Basque-Style Cod with Sweet Pepper-Tomato Sauce & Freekeh

Basque-Style Cod

with Sweet Pepper-Tomato Sauce & Freekeh

50 MIN
2 Servings
Wellness at Blue Apron
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Vegetarian
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600 Calories Or Less
Coming in at 600 calories or less per serving, these recipes are ideal for those choosing to monitor their caloric intake without sacrificing flavor. The US Food & Drug Administration uses 2000 calorie daily intake for general advice. The 600 calorie cap equates to 30% of the total 2000 calories per day based on 3 meals per day with 200 calories remaining for snack or beverage.
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From the Test Kitchen

Basque cooking, which draws from both French and Spanish traditions, is known for its vivid red sauce—a delicious accompaniment to mild cod. In classic fashion, we’re using fresh bell pepper and ground Espelette pepper, infusing the tomato sauce with its characteristic smokiness. A simple relish of parsley, almonds and garlic tops it all off with a bit of crunch (and brings out the sautéed garlic in the dish).

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  • Nutrition
    PER SERVING
  • Calories
    570 Cals (est.)
fresh
ingredients
time-saving
tips & techniques
Cook the freekeh:

1 Cook the freekeh:


Heat a small pot of salted water to boiling on high. Once boiling, add the freekeh and cook, uncovered, 22 to 25 minutes, or until tender. Drain thoroughly and return to the pot. Off the heat, drizzle with olive oil and stir to combine; season with salt and pepper to taste.

Prepare the ingredients:

2 Prepare the ingredients:


While the freekeh cooks, wash and dry the fresh produce. Peel the garlic; thinly slice 2 of the cloves. Mince the remaining clove; using the flat side of your knife, smash until it resembles a paste (or use a zester). Cut out and discard the stem, ribs and seeds of the bell pepper; medium dice. Peel and medium dice the onion. Finely chop the parsley leaves and stems. Finely chop the almonds.

Start the sauce:

3 Start the sauce:


While the freekeh continues to cook, in a medium pan (nonstick, if you have one), heat 2 teaspoons of olive oil on medium-high until hot. Add the bell pepper, onion and sliced garlic; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, 6 to 8 minutes, or until softened.

Finish the sauce:

4 Finish the sauce:


Add the diced tomatoes, vinegar and half the ground Espelette pepper to the pan; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, 6 to 8 minutes, or until saucy and slightly reduced in volume; season with salt and pepper to taste. Transfer to a bowl and set aside in a warm place. Rinse and wipe out the pan.

Cook the cod:

5 Cook the cod:


Pat the cod fillets dry with paper towels; season with salt and pepper on both sides. In the same pan, heat 2 teaspoons of olive oil on medium-high until hot. Add the seasoned fillets and cook 3 to 4 minutes on the first side, or until lightly browned. Flip and cook 2 to 3 minutes, or until cooked through. Remove from heat.

Make the parsley-almond relish & plate your dish:

6 Make the parsley-almond relish & plate your dish:


While the cod cooks, in a bowl, combine the parsley, almonds and as much of the garlic paste as you’d like. Slowly stir in enough olive oil to create a rough paste; season with salt and pepper to taste. Divide the cooked freekeh and finished sauce between 2 dishes. Top with the cooked cod fillets. Garnish with the remaining ground Espelette pepper, parsley-almond relish and a drizzle of olive oil. Enjoy!

Tips from Home Chefs

1 Cook the freekeh:


Heat a small pot of salted water to boiling on high. Once boiling, add the freekeh and cook, uncovered, 22 to 25 minutes, or until tender. Drain thoroughly and return to the pot. Off the heat, drizzle with olive oil and stir to combine; season with salt and pepper to taste.

2 Prepare the ingredients:


While the freekeh cooks, wash and dry the fresh produce. Peel the garlic; thinly slice 2 of the cloves. Mince the remaining clove; using the flat side of your knife, smash until it resembles a paste (or use a zester). Cut out and discard the stem, ribs and seeds of the bell pepper; medium dice. Peel and medium dice the onion. Finely chop the parsley leaves and stems. Finely chop the almonds.

Start the sauce:

3 Start the sauce:


While the freekeh continues to cook, in a medium pan (nonstick, if you have one), heat 2 teaspoons of olive oil on medium-high until hot. Add the bell pepper, onion and sliced garlic; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, 6 to 8 minutes, or until softened.

4 Finish the sauce:


Add the diced tomatoes, vinegar and half the ground Espelette pepper to the pan; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, 6 to 8 minutes, or until saucy and slightly reduced in volume; season with salt and pepper to taste. Transfer to a bowl and set aside in a warm place. Rinse and wipe out the pan.

Finish the sauce:

Cook the cod:

5 Cook the cod:


Pat the cod fillets dry with paper towels; season with salt and pepper on both sides. In the same pan, heat 2 teaspoons of olive oil on medium-high until hot. Add the seasoned fillets and cook 3 to 4 minutes on the first side, or until lightly browned. Flip and cook 2 to 3 minutes, or until cooked through. Remove from heat.

6 Make the parsley-almond relish & plate your dish:


While the cod cooks, in a bowl, combine the parsley, almonds and as much of the garlic paste as you’d like. Slowly stir in enough olive oil to create a rough paste; season with salt and pepper to taste. Divide the cooked freekeh and finished sauce between 2 dishes. Top with the cooked cod fillets. Garnish with the remaining ground Espelette pepper, parsley-almond relish and a drizzle of olive oil. Enjoy!

Make the parsley-almond relish & plate your dish:

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