Cod Mornay Recipe
Cod mornay is a much-maligned dish thanks to the ghastly "TV Dinner" versions, but this classic French dish of fish baked in a bechamel-based cheese sauce is simply stunning!
Servings 2 Servings
Calories 654kcal
Ingredients
- 2 Boneless Skinless Cod Loin Pieces ∼350g Total
- ¼ teaspoon Salt
For the Breadcrumbs.
- 1 tablespoon Cooking Oil
- 25 g Dried Breadcrumbs ⅓ Cup
For the Spinach:
- 15 g Butter 1 tablespoon
- 200 g Baby Spinach 2½-3 Packed Cups
- ¼ teaspoon Salt
For the Mornay Sauce:
- 30 g Butter 2 tablespoon
- 30 g Flour ¼ Cup
- 300 g Full Fat Milk 1¼ Cup
- ¼ teaspoon Salt
- ¼ teaspoon White Pepper
- 50 g Grated Cheddar Cheese ½ Cup
- 1 tablespoon Wholegrain Mustard
Instructions
- Heat a small 15-20cm (6-8") frying pan over a medium-high heat, and when it is hot, add the oil for the breadcrumbs.Pour in the dried breadcrumbs and cook until golden. This will take 5-8 minutes, then transfer to some kitchen paper to absorb any excess oil. Then set aside.
- Heat a 20cm or 8" saucepan over a medium heat and melt the butter for the spinach.Throw in the spinach and salt and stir continuously until the spinach has wilted; this will take 5 or 6 minutes. Then transfer to a sieve and allow to drain whilst you cook the mornay sauce.
- Heat a 15cm or 6" saucepan over a medium-low heat and add the butter for the mornay sauce.Add the flour and stir for 2-3 minutes until the flour cooks out and forms a thick "paste" with the butter.
- Add the milk little by little until you have a smooth and lump-free white sauce; this will take 8-10 minutes.
- Turn the heat down to very low and add the cheese and stir until the cheese has melted and you have a very smooth sauce.
- Add the mustard, salt and white pepper, stir again and set aside for a moment.
- Squeeze out any moisture from the spinach and arrange two piles about the same size as the cod in a 25x17x5cm (10x7x2″) baking dish.Season the cod with a little salt and place it on top of the spinach.
- Pour over the cheese sauce, then sprinkle the breadcrumbs. I prefer to do this just over the fish.
- Transfer to the oven and cook at 180°C or 350°F for 25-30 minutes (less if you are using cod fillet). You want an internal temperature in the centre of the fish of around 60-63°C (140-145°F). It is best to allow the dish to rest for 2-3 minutes before plating.
Video
Nutrition
Serving: 1 | Calories: 654kcal | Carbohydrates: 33g | Protein: 57g | Fat: 33g | Saturated Fat: 19g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 11g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 181mg | Sodium: 1642mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 9g
