil before adding the sauce to avoid splashing, and keep the richness of the sauce.
Pair with steamed rice and sautéed greens like spinach or bok choy for a balanced meal.
