Cod with bacon, lettuce & peas

Method 1

Ingredients

2 tsp sunflower oil

2 rashers rindless smoked streaky bacon

cut into small pieces

1 long shallot

or small onion, very finely sliced

1 garlic clove

crushed

2 x 140g/5oz thick skinless cod

fillets

140g frozen pea

200ml chicken stock

fresh or made with ½ cube

2 Little Gem lettuces

thickly shredded

2 tbsp half-fat crème fraîche

2 thick slices crusty wholegrain bread

to serve

step 1

Heat the sunflower oil in a medium non-stick frying pan. Add the bacon, shallot or onion, and garlic. Cook gently, stirring, for 2 mins, then push to one side of the pan.

step 2

Season the cod with ground black pepper. Fry in the pan for 2 mins, then turn over. Add the peas and stock, and bring to a simmer. Cook over a medium heat for a further 2 mins, then add the lettuce and crème fraîche. Cook for a couple mins more, stirring the vegetables occasionally, until the fish is just cooked and the lettuce has wilted. Serve with bread to mop up the broth.

Method 2

🍽️ Cod with Bacon, Lettuce & Peas

🛒 Ingredients (Serves 2–4)

2–4 cod fillets (skinless or skin-on)

4–6 strips bacon (chopped)

1 small head lettuce (like butter or romaine, chopped)

1 cup (150g) peas (fresh or frozen)

2 tbsp olive oil or butter

2 cloves garlic (minced)

½ cup (120ml) chicken or vegetable stock

2 tbsp fresh parsley (chopped)

1 tbsp lemon juice

Salt and black pepper (to taste)

👩‍🍳 Instructions

1. Cook the bacon

Heat a large pan over medium heat

Cook chopped bacon until crispy

Remove and set aside, leaving a little bacon fat in the pan

2. Cook the cod

Season cod with salt and pepper

Add olive oil or a little butter to the pan

Sear cod for 3–4 minutes per side until golden and cooked through

Remove and set aside

3. Make the vegetable base

In the same pan, sauté garlic for about 30 seconds

Add peas and stock; simmer for 2–3 minutes

Stir in lettuce and cook briefly until just wilted

4. Combine

Return bacon to the pan

Add lemon juice and parsley

Gently place cod on top and warm through for 1–2 minutes

5. Serve

Spoon the bacon, lettuce, and peas mixture onto plates

Place cod on top and drizzle with pan juices

💡 Tips

Use smoked bacon for extra depth

Don’t overcook the lettuce—it should stay bright and slightly crisp

Great served with mashed potatoes, crusty bread, or buttered new potatoes

Comments

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