Ingredients:

  • 4 skinless cod fillets (approx. 6 oz / 170g each, 1 inch thick)
  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened or melted
  • 4 cloves fresh garlic, minced finely
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, freshly chopped
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
  • 1 teaspoon coarse sea salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions:

  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly grease your baking dish.
  2. Pat the cod fillets very dry with paper towels. Season lightly on both sides with a pinch of salt and pepper. Place them in the prepared baking dish.
  3. In a small bowl, combine the softened butter, minced garlic, lemon zest, lemon juice, chopped parsley, remaining salt, pepper, and optional red pepper flakes. Mix well until everything is evenly incorporated into a fragrant paste/sauce.
  4. Spoon the garlic butter mixture evenly over the top of each cod fillet, ensuring the entire surface is coated.
  5. Bake for 12–15 minutes. The fish is cooked when it flakes easily with a fork, or when an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C) is reached.
  6. Carefully remove from the oven. Let rest for 2 minutes before serving immediately, spooning any excess glorious butter sauce from the dish over the fish.