It seems like everyone is traveling to Europe right now, doesn’t it? I’m happy people get to stop being stir-crazy at home, but the rest of us stuck at work are having a hard time seeing everyone’s sunny European pictures on social media right now. So let’s do the next best thing with a European meal at home. Today we’re going to Portugal with this Portuguese style baked cod with potatoes and peppers!
In February of 2020 (right under the lockdown wire!) I got to extend a work trip and travel for a few days through Portugal. If you ever have the chance to go to Portugal, do it! The architecture is beautiful, the people are so friendly, the wine is delicious, and the food was so fresh and amazing. Seriously, the seafood tasted like it just came out of the ocean.
One of the highlights of my trip was getting to go to a Fado show while in Porto. Fado is a form of Portuguese singing (typically just a singer and a couple guitars) that is highly emotional and melancholy. It’s probably what Taylor Swift would have sounded like a few hundred years ago. It’s beautiful and enchanting, and I highly recommend going to a show if you find yourself in Portugal.
While at the Fado show, I had a delicious meal of baked cod with potatoes and peppers. I had a lot of great cod meals while in Portugal, but this stood out because it was so simple and let the fish shine. They kept it basic with just olive oil and lemon, but I knew I could amp up the flavor with just a few additions.
Start by roasting the potatoes and then adding in the peppers, onion and garlic. Then add the cod filets and lemon and roast until done! It may seem like a lot of in and out of the oven, but that’s really the only hard part of this recipe.
Where I boost flavor is with the herb oil drizzled over the top. Simply sizzle olive oil with garlic, paprika, chile flakes and parsley. It gives the meal a bit of a kick and herbaceousness.
The end result is a dish of lemony fish, creamy potatoes, and garlicky vegetables, all with a spicy finish. While it may not be the same as being on the riverfront in Porto, it will help us get through the summer at home!
Looking for more healthy seafood recipes? Check them out here!
Wine Pairings for Portuguese Cod
- Picpoul: This is a high acidity white wine that’s a perfect pairing for seafood and Mediterranean flavors. The bright citrus flavors in the wine will go well with the lemon in the dish as well.
- Pinot Gris: The light earthiness of Pinot Gris (or Pinot Grigio) will enhance the flavors of the fish and won’t compete with the spicy oil drizzle.
Travel Tips for Portugal
- Lisbon: Lisbon is a great city to just wander around in! The architecture is amazing, especially since so many buildings are covered in beautiful tiles. Check out the old town area called Alfama for some great restaurants (the octopus in Lisbon is a must try!). At the top of the hill is Sao Jorge Castle, which has amazing views of the city (including the Lisbon bridge that looks just like the Golden Gate Bridge of San Francisco) and even some peacocks! Make sure to see Praça de Comércio, a plaza that makes you feel like you’ve traveled back in time, and then end your day with a sunset cocktail at one of the city’s many rooftop bars.
- Sintra: This town filled with whimsical palaces is an easy day trip from Lisbon. At the top of the hill is the vividly colored Pena Palace, which feels like something straight out of a fairytale book. Then check out the Quinta de Regaleira at the bottom of the hill – a gothic mansion and gardens filled with secret passageways, towers you can climb up and wells you can climb into. It’s like a playground for adults!
- Porto: Porto is such a romantic city! Have a riverfront meal and walk over the Luis I bridge for some sweeping views of the city. Make sure to stop at a Port wine cellar for a tour and a glass (or two) along the way. If you’re into books, stop at Livraria Lello for a bookstore that feels like it should be in Hogwarts. And of course end your day with a bit of Fado music and a delicious meal!
Portuguese-Style Cod with Potatoes and Peppers
- Total Time: 45 minutes
Description
A healthy lemony and garlicky baked cod with potatoes, peppers and onions, all drizzled with a spicy herb oil.
Ingredients
- 4 six ounce cod filets
- 1 pound fingerling potatoes, halved
- 1 red bell pepper and 1 green bell pepper, cut into thin slices
- 1 yellow onion, cut into thin slices
- 3 tablespoons + ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil, divided
- 4 cloves of garlic, minced and divided
- 2 teaspoons lemon zest
- 1 lemon, cut into chunks
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- Pinch of crushed red pepper flakes
- ¼ cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
- In a large casserole dish, toss the potatoes with 2 tablespoons olive oil. Season liberally with salt and pepper. Place in oven and bake for 10 minutes.
- Remove potatoes from the oven and add peppers, onions and 2 cloves of minced garlic to the dish, tossing well to combine. Place back into the oven for another 10 minutes.
- Season cod filets with salt and pepper and sprinkle with the lemon zest.
- Remove dish from the oven and give the veggies a stir. Nestle cod in the middle of the vegetables and scatter lemon chunks around the vegetables. Drizzle cod with another tablespoon of olive oil. Place dish back into the oven for about 15 more minutes, until the fish is cooked through and flaky.
- Meanwhile, heat the remaining ¼ cup of oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the remaining garlic, paprika, and chili flakes to the oil. Cook, stirring frequently, until garlic is fragrant, about 1-2 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in the parsley.
- Serve cod and vegetables with herb oil mixture drizzled on top and enjoy!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
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