Braised Cod With Fennel, Potatoes & Littleneck Clams

Braised Cod with Fennel, Potatoes, and Littleneck Clams is a delicious and flavorful seafood dish. The cod fillets are seasoned with salt and pepper, then braised in a savory mixture of fennel, potatoes, tomatoes, and aromatic herbs and spices. The addition of clams adds a briny and fresh taste to the dish. The combination of tender cod, briny clams, aromatic fennel, and creamy potatoes creates a delightful seafood medley that is both comforting and satisfying. This dish is perfect for seafood lovers and makes for an impressive and flavorful meal.

SERVES: 4

INGREDIENTS:

• 4  5-oz. cod fillets (preferably 1 inch thick)
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 3 Tbs. extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 small fennel bulb (about 3/4 lb.), trimmed (leave core intact) and cut into 1/2-inch wedges, plus 1 Tbs. chopped fronds
• 2 large cloves garlic, finely chopped
• 1 medium-large shallot, chopped
• 2 8-oz. bottles clam juice
• 8 oz. small baby red or fingerling potatoes, scrubbed and sliced into 1/8-inch-thick coins, ends discarded (about 6 potatoes)
• 1 large tomato, cut into small dice (12 oz., about 1 1/2 cups)
• 2 Tbs. anisette liqueur, such as Pernod® or Sambuca®
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 large sprig fresh thyme
• 1/4 tsp. roughly chopped or coarsely ground fennel seed
• A generous pinch of saffron, crumbled (about 25 threads)
• 12 littleneck clams, scrubbed
• 1 1/2 Tbs. chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Position a rack in the center of the oven and heat the oven to 325°F. Season the cod with salt and pepper. Let it sit at room temperature while you prepare the braising mixture.
2. Heat the olive oil in a 12-inch oven-proof skillet over medium-high heat. Add the fennel, sprinkle with a pinch of salt and pepper, and brown on both sides, about 5 minutes total. Remove the pan from the heat and transfer the fennel to a plate. Put the pan over low heat and add the garlic, shallot, 1/2 tsp. salt, and 1/4 tsp. pepper. Cook, stirring, until just softened, 1 to 2 minutes.
3. Add the clam juice, potatoes, tomato, liqueur, bay leaf, thyme, fennel seed, and saffron to the skillet. Raise the heat to medium and bring to a simmer. Simmer for 3 minutes to start the potatoes cooking. Nestle the cod pieces and clams into the sauce, piling the fennel on top of the fish and making sure all of the potatoes are submerged.
4. Tightly cover the pan with a lid or aluminum foil and braise in the oven until the fish is almost cooked through, 10 to 15 minutes, depending on thickness.
5. With a slotted spatula, transfer the cod to 4 shallow bowls. Bring the braising liquid, clams, and vegetables to a brisk simmer on top of the stove, cover the pan, and cook until the clams are opened and the vegetables are tender, 3 to 6 minutes more.
6. Divide the opened clams (discard any unopened ones) and vegetables among the bowls. Add the fennel fronds and parsley to the braising liquid in the pan. Bring to a simmer and pour over the fish and vegetables.

NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION:

PER SERVING

• 340 CALORIES | 33G PROTEIN | 21G CARB | 12G TOTAL FAT | 1.5G SAT FAT |
  8G MONOFAT | 1.5G POLY FAT | 75MG CHOL | 530MG SODIUM | 4G FIBER

NOTE:

• You could use halibut in place of the cod. Crusty garlic bread served alongside is perfect for soaking up the flavorful sauce.