Northwest Fishing Reports

I have a bunch of cod and rock fish from my trip up to Neah Bay earlier this week but I have NO idea how to cook it. I don't have any way to deep fry it, so baking, broiling or pan frying it are my only options.

Help! I'm hungry.

Rockfish. Mmmm. My immediate thought is keep it simple. For a filet, salt and pepper each side. Get out a skillet, drizzle in some olive oil to coat the bottom of the pan lightly. Get the pan hot. Throw in the fish. Squeeze either lemon or lime juice over the fish filets. Use at least half the lime or lemon (if not more) (and don't skimp by using the pre-bottled stuff). 3 to 4 minutes each side and you've got good eats!

That does sound very basic, and very tasty. Anyone else have anything to add?

I really like Landlocked's method, but I prefer butter to olive oil. Not as good for you, but when it browns and gets that nutty flavor, it really adds to the dish.
That meat is really lean, so it cooks fast and can take on a lot of flavors, so simple is better. Most any seasoning salt or rub will be tasty. If you have a lot of it, experiment! Do a search on foodtv.com or recipezaar.com. So many options.

Another simple good recipe is fish tacos. The fish can be prepared almost any way, but you can simply pan fry it with some taco seasoning or mexican seasonings of your choice and then put it on a corn tortilla with a little sour cream, some shredded cabbage, avacado, onion, and cheese....I'm getting hungry. What time is dinner?

I agree, both rockfish and ling are very nice, moist, flakey white fish and don't need to be "over thought". It takes flavors easily, not like an all day marinade for salmon. Keep it simple off the bat for sure.

I usually bake or grill. I usually go with a simple dashing of spices. Can't go wrong with a dab of butter and a sprinkle of lemon pepper.

BUT.....if you really want something to knock your socks off Aaron.....TRY THIS RUB if you haven't already. This makes high quality fish in about 1 min.

It's called "rub with love" by Tom Douglas ($7 3.5 oz.). He has a series of these rubs I believe. Get the "seafood rub". I get it at Haggens grocery, but I'm sure it's around. MAN O MAN.....a light curry flavor with a little lemon, brown sugar,coriander. Just a coating of melted butter, sprinkle on the rub (you can be generous), and bake/grill. Absolutely my favorite for lingcod.......

=p~ =p~ =p~

(PS, I 'm clearing out my freezer, and thawed a fillet yesterday)

Yummmers.I do my cod in a baking dish with some sliced onion ,fresh garlic smashed nut cut,green red peppers cubed,fresh lemon juice squeezed on top then the rinds in the corner of the dish,a tad bit of white wine (not Thunderbird)about a 1/2 cup.Salt pepper to taste perhaps some red pepper flakes (hot) cover with foil bake at 350 1/2 hour to 40 minutes.Yummers.Low in calories and delish.

Aaron wrote:I have a bunch of cod and rock fish from my trip up to Neah Bay earlier this week but I have NO idea how to cook it. I don't have any way to deep fry it, so baking, broiling or pan frying it are my only options.

Help! I'm hungry.

Aaron,

fyi You don't need a deep fryer to deep fry. use your deepest stove top frying pan. Give it about 1" of oil,, fry away, turn the fish maybe twice.:chef: :chef:

Landlocked wrote:Rockfish. Mmmm. My immediate thought is keep it simple. For a filet, salt and pepper each side. Get out a skillet, drizzle in some olive oil to coat the bottom of the pan lightly. Get the pan hot. Throw in the fish. Squeeze either lemon or lime juice over the fish filets. Use at least half the lime or lemon (if not more) (and don't skimp by using the pre-bottled stuff). 3 to 4 minutes each side and you've got good eats!

Just tried this recipe with a nice fillet of cod... mmmmmmm. Very easy and tasted GREAT. Thanks a bunch.

JoAnn says go to Bed Bath and Beyond and get a deep fryer. Although I will say the method you used is at least a bit healthier. Glad you liked it!

I agree with Mike & JoAnn about getting a deep fryer. And if you don't have a good flour / batter recipe to dip the fillets in, you can get a "batter" mix at the local grocery store. Nothin better than deep fried fresh caught cod. I also like it fried in butter (medium heat so the butter doesn't burn) with some garlic and onion powder added to the melted butter before cooking the fish. Sounds like you had a good bottom fishing trip. Congrats.

Lets get a bit more exotic here.

Macadamia nuts
Coconut
Bread crumbs

Chop the above for the crust

Flour (for dredging)

1 egg whipped with equal amt coconut milk

Dredge halibut/ling cod/rockfish in flour, shake off excess
Dip in egg/coconut milk mixture
Press fish in crust mix. Cover all sides and edges

Spray Pam in a baking dish
Put crusted fish in dish

Bake for10/12 minutes per inch in a preheated 400 degree oven

While the fish cooks make the sauce

Chop 1 mango
Chop 1 jalapeno
Chop 1 sweet red pepper
Mix together with 1 tablespoon lime juice
If you like onion you can finely chop a wedge and add

To serve

Spread coconut milk on the plate in a puddle slightly larger than the fish
Place baked crusted fish on top of coconut milk
Top with mango salsa

Moan with pleasure as you eat

Wow! You guys have me going to the freezer! :chef:

Aaron, google Ceviche. Thats what we do with rockfish and shrimp.

E

I have always liked to use a little garlic powder and onion powder, dried dill and salt,pepper to taste. Don't go overboard with the spices because white fish takes on spices very well. You can cook them in butter for a great taste or use veggie oil or olive oil lightly in a pan. Or you can put the fish in a shallow pan in the oven at 375until browned and flakey or under broiler for about 3-4 minutes per side until flaky. The rule of thumb is 10 min to the inch. There are a jillion recipes on the web. You might try a nice hollandaise sauce or a lemon dill sauce with the fish. Good luck to you, Steve...BTW this will work with salmon as well

i always like to steam it i use a tall and wide pot put a plate in the middle cut about 3 slits down to bone about 2 inches depending on size of rock cod / lingcod . add tofu to bottom of the plate. marinate the lingcod/ rock cod with black bean sauce. let it sit in their for about 15-20 mins take out add parsley on top with a lil pepper should taste great :D

bottom fish are definitely best deep fried! (in my opinion at least) but you dont need a deep fryer. just get a fryin pan and put about a half inch of oil in there and get it really hot and your good to go!

I have some from Westport. I like to cut my fillet into chunks and roll it in shake and bake and bake it at 400 for about 10 to 15 minutes. Its almost like deep frying but less in the fat content. And really good!!!