Name: Cod au Gratin – Newfoundland Style
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 30 min
Ingredients: 1½ lbs fresh cod fillets ((about 700g)); ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese; ½ tsp lemon pepper; 2 tbsp butter; 2 tbsp flour; 1½ cups whole milk; 1 tbsp Dijon mustard; ½ tsp thyme; ½ tsp sea salt; 2 cups grated cheddar cheese; ¾ cups breadcrumbs; 2 tbsp olive oil

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The Endearing Rock

On a visit to Newfoundland in late summer, 2019, I was blown away by the natural beauty of the place and the amazing people that call “the rock” home.

The land and climate can be harsh here and the surrounding waters unforgiving. Those that have toughed it out are some of the friendliest, hospitable and fun-loving folks you’ll find. Newfoundlanders, many with ancestry traced back to Ireland, have some unique traditions and good-natured ways. There’s the lilting dialect spoken, accented with cute and quirky phrases. Then there’s the kitchen parties and screeching in ceremonies for “come from aways” (visitors).

Cod Almighty

With most of the island’s communities located on bays along its rugged shoreline there is a close connection to the sea. The nearby rich fishing grounds of the Northwest Atlantic are the main reason these towns were settled centuries ago. Cod fueled the island economy for generations until overfishing collapsed the fishery in 1992.

Nowadays, the managed fishery sets seasons and catch limits for both commercial and recreational fishers. The season typically runs from July to October. The fish population in the region has not yet returned to historic levels but you will still find fresh cod in many local eateries when in season. You’ll find fish and chips on the menu from dockside food trucks in quaint Quidi Vidi to pubs overlooking majestic Bonne Bay. Note, “fish” here is used synonymously with cod.

For a change, you’ll want to try the Newfoundland specialty, Cod au Gratin. Its posh sounding title is fitting, as its baked in a rich creamy sauce and topped with melted cheese. I was impressed with how delicious fresh cod can be. It’s a real winner among white fleshed fish as it easily cooks up tender, flakey, plump, and slightly sweet.

Portion the cod pieces into an oven-proof dish, sprinkle with lemon-pepper seasoning and Parmesan cheese.

Pour in the sauce then top with cheddar cheese and bread crumbs. Bake for 30 minutes at 350 F.

Let’s fire up a scoff, b’y!
Let’s get cooking

Cod au Gratin – Newfoundland Style

Kevin Lamoureux

Tender cod filets baked in a creamy sauce and smothered in melted cheese.

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Prep Time 20

Cook Time 30

Course Main Course

Cuisine Canadian

Servings 4

Calories 681 kcal

Equipment

3 or 4 au gratin dishes (oven proof serving dishes), mixing bowl, whisk, saucepan

Ingredients

1½ lbs fresh cod fillets (about 700g)
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
½ tsp lemon pepper
2 tbsp butter
2 tbsp flour
1½ cups whole milk
1 tbsp Dijon mustard
½ tsp thyme
½ tsp sea salt
2 cups grated cheddar cheese
¾ cups breadcrumbs
2 tbsp olive oil

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350 F.
Rinse the fish, remove any bones and cut fillets into roughly 3-inch segments.
Grease the au gratin dishes then place the fish segments into the dishes.
Sprinkle the fish with Parmesan cheese and lemon pepper seasoning. Set aside.
Melt the butter in a saucepan, whisk in the flour and cook for about 2 minutes.
Gradually add the milk and whisk constantly until the sauce begins to thicken.
Stir in the mustard, thyme and salt.
Pour the sauce over the fish in the au gratin dishes then top with cheddar cheese.
In a mixing bowl, toss the breadcrumbs with the olive oil.
Sprinkle the breadcrumbs over the cheese and bake for 30 minutes or until the fish has fully cooked and the topping has browned.

Notes

Lemon pepper is a time saving spice combination and is ideal for seasoning seafood. If you can’t find any, you can substitute lemon pepper seasoning with ½ tsp salt, ½ tsp pepper and 1 tsp lemon zest in this recipe.

Instead of au gratin dishes, this recipe can also be baked in a shallow 9″ x 9″ casserole dish.

Nutrition

Per serving

Keyword baked, cheese, cod, fish

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Suggested side dish

Oven Roasted Gourmet Potatoes

When serving Cod au Gratin I like to take advantage of the 350 F oven to bake a tray of those little gourmet potatoes. Use the same bowl that you tossed the breadcrumbs in, add a dash more oil, a little salt then toss the potatoes (whole) to coat them in the salt and oil. Place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and cook alongside the fish for 30 mintues. I like to dip the potatoes in the cream sauce in the au gratin dish.