Black Cod with Swiss Chard, Olives, and Lemon

A sophisticated seafood dish featuring perfectly seared black cod served with braised Swiss chard, oil-cured olives, and preserved lemon. The fish is seasoned with aromatic cumin and coriander, while the greens are enhanced with garlic and a gentle heat from red pepper flakes.

4 servings
57 min

Ingredients

  • 1 whole lemon
  • ¼ teaspoon coriander seeds
  • ¼ teaspoon cumin seeds
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 4 pieces black cod fillet
  • to taste salt and pepper
  • 1 clove garlic
  • ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
  • 2 bunches Swiss chard
  • 2 tablespoons black olives
  • spice mill

Cooking Instructions

  1. 1.

    Place lemon in a small saucepan; add water just to cover. Place a small heatproof plate inside the saucepan, on top of the lemon, to keep it submerged. Bring water to a boil; reduce heat and simmer until lemon is very tender when pierced with a knife, about 30 minutes. Drain. Cut lemon in half (to help cool faster); let cool.

    30 min

  2. 2.

    Scoop out pulp from both lemon halves and press pulp through a coarse-mesh sieve into a small bowl; discard solids. Finely chop peel and pith and add to pulp. Set aside.

    5 min

  3. 3.

    Toast coriander and cumin seeds in a small skillet over medium heat, stirring often, until slightly darkened and fragrant, about 3 minutes. Set aside.

    3 min

  4. 4.

    Coarsely grind coriander and cumin seeds in spice mill or with mortar and pestle. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Season fish with spice mixture, salt, and pepper; place skin side down in skillet. Cook until browned and crisp, 5-6 minutes. Turn; cook until just opaque in the center, 2-4 minutes more.

    10 min

  5. 5.

    Meanwhile, heat remaining 1 tablespoon oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes; cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add chard by the handful, tossing and allowing it to wilt slightly between additions. Season with salt and pepper. Cook, tossing occasionally, until all chard is tender, 5-7 minutes. Set aside.

    7 min

  6. 6.

    Mix olives and reserved lemon mixture into chard. Season with salt, pepper, and more crushed red pepper flakes, if desired. Serve fish with chard.

    2 min

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