A fast, family-friendly recipe for baked cod, with a tasty cheese and leek topping. A simple midweek supper that everyone will enjoy.
I love getting an organic vegetable box. But because I am never organised enough to specify what goes in it, every evening meal turns into the invention test from Masterchef.
Forced creativity!
Being forced to create something quick and tasty at short notice has its advantages. For instance, it was how this delightful baked cod recipe arose!
I had cod. I had a leek from the veg box.
Somehow I needed to speedily combine the two into a tasty, family-friendly meal. A few store-cupboard essentials later, and hey presto! Baked cod with cheddar and leek crumb topping. Fast, easy and a hit with everyone present.
Baked cod – ingredients
This tasty supper was made with just a few simple ingredients. To make baked cod with a cheesy leek topping yourself, you will need:
- Cod fillets – choose firm pieces of fish, around 100-115g (approx 4 oz) each
- Leek – savoury, earthy, mildly sweet, and so tasty!
- Cheddar cheese – I like a flavourful mature cheddar but choose a mild or medium cheese to your preference
- Herbs and spices – I seasoned mine with thyme and nutmeg
- Breadcrumbs – to bulk the topping and help it to get nice and crispy
- Olive oil – for frying the leeks and binding the topping together
- Butter (or more oil) to grease the baking dish
Deconstruction…
My daughter Kipper insisted on deconstructing her baked cod, and eating the fish and the topping separately. I can’t really complain though, since she ate a full portion and then had seconds. (As did I, and DH too).
Serves four – or three, if you cut the last piece into three bits so everyone can have seconds.
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📖 Recipe
Cod with cheddar and leek crumb topping
Ingredients
- Butter to grease a baking dish
- 1 large leek
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 35 g finely grated cheddar cheese
- 20 g dried breadcrumbs
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- ¼-½ teaspoon grated nutmeg
- 4 pieces cod fillet around 100-115g (approx. 4 oz each) each
Instructions
- Butter to grease a baking dishPreheat the oven to 180°C (350°F). Butter a baking dish large enough to hold the fish with space between the pieces.
- 1 large leekTrim the leek and remove the outer leaves. Wash thoroughly to remove any dirt or grit. Slice finely into 1-2mm rounds.
- 1 tbsp olive oilHeat the oil in a frying pan over a moderate heat. Add the leeks and sauté until soft – about 3-4 minutes. Remove from the heat.
- 35 g (⅓ cups) finely grated cheddar cheese, 20 g (2 tablespoon) dried breadcrumbs, 1 tsp dried thyme, ¼-½ tsp grated nutmegMix the grated cheddar with the breadcrumbs, thyme and nutmeg. Add the sautéed leeks and mix thoroughly.
- 4 pieces cod filletPlace the cod fillets in a buttered baking dish. Divide the leek mixture into four equal portions and press one portion down on top of each piece of fish.
- Bake the cod in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, until the fish is cooked through and cheddar and leek crumb topping is beginning to brown. Serve immediately.
Nutrition
More delicious fish recipes
If you’d like more delicious recipes using white fish, how about:
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