Pan-Seared Cod & Lemon Butter with Kale & Saffron Rice

Pan-Seared Cod & Lemon Butter

with Kale & Saffron Rice

20 MIN
2 Servings
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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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Pescatarian
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From the Test Kitchen

A simple bed of rice gets a boost of bold color and delicate spice thanks to the addition of fragrant saffron as it cooks alongside tender bites of kale. The duo are a sophisticated pairing for delicate, flaky fish and a lemony butter sauce, lightly spiced with crushed red pepper.
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  • Nutrition
    PER SERVING
  • Calories
    640 Cals (est.)
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fresh
ingredients
Pan-Seared Cod & Lemon Butter with Kale & Saffron Rice
Title
  • 2 Cod Fillets
  • ½ cup Sushi Rice
  • 1 bunch Kale
  • 1 Lemon
  • 2 Tbsps Crème Fraîche
  • 1 oz Butter
  • ¼ cup Rice Flour
  • 1 Tbsp Weeknight Hero Spice Blend (Onion Powder, Garlic Powder, Smoked Paprika & Whole Dried Parsley)
  • 1 pinch Saffron
  • ¼ tsp Crushed Red Pepper Flakes
time-saving
tips & techniques
Make the kale rice
1 Make the kale rice

Wash and dry the fresh produce. Separate the kale leaves from the stems; discard the stems, then roughly chop the leaves. In a medium pot, combine the rice, saffron, a big pinch of salt, and 3/4 cup of water. Heat to boiling on high. Once boiling, place the chopped kale on top of the rice. Reduce the heat to low. Cover and cook, without stirring, 15 to 17 minutes, or until the water has been absorbed and the rice is tender. Turn off the heat and stir to combine. 

Coat & cook the fish
2 Coat & cook the fish

Meanwhile, on a large plate, combine the flour and spice blend. Pat the fish dry with paper towels. Season on both sides with salt and pepper. Working one piece at a time, thoroughly coat the seasoned fish in the seasoned flour (shaking off any excess flour). In a medium pan (nonstick, if you have one), heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil on medium-high until hot. Add the coated fish. Cook 2 to 3 minutes per side, or until browned and cooked through.* Leaving any browned bits (or fond) in the pan, transfer to a separate plate. 

*An instant-read thermometer should register 145°F.

Make the sauce
3 Make the sauce

Meanwhile, quarter and deseed the lemon. To the pan of reserved fond, add the juice of 2 lemon wedges, 1 tablespoon of water, and as much of the red pepper flakes as you’d like, depending on how spicy you’d like the dish to be. Cook on medium, stirring constantly and scraping up any fond, 30 seconds to 1 minute, or until combined and the liquid is slightly reduced. Turn off the heat. Stir in the butter until melted and combined. Taste, then season with salt and pepper if desired.

Finish the kale rice & serve your dish
4 Finish the kale rice & serve your dish

To the pot of kale rice, stir in the crème fraîche until combined. Taste, then season with salt and pepper if desired. Serve the cooked fish over the finished kale rice. Top the fish with the sauce. Serve the remaining lemon wedges on the side. Enjoy! 

Tips from Home Chefs

Make the kale rice
1 Make the kale rice

Wash and dry the fresh produce. Separate the kale leaves from the stems; discard the stems, then roughly chop the leaves. In a medium pot, combine the rice, saffron, a big pinch of salt, and 3/4 cup of water. Heat to boiling on high. Once boiling, place the chopped kale on top of the rice. Reduce the heat to low. Cover and cook, without stirring, 15 to 17 minutes, or until the water has been absorbed and the rice is tender. Turn off the heat and stir to combine. 

2 Coat & cook the fish

Meanwhile, on a large plate, combine the flour and spice blend. Pat the fish dry with paper towels. Season on both sides with salt and pepper. Working one piece at a time, thoroughly coat the seasoned fish in the seasoned flour (shaking off any excess flour). In a medium pan (nonstick, if you have one), heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil on medium-high until hot. Add the coated fish. Cook 2 to 3 minutes per side, or until browned and cooked through.* Leaving any browned bits (or fond) in the pan, transfer to a separate plate. 

*An instant-read thermometer should register 145°F.

Coat & cook the fish
Make the sauce
3 Make the sauce

Meanwhile, quarter and deseed the lemon. To the pan of reserved fond, add the juice of 2 lemon wedges, 1 tablespoon of water, and as much of the red pepper flakes as you’d like, depending on how spicy you’d like the dish to be. Cook on medium, stirring constantly and scraping up any fond, 30 seconds to 1 minute, or until combined and the liquid is slightly reduced. Turn off the heat. Stir in the butter until melted and combined. Taste, then season with salt and pepper if desired.

4 Finish the kale rice & serve your dish

To the pot of kale rice, stir in the crème fraîche until combined. Taste, then season with salt and pepper if desired. Serve the cooked fish over the finished kale rice. Top the fish with the sauce. Serve the remaining lemon wedges on the side. Enjoy! 

Finish the kale rice & serve your dish
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