My youngest daughter used to detest white fish. Well, actually any fish. ‘Bacalao con Tomate’ Cod with Tomato Sauce is the exact recipe that turned all of that around! This has now become a family favorite. Tender and flaky cod is bathed in sweet and rich fried tomato sauce. ‘Bacalao con Tomate’ Cod with Tomato Sauce is a breeze to make and requires few ingredients. I use fresh cod for this recipe but you can use salted cod if you like which is used often in Spain. We like to eat this with white rice or fried potatoes and a fresh green salad. As always plenty of bread is always required for that very moreish sauce!

Cod with Tomato Sauce

Cod with Tomato Sauce

  • Cook Time: 45 min
  • Persons: 4
  • Difficulty: Easy

  • Ingredients
  • 1 lb of cod (I use fresh cod loin)
  • 1 tbsp regular flour
  • 1 tpsp salt
  • Few grinds of black pepper
  • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 cups of * Fried Tomato Sauce
  1. Instructions
  2. Cut the whole cod loin into 4 even pieces. Pat the fillets dry.
  3. Mix a pinch of salt and a few grinds of pepper with the flour.
  4. Coat each fillet generously in the flour and shake off the excess.
  5. Meanwhile heat oil in a shallow wide pan to medium/high.
  6. When the oil is hot enough gently place each fillet in the pan. Cook on both sides for 3 minutes and until golden brown crust forms.
  7. Add the fried tomato sauce and cook for a further 5 minutes. Gently shake the pan and spoon the sauce over the top of the fish as it cooks.
  8. Serve and enjoy!

Top Tips

  • If you are using thick salted cod fillets then rinse them first in cold water. Place the fillets in a bowl with cold water. Leave them to desalt over 3 days changing the water every 6-8 hours. 
  • A good quality jarred fried tomato sauce makes an excellent substitute for the homemade one!
  • If you are making this for the kids then cutting the cod into smaller bite-sized pieces is usually more appealing to look at and eat than a large slice of cod loin. This is how I first made it for my daughter who loved the little chunks of flaky cod swimming in all that sweet tomato sauce.

Cod with Tomato Sauce – Bacalao con Tomate

‘Bacalao con Tomate’ Cod with Tomato Sauce is a perfect family meal any day of the week. Succulent and flaky cod simmered in sweet and bright fried tomato. Goes great with fluffy rice or fried potatoes and a simple, fresh green salad. Plenty of bread is absolutely necessary!