Herb & Pesto Encrusted Fish

 I first discovered this dish many years ago and since then it has become one of my absolute favourites. 
 
This dish is unbelievably simple...herb/pesto breadcrumbs completely cover your fish and you let it cook in a 200C oven for 12-15 minutes or until breadcrumbs become golden brown....this recipe serves 2 people

 
Ingredients (shopping list)
2 cod filets
5 slices of 2 day old bread (when making breadcrumbs try not to use fresh bread)
75 -100g butter
1 large onion
clove garlic
large handful of fresh herbs - basil & coriander work best
teaspoon of dried oregano
grated parmesan cheese - small handful
half a lemon/lime
large spoon of green or red pesto
dash of tomato ketchup
dash of olive oil
salt & pepper

Cooking Utensils (what you need in your kitchen)
Sharp knife
Wooden spoon
Chopping board
Food processor
Oven Dish
Wok or large frying pan

Preparation (prepare everything before you start)
 

- Wash your fish and dry on kitchen towel
- Finely chop onion & garlic
 

- Blitz your bread in a food processor to make your breadcrumbs (remove crusts if you want a finer breadcrumb)
- Chop your fresh herbs


Cooking (the method)

- Season your fish with salt & pepper & squeeze the juice of half a lemon/lime over them, marinade in the juice for the time it takes you to make the breadcrumbs
- Preheat your oven to 200C
 

- Place a Wok on a medium heat and saute your onions & garlic in 50g of butter until the onions become completely translucent (5-7 minutes)
- Before adding your breadcrumbs, remove from heat and add the final bit of butter (25-50g) & let melt (the butter will coat all the breadcrumbs so it is important you have extra otherwise the breadcrumbs are too dry)
 

- Add your breadcrumbs and stir until completely covered in the buttery onion mixture
 

- Now add your spoon of pesto & herbs, dash of tomato ketchup & stir until fully mixed into breadcrumbs
 

- Finally add your grated parmasan to the breadcrumb mixture

- You are now ready to place over fish.
- Lightly grease a oven dish with olive oil and place your fish skin side down. (if your fish does not have a skin side any side will do here)
 

- Cover the top & sides of the fish entirely with your breadcrumbs, pressing down on the edges to ensure it is sealed
- Place in the middle shelf of a preheated 200C oven for 12-15 minutes or until breadcrumbs are golden brown.

Serving Suggestion
The above fish goes with almost everything - Rice, Potatoes, Pasta, Salad, Corn on the cob, Roasted or Stir-fried Veggies
Chef tips
If you like things spicier add some fresh red chilli when sauteing your onions, also add some sambal with the pesto.

ENJOY!!!