Baked Cod with Lemon and Oregano

This is a simple and flavorful way to cook cod. The fish is marinated in a mixture of olive oil, lemon juice, oregano, salt, and pepper, then baked until cooked through. The result is a tender, flaky fish with a bright, citrusy flavor.

I first came up with this recipe when I was working as a line cook at a seafood restaurant. We would often have leftover cod fillets at the end of the night, and I would always try to come up with new and interesting ways to cook them. One night, I decided to marinate the fillets in a mixture of olive oil, lemon juice, oregano, salt, and pepper, then bake them. The result was so delicious that I decided to add it to the restaurant's menu. It quickly became one of our most popular dishes.

Prep time: 15 | Cook time: 20 | Serves: 4

Ingredients

• 1 pound cod fillet, cut into 4 equal pieces
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
2. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
3. Pat the cod fillets dry with paper towels.
4. Place the fillets on the prepared baking sheet.
5. In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, oregano, salt, and pepper.
6. Pour the marinade over the cod fillets and turn to coat.
7. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the fish is cooked through and flakes easily with a fork.
8. Sprinkle with parsley and serve.

Why It Works

• The combination of olive oil, lemon juice, oregano, salt, and pepper creates a flavorful marinade that helps to keep the fish moist and tender.
• Baking the fish at a high temperature helps to create a crispy exterior while keeping the interior flaky.
• The parsley adds a fresh, herbaceous flavor to the dish.