Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto
- Easy
- 10 min
- Kcal 288
Cod with sun-dried tomato relish is a true gem from Calabria, down in Southern Italy, where simple dishes—seriously good—are packed with huge flavor. It's all about the baked cod recipe magic—bringing together sweet, tender sun-dried tomatoes and the punch of Tropea red onions. I mean, those onions are a staple. And they’re really really famous in Italy for being sweet and mild. Can't go wrong with that. They just fit perfectly with the relish, giving every bite that salty, tangy, juicy mix. Pretty simple, right? It's one of those easy cod recipes that really lets the good stuff shine through.
When you're short on time, a sun-dried tomato relish just works great for turning simple oven-baked cod into something special. And here's the thing: Calabria’s cooking is all about big flavors from everyday stuff—fish, olive oil, you know, those sun-dried tomatoes. They've been soaking up flavor in oil for weeks. Plus, every bite is crispy on the edges but stays so so moist and soft in the center. So here's the deal, it's a great Mediterranean seafood recipe for anyone wanting a healthy fish dinner without the hassle.
This isn't one of those heavy meals that leaves you feeling stuffed—just a quick seafood option that goes perfectly with fresh bread, a salad, or whatever you've got. And look, it comes together in no time but tastes like you spent hours on it. Really, thanks to those Southern Italian flavors working their magic. For real, anyone who loves a good oven-baked cod with a kick of tangy tomato and onion will want this again and again. Perfect for those nights you’re low on time but still craving flavor. With its easy prep and bold taste—delicious—this dish is sure to become a staple in your home cooking lineup. And the sauce? So good!
To prepare the cod with sun-dried tomato paste, start by cleaning the Tropea onion: remove the ends 1 and the outer layer of the onion, then cut it in half 2 and finally into very thin slices 3.
Transfer the onion slices to a bowl with ice water, this way it will retain its crunchiness 4. Take the sun-dried tomatoes in oil, drain them, and cut them into pieces 5, then finely chop them with a knife until you get a paste 6.
Now pour the oil into a non-stick pan and heat it over medium-high heat, then slightly lower the heat and add the cod 7: cook for about 6 minutes without turning it, rotating the pan to distribute the oil evenly and prevent the pieces from sticking to the bottom 8. After this time, gently turn the cod with a spatula and let it cook for another 6 minutes over medium heat 9. In the meantime, drain the red onion and dry it with kitchen paper.
Once cooked, transfer the cod to plates, placing it on a base of chopped sun-dried tomatoes, then add a few slices of raw onion, a sprinkle of black pepper 10, and a drizzle of raw oil 11: your cod with sun-dried tomato paste is ready to be served 12!