FollowLast week, during our Chinese New Year trip back to Ipoh, my dad gifted me two enormous pieces of cod fish, each weighing at least 500 grams. Cod fish is a rare indulgence for us, as it’s rather pricey in KL. My dad makes it a point to buy this special treat for us once a year during CNY, knowing how much my girls and I love it.
This year, I decided to try something new with the cod fish (instead of steaming it which can taste quite fishy), and it turned out to be a delicious success! Here’s how I prepared this delectable fish dish.
Simple Yet Flavorful Marinade
I started by marinating the cod fish with a blend of:
A little sesame seed oil
Teriyaki sauce
Black pepper
Splash of Mirin (a sweet, alcoholic Japanese cooking wine). Mirin can add flavor to the fish while removing the fishy smell.
The marinade was simple yet packed with umami flavors, complementing the rich, creamy texture of the cod fish. As Alycia was rushing off to work (she’s currently interning), I didn’t even let the marinade sauce thoroughly marinate the fish. I put a few tablespoons of marinade sauce onto the fish and air-fried the fish.
Since the fish pieces were huge, I cut one into half and air-fried the first portion for about 15–20 minutes. Alycia got to enjoy the first piece as she had to head to work. Later, I air-fried the remaining portion for the rest of us.
The result was incredible. The texture of the cod fish was reminiscent of crab meat—creamy, tender, and absolutely delicious. There was no hint of a fishy taste, just the pure, delicate flavor of cod enhanced by the savory-sweet marinade.
I was so thrilled with how it turned out that I decided to use the leftover marinade to marinate the second piece of cod, which I quickly defrosted. The next day, I repeated the air-frying process, and once again, it was a hit.
This air-frying method and marinade combination has become my new go-to for preparing cod fish. It’s simple, quick, mess-free, and brings out the best in the fish. I’m already looking forward to trying this marinade on other types of fish, hoping for equally satisfying results.
What makes this dish even more special is the sentiment behind it. My dad’s thoughtful gesture of gifting us cod fish every CNY reminds me of the love and care woven into family traditions. It’s these little moments and gestures that make our celebrations truly meaningful.
Super tender, juicy, and flavorful air-fried cod fish that tastes like crab meat, YUMMY!
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