
Algerian Chermoula Cod with Saffron-Lemon Potatoes and Charred Zucchini
A North African Mediterranean lunch — cod marinated briefly in chermoula (cilantro, parsley, garlic, cumin, paprika, lemon, olive oil) and pan-seared, served alongside saffron-lemon potatoes and quickly charred zucchini. Cod is one of the densest natural iodine sources, the mineral your thyroid uses to make hormone in the first place.
- Prep
- 10 min
- Cook
- 15 min
- Total
- 25 min
- Servings
- 1
Ingredients
- 130g (raw)Atlantic or Pacific cod fillet
- 150g (cooked, skin-on)baby potatoes, halved
- 100gzucchini, sliced into 1-cm rounds
- 25gextra virgin olive oil (about 1.75 tbsp)
- 8gfresh cilantro, chopped
- 8gflat-leaf parsley, chopped
- 2cloves (6g)garlic, minced
- 1/2tsp (1g)ground cumin
- 1/2tsp (1g)sweet paprika
- 1pinchsaffron threads (about 0.05g)
- 1tbsp (15g)lemon juice
- 1tsp (2g)lemon zest
- 1/4tsp (1.5g)sea salt
- 1/8tspblack pepper
Instructions
- 01
In a small bowl, combine the chopped cilantro, parsley, garlic, cumin, paprika, lemon juice, half the olive oil, and a pinch of salt. Stir to make the chermoula. Spoon half over the cod, turn to coat, and let it sit while you start the potatoes.
- 02
Bring a small pot of salted water to a boil. Steep the saffron in 2 tablespoons of warm water for 2 minutes. Add the halved potatoes to the boiling water and cook 10-12 minutes until just tender. Drain.
- 03
While the potatoes cook, heat 1 teaspoon of the olive oil in a small skillet over medium-high heat. Add the zucchini in a single layer, season with a pinch of salt and pepper, and cook 4 minutes per side until charred. Remove to a plate.
- 04
Wipe the skillet. Add 1 teaspoon more olive oil and lay the cod skin-side down. Cook 3 minutes. Flip carefully, baste with a spoonful of chermoula, and cook 2-3 more minutes until the cod flakes easily.
- 05
Toss the warm potatoes with the saffron water, the lemon zest, and a drizzle of the remaining olive oil. Plate the potatoes, the zucchini, and the cod. Spoon the rest of the chermoula over the cod.
Nutrition (per serving)
- Calories
- 495kcal
- Protein
- 28g
- Carbs
- 38g
- Fat
- 24g
- Fiber
- 6g
- Selenium
- 43mcg
- Zinc
- 1.6mg
- Iron
- 2.6mg
- B12
- 1.1mcg
- Iodine
- 130mcg
- Sodium
- 580mg