Steamed fish is a healthful and quick-cooking dinner option. Adding a few aromatics to the steaming liquid enhances the taste of the fish without using any butter or oil. Haddock, halibut, or other firm-fleshed white fish can be used in place of the cod.–Editors of Everyday Food
LC Goofy for Ginger Note
When a recipe calls for peeled fresh ginger, rather than struggle over the knobby surface with a paring knife or a vegetable peeler (hah!), the editors of Everyday Cooking caution us to reach for a spoon. Holding the ginger steady with one hand, they suggest, scrape the spoon toward you in short strokes. Especially tight crevices may necessitate slicing off the knobby portion of the ginger to make for smooth scraping.
Steamed Cod with Ginger and Scallions Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons rice vinegar (optional)
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons finely grated peeled fresh ginger (see peeling tip below)
- 4 (1 1/2 pounds) skinless Pacific cod fillets
- 6 scallions
Directions
- 1. In a large skillet with a tight-fitting lid, combine the vinegar, soy sauce, and ginger. Season both sides of the cod fillets with salt and pepper and place them in the skillet. Bring the liquid to a boil. Reduce the heat to a gentle simmer, cover, and cook until the fish is almost but not quite opaque throughout, 6 to 8 minutes.
- 2. Meanwhile, cut the green parts of the scallions into 3-inch lengths and then thinly slice each piece lengthwise into strips (reserve the white parts for another use). Carefully turn the fish, scatter the scallions over the top, cover, and cook until the fish is completely opaque throughout and the scallions are just wilted, about 2 minutes more. Gently shimmy a slotted metal spatula beneath the fillets and transfer to individual plates, leaving the aromatic cooking liquid in the skillet. Serve immediately.
Hungry for more? Chow down on these:
- Beer Battered Cod from Brown Eyed Baker
- Miso Glazed Black Cod from No Recipes
- Portuguese Salt Cod Fritters from Leite's Culinaria
- Portuguese Scrambled Eggs with Salt Cod and Potatoes from Leite's Culinaria
Steamed Cod with Ginger and Scallions Recipe © 2010 Martha Stewart Living OmniMedia. Photo © 2010 Minh + Wass. All rights reserved.
This recipe is delightful and highly recommended. The flavors are subtle but completely permeate the cod. Steaming helps the cod flesh retain moisture (if you’ve ever had the misfortune to sample overcooked cod you’ll know how tragic it can be).
We served this as part of a dinner with fish head soup, choy sum, and steamed rice. Perfection!