• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Breathing And Cooking
  • Home
    • All Recipes
  • About
  • Mains
    • Dinner
    • Breakfast & brunch
  • sides & apps
    • Side Dish
    • Appetizers & Dips
  • baking therapy
    • Something Savory
    • Something Sweet
  • flavor
    • Sauces & Dressings
    • seasonings
  • Etc
    • How-To
    • Recipes for 1 or 2

A Simple Cod Dinner With Roasted Root Vegetables

March 3, 2021 by Erin 2 Comments

Jump to Recipe

Sometimes, my breath is taken away by how genuinely beautiful the simplest of meals can be. This is one of those meals. It’s unfussy, clean flavors need little more than a drizzle of olive oil, a few pinches of salt and a light sprinkling of parsley for their natural goodness to shine through.

broiled cod and stem tomatoes with roasted root vegetables on grey plate

Eating with your eyes

I was raised by parents who valued the visual beauty of the meals they put in front of us as much as the flavor of the food itself. Most of the time we weren’t eating anything fancy- comfort foods like meatloaf or crispy baked chicken & macaroni and cheese were staples- but my mom was really good at making sure there was color and balance on our plates. She never served a “beige meal” (her words) and garnished almost everything with a sprig of parsley or fresh mint. And there were always fresh, colorful vegetables. This was long before people were snapping pictures of their meals and posting them to social media.

She didn’t make beautiful food so strangers could admire her skills- she did it because cooking wasn’t a chore to her- it was an expression of her creativity and her love language- cooking was her art.

I’m forever grateful to my parents for teaching me at a young age to eat not just to nourish my body, but to feed my soul in the process. To appreciate the beauty in something that’s fleeting is what mindfulness is about. And when I sit down to a meal like this – as simple as it is- I feel “present”.

long, white platter with roasted carrots & parsley root garnished with carrot top fronds

Fresh, Quality Ingredients

Some things are just naturally easy, simple and delicious. This meal is one of those things. Fresh, quality ingredients don’t need much fussing over. This meal is so simple that we actually had it for lunch in the middle of the week. The cod was intended for fish tacos that night but I was craving something fresh and bright for lunch, I didn’t want a sandwich and my salad options were slim. Eric & I both work from home, so why not?

I also had these beautiful carrots that I’ve become somewhat obsessed with lately. I’m a sucker for young carrots that still have their tops attached and cherry tomatoes still on the stem. I think it’s because their stems and tops remind me of where they came from- that they weren’t born in a produce department.

In the middle of winter, when we spend so much time inside, they make me feel connected to the world outside.

  • parchment lined baking sheet with roasted root vegetables on top of stove
  • baking sheet with stem tomatoes and seasoned cod uncooked

Two Sheet Pans & 30 Minutes

This is less a recipe and more a method that allows the clean flavors and contrasting textures of fresh ingredients to shine through. It’s intentionally simple and the amounts are intentionally vague.

Sometimes I just crave simplicity. Sometimes I crave something more. Let your taste guide you and add other flavors if you’re feeling them (garlic, sumac, chipotle dressing…). Maybe sprinkle with a little citrus salt just before serving. That’s why we cook- to create food that reflects who we are 🙂

Here’s what you do

  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees F and get out two sheet pans
  • Young carrots don’t need peeled, scrub them with a vegetable brush and trim the tops (you can completely remove the tops, but I love the way it looks when there’s still some attached)
  • Arrange carrots (I also have parsley root here, prep the same way as the carrots, if using) on lined baking sheet, drizzle with a little olive oil & sprinkle with kosher salt and cracked pepper
  • Place vegetables in preheated oven and roast 20 minutes, checking halfway through and shaking pan to turn them
  • While carrots roast, place fish and cherry tomatoes on 2nd sheet, drizzle with olive oil, season with kosher salt, cracked pepper, Old Bay and a sprinkling of fresh, chopped parsley
  • When carrots are done, place on stove top and cover to keep warm, preheat broiler, place fish and tomatoes 5-6″ from heat and broil for 5 minutes
Cooked stem tomatoes and cod on baking sheet

That’s it. Beautiful Food. 30 Minutes.

Serve with lemon wedges.

On a pretty plate.

And don’t forget to breathe 🙂

Continue to Content
broiled cod and stem tomatoes with roasted root vegetables on grey plate

A Simple Cod Dinner With Roasted Root Vegetables

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes

Fresh, simple ingredients, two sheet pans and 30 minutes is all you need for a beautiful meal that will nourish you inside and out

Ingredients

  • fresh cod fillets 
  • young carrots (slim, so they cook evenly)
  • Parsley root (optional)
  • cherry tomatoes (on the stem, if possible)
  • fresh parsley
  • olive oil
  • kosher salt and cracked pepper
  • Old Bay
  • lemon wedges

Instructions

This is a meal that can easily be prepared for 1 person and scaled for more. I don't give measurements because everyone's appetite is different. A general guide would be 6-8 oz cod, 1 bunch tomatoes and 4-5 carrots per person. The seasoning is very simple, so feel free to dress it up with other flavors to make it your own!

  1. Preheat oven to 400 and get out two baking sheets
  2. Young carrots & parsley root don't need peeled, scrub them with a vegetable brush and trim the tops (you can completely remove the tops, but I love the way it looks when there's still some green attached)
  3. Arrange carrots and parsley root on lined baking sheet, drizzle with a little olive oil & sprinkle with kosher salt and cracked pepper
  4. Place vegetables in preheated oven and roast 20 minutes, checking halfway through and shaking pan to turn them
  5. While vegetables roast, place fish and cherry tomatoes on 2nd sheet, drizzle with olive oil, season with kosher salt, cracked pepper, Old Bay and a sprinkling of fresh, chopped parsley
  6. When carrots are done place on stove top and cover to keep warm, preheat broiler, place fish and tomatoes 5-6" from heat and broil for about 5 minutes
  1. Fish is done when it flakes easily. depending on the thickness you may need to broil a little longer. If you're nervous about whether or not it's done, use a digital thermometer- it should be taken out at 125 degrees f
  1. Place fish, carrots and tomatoes on a plate and serve with lemon wedges
© Breathing and Cooking

Filed Under: All Recipes, Dinner, Mains, Recipes for 1 or 2

Previous Post: « Melt-In-Your-Mouth Pork Belly Tacos
Next Post: The Only Cinnamon Roll Recipe You Need »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Janey Doerner

    March 3, 2021 at 12:30 pm

    I doubt I could or would ever jump to your recipe although it falls in line with all your other thoughtful things for those with little time I suppose. As for me though, I love reading anything and everything you write and share. So simple and easy to understand with attention to every detail. You’re such a gift along with your beautiful recipes. You make the reader hungry for not only food but for more of your knowledge that you share so lovingly. I’m so glad to have found you again, ❤️

    Reply
    • Erin

      March 3, 2021 at 1:04 pm

      Awww, Janey, thank you so much for your sweet words…you’re such a kind soul and I’m happy to have found you again, too! PS I think this recipe is a great opportunity to try something new and do something good just for you 🙂

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

What are you craving?

About Breathing & Cooking

Welcome to Breathing and Cooking, where slowing down and enjoying the process is as important as creating delicious, seasonal food to nourish your body and your soul. I'm Erin, the home-cook, writer and photographer behind B&C. I'm looking forward to sharing my love of family, food and life with you! Wondering what breathing has to do with cooking?

Let’s slow down, breath and enjoy the process together

https://breathingandcooking.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/2020-09-ErinMercuri-t03.mp4

 

Recent Posts

  • The Only Cinnamon Roll Recipe You Need
  • A Simple Cod Dinner With Roasted Root Vegetables
  • Melt-In-Your-Mouth Pork Belly Tacos
  • Charred Tomatillo Salsa
  • Life Changing Chocolate Chip Walnut Cookies

Looking for something specific?

April 2021
S M T W T F S
 123
45678910
11121314151617
18192021222324
252627282930  
« Mar    

Let’s connect

  • Email
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest

Follow me on Instagram to see what’s happening in real time and tag me @breathingandcooking with your own kitchen therapy!

breathingandcooking

What are you making for Easter dessert this weeken What are you making for Easter dessert this weekend? Today I had fun combining a couple of my favorite recipes to make something new for our early Easter dinner tonight😊 ... shortbread crust, NY cheesecake, and fresh lemon curd topped with toasted meringue. Lemon desserts feel like springtime 🌸🌞#lemonmeringuecheesecake #lemondessert #meringue #breathingandcooking
Do you save the gooey middle for the last bite, to Do you save the gooey middle for the last bite, too? Check out my latest blog post for the only cinnamon roll recipe you need. One recipe makes three kinds of rolls from fluffy pull-aparts to big spirals to tall golden jumbo buns.  What’s your favorite? #cinnamonrollsrecipe #cinnamonrolls #homemadebuns  #creamcheeseicing #breathingandcooking
I’m forever grateful to my parents for teaching I’m forever grateful to my parents for teaching me at a young age to eat not just to nourish my body, but to feed my soul in the process. To appreciate the beauty in something that’s fleeting is what mindfulness is about. And when I sit down to a meal like this - as simple as it is- I feel “present”. This post felt a little more like a love story than a recipe when I was writing it. But I love food so I guess that makes sense 😊. Take a few minutes to read my latest blog post for a simple cod and roasted root vegetable dinner- link in bio #simplefood #mindfulliving #cod #roastedrootvegetables #breathingandcooking
Mmmmmm pork belly tacos with charred tomatillo sal Mmmmmm pork belly tacos with charred tomatillo salsa are on the blog today... just in time for a Taco Tuesday tomorrow #porkbelly #porkbellytacos #tomatillosalsa #tacotuesday #breathingandcooking
Sometimes simple ingredients make the most beautif Sometimes simple ingredients make the most beautiful presentation. I suppose there’s a life lesson in there, too 😉 #beautifulfood #breathingandcooking #simplefood
So, meatballs have always stumped me. At least REA So, meatballs have always stumped me. At least REALY GOOD meatballs. I mean, I could make a passable meatball that could earn a “C+” on its report card. But I’ve longed for that light yet substantial, tender, full of flavor “A+” meatball. And I’ve long been dreaming of a giant, meal sized meatball like the ones I saw on a cable food porn show several years back. Wellllll tonight??? I think I nailed it. 8 oz meatballs that were everything I want a meatball to be with a simple marinara Ive been dying to try, some blanched green beans and a nice glass of red ...and I’m feeling pretty content right now. Happy weekend everyone!! #meatballs  #weekendfood #breathingandcooking
Snowed in today ❄️? Here’s an idea... take a Snowed in today ❄️? Here’s an idea... take a break from the screens, bake these cookies, pour yourself a cold glass of milk and enjoy the warm, cozy, gooey-cookie vibes 🥰 recipe just posted on the blog today! #gooeycookies #levaincookies #breathingandcooking #chocolatechipcookies #bakingtherapy #cookiebreak
When your husband not only texts you a recipe but When your husband not only texts you a recipe but also leaves a printed copy conveniently on the kitchen counter you know you need to make it. This recipe from @modern_honey for Levain Bakery Chocolate Chip Crush Cookies is SO good 🤩 and was the perfect treat for my favorite valentine @emercuri 🥰 if you love chocolate and walnuts and crispy on the outside soft and gooey in the middle cookies put these on your short list... you won’t be disappointed! #levaincookies #myvalentine #cookies
Breakfast this morning- soft scrambled eggs over f Breakfast this morning- soft scrambled eggs over fresh avocado with a drizzle of chipotle dressing and a sprinkle of lemon citrus salt 😍 such a great way to start the weekend! Visit the blog for the dressing and citrus salt recipes ... you’ll find so many uses for both! Happy Saturday everyone ❤️🤗#softscrambledeggs #avocado #breakfast #breathingandcooking
This guy right here 💓 ... Hannah sent over some This guy right here 💓 ... Hannah sent over some home made dog treats and Ollie told me she’s now his favorite sister (sorry @skybrae and @jillimeyer jillimeyer 😉) #dogtreats
It’s Taco Tuesday and these chipotle chicken and It’s Taco Tuesday and these chipotle chicken and bell pepper tacos can be on your table in one hour! I love it when something so delicious comes together so quickly 😍!!! The chipotle marinade doubles as a dressing you’ll find yourself using on everything!  3 new recipes on the blog now #tacotuesday #chickentacos #guacamole
Ollie watching us while we watch the Super Bowl 😂...made the chorizo and lentil soup from @cooksillustrated and it’s a keeper! I picked up their winter recipes 2020 issue on Friday morning and this is the 3rd recipe I’ve tried and the third winner 🤗 ... I have at least 10 more recipes dog-eared & I’m hoping the winning streak continues! What’s on your menu tonight? #cooksillustrated #chorizo #lentilsoup #soup
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Copyright © 2021 Breathing And Cooking on the Foodie Pro Theme

Terms and Conditions - Privacy Policy