The cod fillets with leeks are a simple, tasty, and delicate main dish. These are fish fillets baked in the oven with a very easy leek-based sauce. The combination of cod, a lean and versatile fish, with leeks, which have a flavor similar to garlic and onion but much more delicate and slightly sweet, creates a particularly pleasant taste balance for the palate! A delicious dish that is ready on the table in less than 30 minutes.
The preparation is very simple: we cook the leeks in a pan with butter, adding the cream 5 minutes before the end of cooking. We season with salt and pepper. Pour the leeks into a buttered baking dish and place the cod fillets on top. Cover with wine and vegetable broth and bake for 20 minutes at 392°F. Transfer the fillets to a serving dish and reduce the leek sauce with the juice of half a lemon, then add the butter. Serve the fillets with the leek sauce and lemon zest.
Easy to prepare and ideal for a family lunch or dinner, like oven-baked cod fillets or baked dentex, these fillets can be enriched with other ingredients to make them even tastier, and if you don’t have cod, you can cook other fish fillets like sole, plaice, perch, or salmon using the same cooking method. Ideal with any seasonal side dish, but especially with crispy baked potatoes, let’s discover together the secrets to making this dish in a few simple steps.
Also discover:
- Difficulty: Very Easy
- Cost: Medium
- Preparation time: 10 Minutes
- Portions: 4 People
- Cooking methods: Oven, Stove
- Cuisine: Italian
- Seasonality: All Seasons
Ingredients to prepare Cod Fillets with Leeks (easy and tasty recipe)
- 1.8 lbs cod fillets
- 2 leeks
- 1 cup vegetable broth
- 1/2 cup dry white wine
- 4 tbsp butter
- 1/4 cup cooking cream
- 1 lemon
- salt
- pepper
Tools to prepare Cod Fillets with Leeks
- Frying Pan
- Baking Dish
- Oven
How to prepare Cod Fillets with Leeks
Prepare the cod fillets with leeks by cleaning them: remove the root, the outer harder leaves, and then slice them.
Place them in a pan with half the butter and a little water and let them soften.
Add the cream, season with salt and pepper, and cook for another 5 minutes until tender.
Transfer them to a buttered baking dish.
Place the cod fillets in the same dish.
Drizzle with the dry white wine and broth, season with salt and pepper, and bake at 392°F for about 20 minutes.
Remove the cod fillets and transfer them to a serving dish.
Pour the leeks with the cooking liquid into a pan, add the juice of half a lemon and reduce by half over high heat.
Turn off the heat, add the remaining butter, and stir vigorously to melt.
Serve the cod fillets with the leek sauce and lemon zest.
Storage and Tips
Store this dish in the fridge for up to 1-2 days in an airtight container.
You can also freeze them by sealing them in an airtight container and keeping them in the freezer for up to 2 months. Simply reheat in the oven or air fryer.
You can add herbs such as rosemary, dill, parsley, or thyme. Additionally, you can add capers or green or black olives to the sauce along with the lemon juice.
To make this dish even richer in vegetables, you can add zucchini, fennel, or carrots along with the leeks, sautéing them in the pan before placing them in the buttered baking dish.
For a crunchy version, you can sprinkle the fillets with an aromatic crust made of breadcrumbs, chopped herbs, and spices, or simply breadcrumbs with chopped nuts like walnuts or hazelnuts.
FAQ (Questions and Answers)
Can I use other types of fish instead of cod?
Yes, you can replace cod with other fish like salmon, hake, sole, or plaice. Cooking times may vary slightly depending on the type of fish, so pay attention to avoid overcooking or undercooking.
Can I prepare the recipe in advance?
Yes, you can prepare the dish up to a day in advance by storing it in the refrigerator. Simply reheat it in the oven at a low temperature to prevent the fish from drying out.
Can I use frozen cod fillets?
Yes, you can use frozen cod, but make sure to thaw it well before cooking.
How long does cod take to cook?
Cod fillets have a relatively quick cooking time. It takes about 20-25 minutes at 356°F-392°F, but the cooking time varies depending on the thickness of the fillets.
Can I add other vegetables or substitute leeks?
Yes, you can add zucchini, fennel, or carrots. You can substitute leeks with onions, sautéing them in a pan before the oven cooking.
Can I add a side dish to the plate?
Of course! Cod with leeks pairs well with many types of side dishes, especially with crispy baked potatoes or a fresh seasonal salad.
