recipes articles & more

How to Roll a Roulade Cake
Ingenious Kitchen Tips
10-Minute Strawberry Recipes
Recipes Dads Love
How to Make Chocolate Soufflés
Win Steven Raichlen’s Must-Have Grilling Tools
Strawberry Mojito
Quiche Recipe: Create Your Own
Tour Steven Raichlen's Kitchens
How to Make Barbecued Chicken

Print It| Add to Favorites| | Pin It

Pistachio-Crusted Cod Fillets

by Abigail Johnson Dodge

read reviews (5)

Cod’s mild flavor gets a boost from a crunchy, nutty breadcrumb crust. If you don’t have pistachios, you can substitute other nuts, just be sure to pick meaty, flavorful nuts, like walnuts or pecans.
Serves 4

Get a quick and delicious recipe every day with our FREE Make it Tonight newsletter Make it Tonight Recipe

pistachios cod Dijon mustard more more

1/2 cup unsalted shelled pistachios
1/3 cup fresh breadcrumbs
2 Tbs. grated Parmesan
1/2 tsp. coarse salt; more to taste
1/8 tsp. finely ground black pepper; more to taste
2 Tbs. olive oil
4 cod fillets, preferably loin pieces (4 to 6 oz. each)
2 Tbs. Dijon mustard

Tip: • Whether using traditional or loin fillets, the doneness test is the same: The flakes will separate easily, and the fish will be opaque.

Heat the oven to 425°F. Line a small baking sheet with foil and lightly grease the foil (spray is fine).

Chop the pistachios into medium-fine pieces. Combine the nuts, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, salt, and pepper in a shallow bowl. Drizzle with the olive oil and toss with a fork until the crumbs are evenly moistened.

If using fillets with tapered ends, loosely fold the ends under to create a fillet of even thickness. Spread the top of each fillet evenly with the mustard. Press the mustard-coated side of each fillet into the crumb mixture to generously coat the fish. Set the fillets, coating side up, on the prepared pan. Sprinkle the remaining crumb mixture over the fillets to form a thick coating.

Bake the fillets until the topping is crisp and browned and the fish is cooked through, 10 to 12 min., depending on thickness (see below for doneness test). Serve immediately.

Serving Suggestions

Steamed green beans and red potatoes or brown rice are great accompaniments.

nutrition information (per serving):
Calories (kcal): 280; Fat (g): 16; Fat Calories (kcal): 140; Saturated Fat (g): 3; Protein (g): 26; Monounsaturated Fat (g): 9; Carbohydrates (g): 9; Polyunsaturated Fat (g): 3; Sodium (mg): 580; Cholesterol (mg): 50; Fiber (g): 2;

photo: Scott Phillips

From Fine Cooking 49 , pp. 82b

March 1, 2002

user reviews

Rate this Recipe

by CulinaryKind, 2/21/2013This is an amazing dish, I was searching for variations and came across this one. I make a very similar one but use melted butter with the Dijon mustard to help bind the pistachios to the cod. My recipe comes with some coconut quinoa as a side, you can see it here http://culinarykind.com/sides/simple-parmesan-rissoto/

by Artzee2, 7/13/2012Very delicious and very easy. Great for entertaining. My fishmonger did not get his order for cod so I had to substitute halibut and it was great. I agree that this topping could be used for many different types of fish.

by FSO, 12/15/2009This is one of those recipes I come back to again and again over the years. It's fabulous with cod, but for Christmas Eve, I dress it up with a variation using a side of salmon starting from the narrow tail end. I used the pistachios, bread crumbs, and add a roasted bell pepper or capers for some extra color and flavor. Then I use that mixture to decorate the salmon fillet like a Christmas tree. If you can find a star fruit, that can be sliced and placed at the top for extra decoration. This dish is our "Christmas Tree Salmon," and it's always a hit.

by JoanT, 9/3/2009This is great with any white fish or nuts. I have used halibut, northern pike, walleye, and red snapper...and almonds, pecans,walnuts and pine nuts...and for my fussy brother-in-law...no nuts! It's always a winner for family or company.

by lpicc, 9/29/2007I love this recipe - it is quick,easy and very tasty. I've even served it to company several times - it's always a hit.

join the conversation