Baked Whole Blue Cod

If you buy fish whole not only is it easier to tell if it is fresh, usually it is also cheaper. This aromatic recipe is a very simple, easy, low fat and flavoursome way of preparing a whole fish.

1 whole fresh blue cod (about 1kg)
3 kaffir lime leaves
1-2 chillies (medium heat)
sea salt
kelp pepper or freshly ground black pepper
3 tablespoons dry white wine, or water
oil

Preheat the oven to 180șC.
Lightly oil a large piece of tinfoil and place on a baking tray.

Scale and rinse the blue cod.
Cut three diagonal slashes in the flesh on each side.

Finely shred the lime leaves.
Cut the chillies in half lengthwise, remove the seeds and finely slice.

Pack some lime leaves and chilli into the slashes in the cod and spread the remainder in the cavity.
Season the sides and cavity with salt and pepper.
Place the cod on the tinfoil.
Sprinkle over the wine or water.
Crimp the edges of the foil together so that the cod is completely sealed inside.

Bake for about 30 minutes until the flesh is just opaque.
Leave to rest, sealed, for about 10 minutes.
Serve, with some of the cooking juices to pour over.

Margaret Brooker is a freelance food writer and the author of "At It's Best; Cooking with Seasonal Produce" and "New Zealand Food Lovers' Guide". Both are available from good booksellers nationwide.

This page was updated on 11 November, 2005