Pan-Seared Mediterranean Cod in Tomato Basil Sauce

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 3 large cloves garlic, finely minced
• 1 pint cherry tomatoes, sliced in half
• 1/4 cup vegetable broth
• 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (divided as 1 tbsp for sauce, 2 tbsp for seasoning)
• 1/2 cup fresh basil, finely chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon fresh lemon zest
• 1/2 teaspoon salt (more to taste)
• 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper (more to taste)
• 1 and 1/2 pounds fresh cod, cut into 4 fillets
• Additional salt and pepper for seasoning

Directions:

1. For the sauce, heat olive oil in a large sauté pan over medium heat.
2. Add red pepper flakes and garlic, sautéing for 1 minute.
3. Add cherry tomatoes and cook until soft and blistering (9-12 minutes).
4. Stir in vegetable broth and 1 tablespoon lemon juice.
5. Let it simmer gently.
6. Then, add basil, 2 tablespoons of lemon juice, zest, salt, sugar, and black pepper.
7. Cook for 2 minutes, then set aside.
8. For the cod, heat olive oil in another pan over medium heat.
9. Season cod with salt and pepper.
10. Cook until golden brown (about 3 minutes each side).
11. Pour the tomato basil sauce over the cod, warm up for a minute, then serve.

Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cooking Time: 25 minutes | Total Time: 35 minutes | Kcal: 320 | Servings: 4