Some people find cooking fish intimidating, but there’s no reason to be scared off. Well-cooked fish is a thing of beauty, and it needs only a few additional ingredients to shine! Case in point, our Paleo lemon pepper cod has only 5 ingredients, plus salt to taste. The simple combination of tart lemon and sharp black pepper elevates the tender fish from plain to wow! The dish couldn’t be easier to make at home but the flavor would be welcome on any restaurant menu. So dip your toes into the many Paleo fish dishes with this easy dinner. You won’t be disappointed with the flavor or the short ingredient list!
Get The Inside Scoop on Black Pepper
Did you know that the Piper nigrum plant produces three different kinds of peppercorns? That’s right, black pepper, white pepper, and green peppercorns all come from the same plant.
Black pepper is the most common form. It is made by harvesting the ripe fruits and boiling them briefly before setting them out to dry. In contrast, green peppercorns are harvested before the fruit is ripe, and white peppercorns are the seeds of the ripe fruit.
The compound that makes black pepper taste spicy is called piperine and it is different from the compound found in chili peppers, capsaicin.
Curly Leaf Parsley vs Flat Leaf Parsley
Curly leaf parsley and flat leaf, or Italian, parsley certainly look different, but do they taste different too? The answer is yes, they do! Curly and flat leaf parsley are cultivars of the parsley plant. This means that they have each been selectively bred to show particular traits.
Flat leaf parsley generally has a stronger flavor. This is the parsley you reach for when you are cooking and want to impart flavor into your dish. Curly leaf parsley, on the other hand, is associated with garnishing. It has a milder flavor and some people can’t taste it at all.
Both varieties can be used in this recipe. But if you’re looking for parsley flavor, reach for the flat leaf first!
More Paleo-Friendly Fish Dishes to Whip Up in Your Kitchen
From fresh cod and salmon to pantry staples like canned tuna and sardines, there is a whole world of fish dishes out there just waiting to be tried.
Or, for even more recipes featuring fish, check out this list of 60+ Paleo fish recipes. No matter what kind of fish you want to cook, there is a recipe there for you!
Chopped fresh curly or flat leaf parsley, to garnish
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 355°F (180°C).
Use a clean paper towel to gently pat dry the cod filets. Place each filet in a small roasting tray or rimmed baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Place 1 teaspoon (5 ml) of ghee on each filet and generously season with freshly ground black pepper. Place an equal amount of the lemon slices on top of the fish, covering each filet completely.
Place the roasting pan or baking tray in the oven and bake for 12 to 15 minutes until the fish is cooked to your liking. Remove from the oven and season with salt, if desired.
Place the filets on 2 plates and garnish with chopped curly parsley.
Notes
All nutritional data are estimated and based on per serving amounts.
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