Pulling out another one of those recipes from the days of being a private chef - Miso Marinated Black Cod! This one will legit win awards.
My first clients as a private chef were big time Nobu fans! They'd go on the regular and everyone would always order the Miso Marinated Black Cod and rave about it. Obviously being one to constantly step up my game, decided to take it upon myself and figure out how to make it at home so I could serve it at work! Here's the deal - it's SUPER easy. Like so easy it's insane. All you need are a few ingredients, which I tend to grab from my local Asian market but Whole Foods would have them too. Then just marinate the fish and broil it to perfection. Serve it up over some steamed white rice and charred green veggies and dinner is done.
Also just FYI - the way this fish is cooked lends itself to cooking for a crowd. So don't be hesitant to serve this next time you have company! People will freak out it's so good. White fish is generally a good candidate for that, and I recommend checking out pan fried sole as well.
Miso Marinated Black Cod
Ingredients
- ¼ cup sake
- ¼ cup mirin
- 4 tablespoons white miso paste
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- 4 black cod fillets about ⅓ pound each
- vegetable oil for cooking
Instructions
- Bring the sake and mirin to a boil in a medium saucepan over high heat. Boil for 20 seconds to evaporate the alcohol. Turn the heat down to low, add the miso paste, and whisk. When the miso has dissolved completely, turn the heat up to high again and add the sugar, whisking constantly to ensure that the sugar doesn't burn on the bottom of the pan. Remove from heat once the sugar is fully dissolved. Cool to room temperature.
- Pat the black cod fillets thoroughly dry with paper towels. Slather the fish with the miso marinade and place in a non-reactive dish or bowl and cover tightly with plastic wrap. Leave to marinate in the refrigerator for at least 3 hours and up to 3 days.
- Preheat oven to 425°F. Heat an oven-proof skillet over high heat on the stovetop. Lightly wipe off any excess miso clinging to the fillets, but don't rinse it off. Add a little oil to the pan, then place the fish skin-side-up on the pan and cook until the bottom of the fish browns and blackens in spots, about 3 minutes. Flip and continue cooking until the other side is browned, 2 to 3 minutes more. Transfer to the oven and bake for 5 to 10 minutes, until fish is opaque and flakes easily.
- Serve over a bed of white rice and charred broccolini
Could you sub white wine for the sake? I’m not really a sake drinker but tons of wine in my house!
sure!!
Where do you usually buy the sake? An Asian grocery store? or like a regular liquor store? Mirin is pretty easy and the miso I've finally tracked down, but not having much luck with the sake....
Any asian market would have it! Also in the alcohol section in whole foods and most safeways / ralphs etc
Looking to make for 8-10 people.. Any recommendations? Can you make this on the grill?
it's best in the oven! I'd just double all the ingredients
Hi Gaby! Is there a recommended time you would wait between taking the fish out of the fridge and placing it on the hot pan? Also, do you recommend broiling or baking? Looking forward to making this!
I'd let it come to room temp for at least 20 minutes. And baking as the recipe suggests!
Hi! If I’m using frozen cod should I defrost first, then add marinade, and let sit for recommended 2-3 days? I’m just getting comfortable with cooking fish, so wasn’t sure if recipe only works for fresh/non-frozen cod. Thanks!
you can marinate it while it thaws in the fridge!
You could also place the cod in an over safe dish, cover and bake at 400 degrees for about 13 minutes. It will cook through. This method is a bit more forgiving.
At 13 minutes, take the fish out, uncover and use a fork or paring knife to cut into the thicker part of the fish and make sure it’s cooked through,
This looks amazing! Do you think it would also work with salmon?
yes!
Made this tonight for dinner...Delish!!!!
Husband and son loved it as well. I will be making this again and again.
Fantastic!!!!
SO happy to hear this!! xox
Finally, a delicious sounding cod recipe!! Yum.
So far, I've only been using my miso paste for soup! Thanks for a great marinade recipe - well worth the wait of 24-48 hours, by the looks of these pictures.
Very nice marinade!
this look so good, but not very filling .what would you serve them with?
Happy Birthday do you have something wonderful planned?
That is a wonderful marinade. I stopped by just to say hello, but ended up browsing. I love your site. I'll be back often.
I love that marinade! A very healthy and tasty dish!
Cheers,
Rosa
Hi!
Your "Miso Black Cod" looks delicious. I am from the west coast and I am not sure what Black Cod is. We have all kinds of cod in the Pacific, but not this one.
Anyway, I will try your recipe. I follow you on my blog...so keep the cool recipes coming! Take care!
Thom
BBQing Tips From Deep In The Heart Of Oregon
I’m in Ventura, CA. You can use cod, halibut or any other mild white fish. This recipe is crazy-delicious and if it sounds only MAYBE good, you will be pleasantly surprised!