Steaming Cod Perfection: A Simple Guide To Delicious Fish

Steamed cod is a delicious and healthy dish that can be prepared in a variety of ways. It is a popular dish in China and Taiwan, often served during Chinese New Year due to its symbolic meaning of wishing the family abundance and fortune. Steaming is an excellent way to cook cod as it preserves the nutrients in the fish while bringing out its sweetness. This cooking method also ensures that the fish holds its structure without falling apart, resulting in beautiful, flaky white flesh.

Characteristics of Steamed Cod Fish

How to steam cod without a steamer

Steaming cod is a simple and healthy way to cook this popular fish. You don't need a steamer to prepare it, and it can be done in a few simple steps.

Firstly, you will need a deep pot and a cooking ring that fits inside. Place the cooking ring in the pot and add boiling water until it reaches the ring. Then, select a plate that fits inside the pot and balance it on top of the cooking ring.

Next, season your cod fillets with salt, pepper, and lemon juice, and place them on the plate. Cover the pot and let the fish steam. The cooking time will depend on the size of your cod fillets, but it should take around 4-6 minutes for the fish to cook through. You can check if the cod is cooked by seeing if the flaky flesh separates easily.

Alternatively, you can steam cod in the oven using aluminium foil. Place the fish flat onto a sheet of aluminium foil and season with oil, salt, and pepper. Include vegetables or a sauce of your choice directly on top of the fish. Cover the fish with two additional sheets of aluminium foil, folding the sides inwards to create a sealed 'fish package'. Steam the cod in the oven and serve immediately.

How to make a sauce

To make a sauce for steamed cod fish, you can try a few different options.

A popular choice is to make a ginger and scallion sauce. To make this, you will need finely chopped ginger, scallions, and red chilies (optional). First, finely chop the ginger, scallions, and chili peppers. Then, heat up some avocado oil in a heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium-low heat for about 5 minutes. Place the aromatics on top of the steamed cod fillet, and then carefully pour the hot oil over the fish and aromatics.

Alternatively, you can make a fragrant herb paste to serve as a sauce for your steamed cod. To make this, you will need cilantro, dill, tarragon, parsley, white pepper, salt, lemon juice, and Dijon mustard. Mix these ingredients together in a bowl to form a thick paste. Slather this paste on top of the steamed cod fillets and serve.

Finally, a simple sauce for steamed cod can be made by drizzling olive oil and lemon juice over the fish and sprinkling it with coarse salt.

There are also a variety of other sauces that pair well with steamed cod, including hollandaise sauce, garlic lemon butter sauce, and sauce vierge.

How to prepare the fish

Preparing the cod for steaming is a simple process. First, clean the cod steak under running water and pat it dry with paper towels. Place the cod fillet on a plate and marinate with salt and cooking wine (or coconut aminos) for about 10 minutes. Cooking wine helps to reduce the fishy smell.

Next, you can add some aromatics to your fish. For a Chinese-style dish, sprinkle sliced ginger and red chilli pepper on top. You can also add scallions, either cooked or raw. For a Mediterranean twist, season with oil, salt and pepper, and add vegetables or sauce. If you want to add a sauce, you can make a paste with cilantro, dill, tarragon, parsley, pepper, salt, lemon juice and mustard, and spread it on the fish before steaming.

Now your fish is ready to steam!

How long to steam the fish for

The length of time you steam your cod will depend on the thickness of the fillet. For a 1-inch thick fillet, you should steam for around 10 minutes. If your fillet is thinner, reduce the cooking time by 2-3 minutes. If your fillet is thicker, add 2 minutes for every additional half-inch.

As a general rule, the fish is done when it flakes easily in the middle. You can check this by poking the fillet gently with a fork. If the fish flakes easily, it's cooked. If not, return to the steamer for another minute or two.

For super-thin fillets, check the fish after 5 minutes. For fillets less than 1 inch thick, check at 7 minutes.

What to serve with steamed cod

Steamed cod is a versatile dish that can be served with a variety of sides to enhance its mild and subtle flavour. Here are some ideas for what to serve with steamed cod:

Sauces

Cod's mild flavour makes it a great base for a variety of sauces. Try serving it with a light sauce, such as sauce vierge, hollandaise sauce, or a garlic lemon butter sauce. For an Asian twist, you could also try a spicy curry sauce or a soy sauce and scallion dressing.

Vegetables

Steamed vegetables are a healthy and colourful option to serve with cod. Broccoli, cauliflower, and peas are all great choices. If you want something a little more substantial, try roasted Brussels sprouts, honey-glazed carrots, or sautéed zucchini and onion. Green beans with garlic and lemon will also pair well with the mild flavour of cod.

Starches

If you're looking for something more filling, there are several starch options that go well with steamed cod. Mashed potatoes, quinoa, couscous, and rice pilaf are all great choices. For a more unique option, try coconut rice or roasted butternut squash risotto. Sweet potato fries or crispy potato stacks can also add a nice crunch to your meal.

Salads

A fresh salad can be a great side dish to complement the flavour of cod. Try a cucumber salad, or mix things up with a cucumber, avocado, and mango salad. A simple green salad with a light vinaigrette will also go well with steamed cod.

Appetizers

If you're looking for something to start your meal, there are several appetizer options that go well with cod. Baked crab cakes, bruschetta, or zucchini fritters are all tasty choices. Phyllo spinach dip cups or grilled endive wedges will also pair well with the mild flavour of cod.

Desserts

While dessert might not be the first thing that comes to mind when thinking of what to serve with steamed cod, there are actually several options that can complement the flavour of the fish. Sicilian cannolis or Italian ricotta pie can be a great way to end your meal on a sweet note. Chiacchiere di Carnevale, Italian doughnuts, or angel food cake are also delicious options.

Frequently asked questions