Baked Cod with Lemon, Brown Rice, and Steamed Green Beans

Ingredients

• Cod fillet 6 oz
• Brown rice 1 cup
• Green beans 1 cup
• Lemon juice 1 tbsp
• Olive oil 1 tsp

Method

1. Preheat the oven. Set your oven to 400°F (200°C) so it’s hot and ready for baking the cod.
   Tip: Preheating ensures even cooking of the fish.
2. Prepare the cod. Pat the cod fillet dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture. Place it on a baking dish lined with parchment paper or lightly greased.
   Tip: Dry fish bakes better and gets a nicer texture.
3. Season and drizzle. Drizzle 1 teaspoon of olive oil evenly over the cod. Then pour 1 tablespoon of lemon juice on top. Optionally, sprinkle a pinch of salt and pepper if you like.
   Tip: Lemon juice adds brightness and helps keep the fish moist.
4. Bake the cod. Place the baking dish in the preheated oven. Bake the cod for 12-15 minutes until it flakes easily with a fork and is opaque throughout.
   Tip: Check doneness by gently pressing the thickest part of the fillet with a fork.
5. Cook the brown rice. If not already cooked, prepare brown rice according to package instructions (usually 1 cup rice to 2 cups water, simmered for 40-45 minutes). For this recipe, use 1 cup cooked rice.
   Tip: Cooking rice ahead saves time; reheat gently before serving.
6. Steam the green beans. Trim the ends of 1 cup fresh green beans. Steam them over boiling water for 5-7 minutes until tender-crisp and bright green.
   Tip: Avoid overcooking to keep beans crunchy and nutritious.
7. Plate and serve. Place the cooked brown rice on your plate, add the steamed green beans on the side, and top with the baked cod fillet. Spoon any pan juices from the cod over the fish for extra flavor.
   Tip: Garnish with a lemon wedge or fresh herbs if desired.

Pro tips

• Use fresh lemon juice for the best flavor and brightness.
• Patting the fish dry before baking helps achieve a better texture.