Cod, chorizo & padron peppers

Not sure why, but as I have gained in years (and, sadly, girth), I have developed a real hankering for chilli and spicy curries. Am also keen on fish and we usually have a very restrained combo of baked fish with steamed green vegetables and a squeeze of lemon. Very healthy I know, but a teeny bit bland too. This recipe for Cod, chorizo & padron peppers uses cod, but the fish is where the similarity ends. It is full of flavour – hot sweet peppers really enhance the new potatoes and fish. Definitely got the thumbs up in my house… am sure it will do the same in yours! Waitrose usually stocks padron peppers – they are work seeking out as they have a slight bitterness that is brilliant with this dish. They say every 5th padron is very hot but I haven’t found this to be. Although many years ago, when we were in Ibiza and regularly eating a plate of them, it was true. Not sure why they are all mild now. Shame because the Russian roulette element was rather fun…

Cod, chorizo & padron peppers

Ingredients serves 2 (easily doubled up for 4)
10 baby new potatoes
100g chorizo, skinned and sliced
100g Lemon & Pepper breadcrumbs from Waitrose OR use Panko breadcrumbs mixed with zest of one fresh lime and 25g grated Parmesan
2 cod loins
150g padron peppers
10 piquante peppers (I used Pepperdew mild ones)
Olive oil

How to prepare
Preheat your oven to 220 degrees. Drizzle a little olive oil over the potatoes, sprinkle with sea salt and roast for 30 mins until browned and cooked through. Remove from oven and keep warm.Turn down the heat to 180 degrees. Lay the cod loins in a small roasting dish, brush them with olive oil and sprinkle over the breadcrumbs. Cook for 12 – 15 minutes (but no more otherwise the fish will lose it’s moisture).
Dry fry the chorizo for 3 – 4 minutes until the oil is released. Add the padron and piquante peppers and toss over a high-ish heat until the padron peppers are scorched and the chorizo is browned and crispy.

Lots more fab cod recipes where this one came from. Just type Cod into the Search box to the right of this post. For example, how about Parma Wrapped Cod with Sweetcorn & Asparagus? Click here to view