Cod with Spicy Tumeric Coconut Sauce

I expect so much out of my food. I want it to be healthy, quick, pretty, inexpensive, flavorful and if it can make as few dirty dishes as possible, extra bonus points. Yeesh, I’m demanding. Sometimes all of those boxes get ticked, though, and I can happily enjoy dinner knowing I got exactly what I wanted.

If you’re as demanding of your food as me, here is one of those dishes that has it all. It also happens to be gluten-free and dairy-free. I added tumeric for its beautiful warm yellow color and its anti-inflammation properties.

This one-skillet meal is almost too pretty to eat, but you’ll love eating it, too. I like serving this dish in shallow bowls with a large spoon to catch every drop of the tasty broth.

Cod with Spicy Tumeric Coconut Sauce

Adapted from Marcia Kiesel for Oprah.com, serves 4

I used 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper and it had a good amount of spice. If spice isn’t for you, add a pinch for flavor or try 1/8 teaspoon. I used light coconut milk this time which turned out delicious, but try full-fat coconut milk for even more creaminess. I used cod, but any firm white fish (orange roughy, sea bass, halibut) will work great or even try salmon. Tumeric stains, so make sure to clean up wherever it drips right away.

Ingredients

2 tablespoons grapeseed oil, coconut oil or any neutral oil
4 – 6 ounce fillets of cod
1 large onion, thinly sliced
1/8-1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
2 teaspoons tumeric
1 – 13.6 ounce can unsweetened coconut milk
juice of half a lemon
1 pound baby bok choy (2 heads), washed, core removed and cut into 1″ slices
sea salt
freshly ground pepper

Instructions

In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of grapeseed oil over medium-high heat. Season cod fillets with a sprinkle of sea salt and freshly ground pepper on both sides. When skillet is hot, add fillets and cook for 2 minutes per side. Use a spatula to make flipping the cod easier. Transfer to a plate.
Add 1 tablespoon of grapeseed oil to the skillet and turn the heat down to medium. Add the sliced onion, a pinch of salt, cayenne and tumeric. Cook until soft, 5-6 minutes, using a wooden spoon to scrape up any fish left behind from the searing.
Add the coconut milk and lemon juice and simmer for 5-7 minutes or until the coconut milk reduces a little and thickens. Add baby bok choy and simmer 1 minute. Taste and add more salt, if necessary.
Nestle the fillets in the skillet and simmer 2 minutes to reheat and cook through. Serve immediately.

16 Notes Leave a Note

This looks SO, SO delicious. Such a fresh and inspired recipe for our winter-weary palates!

nicoledula said on February 4, 2014 at 11:39 am :

What a nice thing to say, Elizabeth! Thank you 🙂

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Nicole this looks amazing! I love all the flavors that are happening in this dish. Gorgeous photos..

nicoledula said on February 4, 2014 at 1:23 pm :

Thanks, Erika! The upside to all of this snow is that my kitchen is filled with lots of natural light 🙂

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My mouth is watering just looking at this Nicole! Love the photos and the fish just looks so fresh and simple. I often poach salmon in coconut milk with lemongrass and ginger, but I’ve never thought to try cod with coconut. Great idea!

nicoledula said on February 5, 2014 at 4:12 pm :

Thanks, Jess! Your poached salmon with lemongrass, ginger and coconut milk sounds wonderful!

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Oh my, this looks like pure comfort in a bowl (and healthy comfort at that)! I love the colors and all the veggies here.

nicoledula said on February 6, 2014 at 3:31 pm :

Yes! Healthy comfort food is what I was striving for. Thanks!

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Beautiful, Nicole! I’m pretty demanding of my food, too. What can ya do? 🙂

nicoledula said on February 6, 2014 at 4:54 pm :

Thanks, Kasey! I’m glad I’m not alone 🙂

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i saw this on food52 – so exciting! and i love that bright yellow color. what a beautiful dish.

nicoledula said on February 10, 2014 at 10:31 am :

Thanks, Shoko! I’ve fallen for that warm yellow color, too, and have started putting tumeric in lots of recipes lately 🙂

Reply

Mentioned on: avocado and spinach salad + weekend links | brooklyn supper

Made this tonight and it was delicious!

Nicole Dula said on January 16, 2017 at 2:07 pm :

Happy to hear that, Jill!

Reply

Mentioned on: 23 Awesome Turmeric Recipes That Will Spice Up Your Health | Yuri Elkaim

Dula Notes

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Cod with Spicy Tumeric Coconut Sauce

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