Pan-Fried Cod with Pea Purée and Mint
Lightly pan-fried cod fillets served with a vibrant fresh pea and mint purée, showcasing classic British spring flavors. This british-inspired seafood ready in about 25 minutes pairs shelled fresh peas, tightly packed fresh mint leaves, unsalted butter for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 290 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 fillets (6 oz each), skin-on cod fillets
- 2 cups, shelled fresh peas
- 1/3 cup tightly packed fresh mint leaves
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup water
Instructions
- Step 1: Bring a medium saucepan of water to a boil. Add 2 cups fresh peas and cook for 3 minutes until bright green and tender. Drain, reserving 1/4 cup cooking water.
- Step 2: Immediately transfer peas to a blender with 1/3 cup fresh mint leaves, 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice, 2 tbsp unsalted butter, 1 tsp salt, and 1/4 cup reserved pea water. Blend until smooth and creamy. Adjust seasoning as needed.
- Step 3: Pat dry 4 cod fillets and season both sides with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Heat 1 tbsp olive oil and 1 tbsp unsalted butter in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat.
- Step 4: Place cod fillets skin-side down in the skillet and cook for 4-5 minutes without moving until the skin is crisp and golden. Flip and cook for 2-3 minutes more until fish is opaque and flakes easily.
- Step 5: Serve each cod fillet on a bed of the pea and mint purée, spooning any pan juices over the top.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Pan-Fried Cod with Pea Purée and Mint take to make?
Total time is about 25 minutes (10 min prep + 15 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 Pan-Fried Cod with Pea Purée and Mint?
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 shelled fresh peas from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Pan-Fried Cod with Pea Purée and Mint?
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 Pan-Fried Cod with Pea Purée and Mint 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 Pan-Fried Cod with Pea Purée and Mint?
British 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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