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Fish, Northern, Eastern and Western France

Roasted cod wrapped in bacon with braised endives

Roasted cod wrapped in bacon with braised endives is a fish dish for 4 people, ready in 45 minutes, easy to make, for €4.60 per person. Success comes down to the cod, which should stay pearly and moist under well browned bacon, and the endives, braised until the cooking water almost disappears.

Tonight, a cod loin wrapped in smoky bacon and roasted in the oven, with endives braised in butter.

Roasted cod wrapped in bacon with braised endives
Total time
45 min
Difficulty
Easy
Cost per person
€4.60
Calories per person
470 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach
Season
Fall, Winter

Cod wrapped in smoky bacon comes out of the oven with real contrast, a thin crisp crust around flesh that stays tender and pearly. The bacon melts slowly and seasons the fish without overpowering it, while the butter and lemon braised endives bring a light bitterness softened by a touch of sugar.

This is a cold weather dish, built for a weeknight dinner that breaks from simply pan seared fish, yet tidy enough for guests without extra fuss. The endives tame the bacon and the pan juices tie everything together, a clean plate that needs little watching once it's underway.

The ingredients

4 people

Fish counter

  • Cod loin 4

Butcher

  • Thin slices of smoked bacon 8 slices

Fruits and vegetables

  • Endives 6
  • Lemon 1

Dairy

  • Butter 50 g

Pantry

  • Sugaroften in the pantry 1 tsp
  • Thymeoften in the pantry 1 tsp
  • Olive oiloften in the pantry 1 tbsp
  • Saltoften in the pantry 1 pinch
  • Pepperoften in the pantry 1 pinch

Allergens Fish, Lactose

The step by step recipe

  1. Remove the bitter core from the endives, halve them, and brown them in the butter. 5 min

    Place the cut side down first, it caramelizes.

  2. Add the sugar, half a glass of water, and the juice of half a lemon, cover, and let braise. 25 min

    The water should nearly disappear, the endives will then be soft and glossy.

  3. Wrap each piece of cod with two slices of bacon, add pepper and a touch of thyme.

    Tuck the bacon seam underneath so it doesn't come loose.

  4. Place the cod on a baking sheet with the oil and roast at 200°C. 12 min

    The bacon should be golden, the cod flesh still pearly.

  5. Serve the cod over the endives, with the pan juices and a lemon wedge.

    Spoon the juices over the fish to make it glossy.

Our tips to get it right

  • Pick cod loins that are thick and evenly sized, they'll cook at the same rate and stay moist in the center.
  • Check doneness by gently lifting the bacon with a knife tip, the flesh should still flake into pearly layers.
  • Make the braised endives a bit ahead if needed, they reheat gently in a skillet without losing their softness.

The variations

  • Swap the cod for another firm white fish like haddock or pollock, adjusting the oven time slightly based on thickness.
  • For a fish free version, wrap chicken breasts in the same bacon and add a few extra minutes in the oven.
  • To save time, slice the endives into thinner strips, they'll braise in 15 minutes instead of 25.

What to serve it with

  • Steamed or mashed potatoes
  • Plain white rice
  • A glass of dry white wine

Storage

Keep leftovers in the fridge in a sealed container for up to 2 days, the fish dries out quickly after that. Reheat gently in a skillet or a low oven, freezing isn't recommended since the cod would lose its pearly texture.

Questions about this dish

Can you use frozen cod for this recipe?

Yes, as long as you thaw it fully in the fridge and pat it dry before wrapping it in bacon. A damp fish would stop the bacon from browning properly in the oven.

How do you keep the bacon from unwrapping while it cooks?

Always tuck the seam of the bacon slices underneath, against the baking sheet. The weight of the fish during cooking naturally holds the bacon in place.

Can you make the braised endives ahead of time?

Yes, they're easy to prepare a few hours ahead and reheat gently in a skillet. They stay soft as long as you avoid drying them out over high heat.

Why remove the core from the endives before cooking?

The core holds most of the endive's natural bitterness. Removing it leaves the braised endives with a light, pleasant bitterness, well balanced by the sugar and lemon.

How long does it take to make a roasted cod wrapped in bacon with braised endives?

Count 45 min in total, prep and cooking included. The recipe is rated “easy”.

How many calories are in a roasted cod wrapped in bacon with braised endives?

About 470 kcal per serving, for a recipe meant for 4 people. Calories are calculated by Kiloach, your weight coach, the app that partners with Mon Chou.

How much does a roasted cod wrapped in bacon with braised endives cost?

About €4.60 per serving, or €18.40 for 4 people, based on average supermarket prices.

What allergens does this recipe contain?

This recipe contains fish, lactose. Always check the labels of the products you buy.

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