Baked Cod with Tomato-Olive Relish and Herb Rice
Flaky baked cod topped with a bright tomato and olive relish, served over fragrant herb-infused basmati rice. This mediterranean-inspired seafood (mediterranean) ready in about 35 minutes pairs (5 oz each) cod fillets, quartered cherry tomatoes, pitted and sliced kalamata olives for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 4 pieces (5 oz each) cod fillets
- 1 cup, quartered cherry tomatoes
- 1/2 cup, pitted and sliced kalamata olives
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh basil
- 1 clove minced garlic clove
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 cup basmati rice
- 2 cups water
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F. In a bowl, combine 1 cup quartered cherry tomatoes, 1/2 cup sliced kalamata olives, 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley, 2 tbsp chopped fresh basil, 1 minced garlic clove, 2 tbsp olive oil, and 1 tbsp lemon juice. Stir gently and set aside.
- Step 2: Rinse 1 cup basmati rice under cold water until clear, then combine with 2 cups water and 1/2 tsp salt in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes until water is absorbed and rice is fluffy.
- Step 3: Pat dry 4 cod fillets and place them in a baking dish. Drizzle with 1 tbsp olive oil and season with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
- Step 4: Bake cod for 12-15 minutes until opaque and flakes easily with a fork.
- Step 5: To serve, spoon the tomato-olive relish generously over each cod fillet and plate alongside the herb rice.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Baked Cod with Tomato-Olive Relish and Herb Rice take to make?
Total time is about 35 minutes (15 min prep + 20 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Baked Cod with Tomato-Olive Relish and Herb Rice?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep (5 oz each) cod fillets from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Baked Cod with Tomato-Olive Relish and Herb Rice?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Baked Cod with Tomato-Olive Relish and Herb Rice for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Baked Cod with Tomato-Olive Relish and Herb Rice?
Mediterranean seafood like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
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