Baked Cod with Mashed Potatoes and Green Beans

Ingredients

• Cod fillet 5 oz
• Potatoes 300 g
• Skim milk 1/2 cup
• Butter 1 tsp
• Green beans 125 g
• Salt to taste
• Black pepper to taste
• Olive oil 1 tsp

Method

1. Prepare the potatoes. Peel the potatoes and cut them into evenly sized chunks (about 1-2 inches). Place them in a large pot and cover with cold water. Add a pinch of salt to the water.
   Tip: Cutting potatoes into similar sizes helps them cook evenly.
2. Boil the potatoes. Bring the pot of potatoes to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, reduce to medium heat and cook until potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork, about 15 minutes.
   Tip: Start timing when the water boils to avoid overcooking.
3. Preheat the oven. While the potatoes boil, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
   Tip: Preheating ensures even cooking of the cod.
4. Prepare the cod. Place the cod fillet on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or lightly greased. Season both sides with salt and black pepper. Optionally, drizzle with a teaspoon of olive oil for extra moisture and flavor.
   Tip: Pat the cod dry with a paper towel before seasoning to help the seasoning stick.
5. Bake the cod. Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake the cod for 12-15 minutes, or until the fish flakes easily with a fork and is opaque all the way through.
   Tip: Check the cod at 12 minutes to avoid overcooking.
6. Steam the green beans. While the cod bakes, rinse the green beans and trim the ends. Place them in a steamer basket over boiling water, cover, and steam for 5-7 minutes until tender but still crisp.
   Tip: Avoid over steaming to keep green beans vibrant and slightly crunchy.
7. Mash the potatoes. Drain the cooked potatoes thoroughly and return them to the pot. Add the butter and warm skim milk. Mash using a potato masher or fork until smooth and creamy. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
   Tip: Warm the milk before adding to keep the potatoes hot and fluffy.
8. Plate and serve. Place the mashed potatoes on your plate, add the baked cod fillet next to it, and arrange the steamed green beans alongside. Optionally, add a small pat of butter on the green beans for extra flavor.
   Tip: Serve immediately for best taste and texture.

Pro tips

• Use fresh cod or fully thaw frozen cod for best texture and flavor.
• To speed up potato cooking, cut them smaller but keep pieces even.
• If you prefer richer mashed potatoes, you can replace skim milk with whole milk or add a little cream.