A vibrant and refreshing Sephardic-inspired dish, perfect for a light meal or a sophisticated appetizer, especially delightful when served chilled. The bright red sauce, bursting with fresh vegetables and herbs, beautifully complements the delicate cod fillets.
Ingridients
Adjust Servings
Nutrition
Carbohydrate
20 g
Cholesterol
37 mg
Fiber
5 g
Protein
19 g
Saturated Fat
1 g
Sodium
595 mg
Sugar
11 g
Fat
10 g
Unsaturated Fat
0 g
Follow The Directions
01
Step
In a large, heavy-bottomed saucepan or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat. (2 minutes)
02
Step
Add the minced parsley and chopped pimientos. Season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until fragrant, about 3-5 minutes. (5 minutes)
03
Step
Stir in the crushed tomato puree and fresh tomatoes. Bring the mixture to a simmer. (3 minutes)
04
Step
Add the sliced carrots, celery, and minced garlic. Continue to simmer, stirring occasionally, until the carrots are tender-crisp, about 8-10 minutes. (10 minutes)
05
Step
Stir in 1/4 cup of water and 2 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste. If the sauce is too thick, add a little more water to reach your desired consistency. (2 minutes)
06
Step
Gently place the cod fillets into the pan, nestling them into the sauce. Do not stir, to avoid breaking the fish. Spoon some of the sauce over the top of each fillet. (2 minutes)
07
Step
Sprinkle the sugar evenly over the fish and sauce. Cover the pan and reduce the heat to low. Simmer gently until the fish is cooked through and flakes easily with a fork, about 6-8 minutes, depending on the thickness of the fillets. (8 minutes)
08
Step
Remove the pan from the heat and let the dish cool completely at room temperature. (30 minutes)
09
Step
Stir in the remaining 1 tablespoon of fresh lemon juice. Transfer the fish and sauce to a serving dish. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours to allow the flavors to meld and the dish to chill thoroughly. (120 minutes)
10
Step
Serve cold, garnished with fresh parsley, if desired.
For best flavor, make this dish a day ahead to allow the flavors to fully develop in the refrigerator.
If you don't have pimientos on hand, you can substitute roasted red bell peppers, peeled and chopped.
Feel free to use other types of white fish, such as haddock, hake, or snapper.
Adjust the amount of lemon juice to your preference.
This dish can be served as an appetizer or a light main course, alongside crusty bread or a simple salad.
Our recipe authors are passionate food lovers who share thousands of diverse dishes from around the world. They bring daily cooking inspiration with delicious, easy-to-make recipes for every occasion.
Timmothy Goyette
Jun 24, 2025The fish came out perfectly tender using this method. I will definitely make this again.
Vance Crooks
Jun 18, 2025Simple to make and absolutely delicious, a new family favorite!
Minnie Littel
Jun 12, 2025I added a little bit of smoked paprika to the sauce and it gave it a wonderful depth of flavor.
Blair Dubuque
Jun 3, 2025I used canned diced tomatoes instead of fresh and it worked out great. This recipe is very forgiving.
Chad Marquardt
May 30, 2025This is a healthy and flavorful way to enjoy fish. Thank you for sharing this recipe!
Sigurd Schuppe
May 26, 2025I made this for Passover and it was a huge hit! Everyone loved the combination of flavors.
Leonard Murphy
May 26, 2025This recipe is fantastic! The flavors are so bright and refreshing, perfect for a summer lunch.
Thad Rippin
May 15, 2025Don't skip the chilling step! It really makes a difference in the overall taste.