June 26, 2011

Tuscan Cod and Pepper-Spiked Polenta

I may have already told you this, but just in case I didn't, I am not a huge seafood fan.  I will eat it on occasion, except for shrimp...I'll only eat shrimp if I forget that I absolutely do not like it.  I have been discovering some new fish recipes lately, and it has been very interesting trying them out.  I do not enjoy seafood when it tastes "fishy," like it just came out of the sea and landed on my plate.  I found this recipe for Tuscan Cod, and it was spicy and delicious.  It didn't taste "fishy" at all!  

I had heard of polenta before and had always wanted to try it.  It's basically a cornmeal mush.  Now, I know that does not sound particularly appetizing, but I thought it went really well with the Tuscan Cod.  It seemed to balance the spiciness of the fish a little bit and added an interesting texture.

  
Tuscan Cod

Ingredients:
1 teaspoon olive oil
1/2 cup thinly sliced onion, separated into rings
1/2 cup diced red bell pepper
1 garlic clove, minced
1 cup chopped tomato
1 tablespoon capers (omitted)
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper
2 (6-ounce) cod fillets

Directions:
1.  Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat.  Add onion, bell pepper, and garlic; sauté 2 minutes.  
2.  Add tomato and next 3 ingredients; cook over medium-high heat 5 minutes; stirring occasionally.
3.  Add fish to skillet, spooning sauce over fish.  Cover and cook 10 minutes or until fish flakes easily when tested with a fork.  


Pepper-Spiked Polenta

Ingredients:
Cooking spray
4 cups water
1 cup yellow cornmeal
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Directions:
1.  Coat a 2-quart casserole with cooking spray; add water, cornmeal, salt and pepper.  Cover with casserole lid; microwave on HIGH 12 minutes or until thick, stirring after 6 minutes.
2.  Stir in cheese.  Serve immediately.

Source:  The Complete Cooking Light Cookbook

No comments:

Post a Comment