Mediterranean · main

Microwave Mediterranean Cod

Microwave Mediterranean Cod reads salinity 5.1, umami 5.0 and marine & briny 4.8 on Palate's 0–10 flavor X-ray — a Mediterranean main, about 25 min. Measured from the recipe itself: ingredients and technique.

The flavor X-ray — six axes, 0–10

• Umami & Savory — 6.3 / 10
• Sweet & Fruity — 2.4 / 10
• Sour & Bright — 2.4 / 10
• Bitter & Earthy — 3.1 / 10
• Rich & Fat — 3.5 / 10
• Aromatic & Spice — 4.1 / 10

The measured notes (of 18)

Salinity 5.1 · Umami 5.0 · Marine & Briny 4.8 · Allium 3.8 · Richness 3.3 · Funk & Ferment 3.0 · Earthy 2.9 · Herbaceous 2.5 · Sourness 2.2 · Fruity 1.9 · Bitterness 1.8 · Sweetness 1.6 · Nutty 0.8 · Warm Spice 0.7 · Citrus 0.7 · Floral 0.6

What's in it (11)

• 1 small onion
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1 Tbsp. salad oil
• 1 medium zucchini
• 1 (8 1/4 oz.) can tomatoes
• 1/4 lb. sliced mushrooms
• 2 Tbsp. tomato paste
• 1/2 c. pitted olives, cut in half
• 2 (6 oz.) cod or halibut steaks
• 1/4 tsp. oregano
• parsley sprigs for garnish

Time & effort: about 25 min · effort: involved

Nutrition (per 100 g, engine-estimated): 131.4 kcal, 20.9 g protein, 3 g fat, 4.1 g carbs

Dietary: Contains meat · Contains seafood — engine-derived; double-check anything allergy-critical.

How it's cooked (10 steps)

1. In 1 1/2 quart casserole, cook onion, garlic and oil on High, covered, 4 to 4 1/2 minutes in microwave.
2. Cut zucchini lengthwise in half, then crosswise in 1/4 inch slices.
3. Add onion mixture with next 3 ingredients.
4. Cook covered on High 10 minutes.
5. Stir once.
6. Add olives; cover and cook 5 to 7 minutes, until tender. Sprinkle fish steaks with oregano.
7. Moisten 2 paper towels; place fish steak on each towel.
8. Twist corners together.
9. Cook on High 2 1/2 minutes, just until outer edges of fish are opaque.
10. Serve sauce and fish on plate with garnish.

Dishes with a similar flavor shape

• Tiella di Riso, Patate e Cozze — Italian · Puglia
• Spaghetti alla Puttanesca — Italian
• Baked Salmon Puttanesca — Italian-American
• Sicilian Fish Soup — Italian
• Fregola con Arselle e Bottarga — Italian · Sardinia

Keep reading: what salinity, umami, marine & briny mean in the flavor lexicon · the world's cuisines, by flavor.

See how this dish fits your palate — take the short taste test →

Every number above is Palate's engine-measured estimate, computed from this recipe's ingredients and techniques — not human-tasted ratings or reviews.