Sure, here's a Serious Eats-style rewrite of the Lemon Herb Roasted Cod with Fennel and Olives recipe:
**Lemon Herb Roasted Cod with Fennel and Olives**
This simple yet flavorful dish is perfect for a weeknight meal. The cod is marinated in a mixture of lemon, herbs, and spices, then roasted with fennel and olives. The result is a moist and flaky fish with a bright and herbaceous flavor.
**Ingredients**
- 1 pound cod fillets
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 lemon, zested and juiced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 fennel bulb, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup oil-cured black olives, pitted and halved
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill
**Instructions**
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
2. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
3. In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon zest, lemon juice, garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper.
4. Pour the marinade over the cod fillets and let marinate for 15 minutes.
5. Arrange the cod fillets, fennel, and olives on the prepared baking sheet.
6. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the cod is cooked through and flakes easily with a fork.
7. Sprinkle with fresh dill and serve.
The story behind this recipe is a long and winding one. It all started when I was a young cook, working in a small restaurant in the Midwest. One day, the chef asked me to make a simple fish dish for a customer. I had never cooked fish before, but I was determined to do a good job.
I started by researching different types of fish and cooking methods. I eventually decided on cod, a mild-flavored fish that is easy to cook. I also decided to roast the fish, which would give it a crispy exterior and a moist interior.
For the marinade, I wanted something that would add flavor to the fish without overpowering it. I decided on a mixture of lemon, herbs, and spices. I also added a bit of olive oil to help keep the fish moist.
The final step was to roast the fish. I roasted the cod at a high temperature for a short period of time. This helped to create a crispy exterior and a moist interior.
The customer loved the dish, and I was so proud of myself for creating something so delicious. I've been making this recipe ever since, and it's always a hit with my family and friends.
Prep time: 15 | Cook time: 20 | Serves: 4
Ingredients
1 pound cod fillets
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 lemon, zested and juiced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 fennel bulb, thinly sliced
1/2 cup oil-cured black olives, pitted and halved
2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill
Instructions
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon zest, lemon juice, garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper.
Pour the marinade over the cod fillets and let marinate for 15 minutes.
Arrange the cod fillets, fennel, and olives on the prepared baking sheet.
Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the cod is cooked through and flakes easily with a fork.
Sprinkle with fresh dill and serve.
Why It Works
Marinating the cod in a mixture of lemon, herbs, and spices helps to add flavor to the fish without overpowering it.
Roasting the cod at a high temperature for a short period of time helps to create a crispy exterior and a moist interior.
Adding fennel and olives to the dish adds flavor and complexity.