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You are here: Home / Recipes / Gluten-free / Cajun blackened cod with creamy avocado dressing – and a NoMU giveaway [closed]

Cajun blackened cod with creamy avocado dressing – and a NoMU giveaway [closed]

by Jeanne Horak on April 17, 2013 30 Comments in Gluten-free, Main course - seafood

CajunCodTitle © J Horak-Druif 2013

Don’t you hate it when you finally find the store that sells jeans that actually fit your shape – and it goes out of business.  Or you finally find the perfect  shade of concealer that does not make you look like an outpatient at the jaundice clinic – and the company discontinues that particular shade. Or you find a versatile, affordable food that you truly love and can’t get enough of… only to find out it causes cancer in rats; or that producing it decimates the rain forests – or that eating it is wiping out a species?  That’s pretty much the case with Atlantic cod, a fish with which Britain has had an extremely protracted love affair in the shape of classic fish and chips. As a result of over-enthusiastic commercial fishing and bad fisheries management over decades, the Atlantic cod population went into steep decline and these days ordering cod on a menu is nearly as fraught with ethical dilemmas as ordering foie gras.

But wait – there is a flicker of hope!  Although Atlantic cod populations are severely under stress, cod stocks in other places are healthier because of better management and more sustainable fishing methods – other places like Norway.  Up to two-thirds of the fish caught in some European waters are thrown back into the sea dead because of the way the EU’s common fisheries policy and quota system works.  But over 25 years ago, Norway introduced a ban on fish discards and as a result, cod stocks have recovered. So if you can find Norwegian cod, feel free to buy with a clear conscience!  But if you want to be in for a real treat, ask your fishmonger to get you some Skrei.

 

Skrei © J Horak-Druiff 2013

 

Skrei is a highly seasonal delicacy and is only available each year between January and April.  This is when millions of migrating cod travelling thousands of miles from the Barents Sea back to their spawning grounds along the northern part of the Norwegian coast, off the Lofoten islands.  In fact, the name “skrei” comes from an old Norse word meaning “to move forward or migrate.” As the cod migrate over these vast distances, their flesh becomes exceptionally firm, white and supple. Although many migratory cod are caught, only the top quality fish gets graded as Skrei cod, fulfilling the following criteria:

  • only large, fully grown fish can be caught (approx. five years old)
  • all fish are line-caught from day boats
  • the skin needs to be immaculate, with no scratches, bruising or injuries
  • fish have to be packaged within 12 hours of being caught

 

Skrei © J Horak-Druiff 2013

 

Skrei has been certified by the MSC and has only reached the UK shores in the last couple of years, but has already been enthusiastically received by chefs and diners alike.  So is it any different to the cod you are used to?  For a start, it is a beautiful fish with a glistening, speckled skin and thick, juicy flakes of translucent flesh, separated by distinct layers of fat. When cooked, it is this fat that melts and allows the flakes to, well, flake!  To me, the difference in taste between any old supermarket cod and Skrei is like the difference between a standard beef steak and Wagyu beef: it’s cod, just a little richer in texture and somehow cleaner in taste.  When the Norwegian Seafood Council recently sent me some Skrei to try, I wanted to be sure to taste the fish itself as much as possible, so I wanted to keep it simple – maybe just a spice rub and then a pan fry.

 

CajunRub © J Horak-Druiff 2013

 

NoMU Box

 

 

This is where NoMU comes in – one of my favourite South African brands and maker of wonderful hot chocolates, fonds and fine spice blends, including the Cajun rub that I used.  Unlike some Cajun blends, this one is chunky, is not overloaded with salt, and has a real spicy bite – a perfect partner for the sweet, firm flesh of the Skrei.  A little bird also tells me that after years of being pestered to do a cookbook, NoMU has recently launched a rather novel concept. They did not want a static recipe book that gets read once and then sits on the shelf – instead, they wanted something more interactive and collectible.  The result is the  NoMU Recipe Box – a modern interpretation of the Rollodex-type card index that our mothers had in their kitchen cupboards. Your box comes packed with 48 recipe cards and dividers (starters, mains, desserts, snacks etc.), and top-up extra recipes will be sold according to the existing divider sections and refreshed every three months (for about ZAR35).  So every 3 months you can get all new recipes, collect them, or even swap them with friends.  Clever, clever NoMU! At the back of every top up pack will be a colour-coded mystery card in four different colours,  packed in randomly so you never know which card you might get with each top up pack purchase. Collect all four colour and send them in to NoMU to stand to win a huge prize (the April prize is a SMEG cooker, and the June prize is rumoured to be bigger!).  NoMU have kindly agreed to donate one recipe box as a prize to my readers, and they are willing to ship anywhere in the world.

 

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED.  THE WINNER WAS DAWN WALLENKAMP – CONGRATULATIONS, DAWN!

 

(Tips on how to enter with Rafflecopter as well as the full terms and conditions can be found below the recipe at the bottom of this page.  Please also read the full terms and conditions at the bottom of this post before entering!).   Good luck!

Other bloggers cooking with cod:

  • Kavey Eats cooked Skrei three ways
  • Michelle cooked honey-glazed cod with seasonal vegetables
  • Margot cooked cod roe burgers
  • Jan cooked Skrei with salsa verde
  • Andrew cooked baked cod with parsley sauce

 

CajunFishDiptych © J Horak-Druiff 2013

 

CajunCodFinal © J Horak-Druiff 2013

 

 

4.6 from 7 reviews
Cajun blackened cod with creamy avocado dressing - and a NoMU giveaway
 
Print
Prep time
10 mins
Cook time
10 mins
Total time
20 mins
 
This super simple recipe shows off a great piece of fish, while the spicy bite of the Cajun spice is perfectly balanced by the cool avocado dressing.
Author: Jeanne Horak-Druiff
Recipe type: Entree
Cuisine: Cajun
Serves: 2
Ingredients
  • 2 line-caught cod loin portions (or substitute hake loin)
  • olive oil
  • Cajun spice rub (I used NoMU)
  • FOR THE AVOCADO DRESSING
  • 1 ripe avocado
  • 4 Tbsp Greek yoghurt
  • 50ml buttermilk
  • 1 Tbsp good mayonnaise
  • about half a small bunch of cilantro, stems removed
  • 12 large mint leaves, stems removed
  • salt to taste
Instructions
  1. Prepare the dressing first. Halve and stone the avocado and scoop spoonfuls of the flesh into a blender. Add all the other ingredients except the salt and pulse until the herbs are all chopped and all ingredients are mixed into a creamy consistency. Add a little more buttermilk if you want a runnier texture. Add salt to taste, mix thoroughly and set aside.
  2. Rinse the fish off and pat dry. Brush the skin side with a little olive oil and then coat generously with Cajun spice rub, pressing it on with your fingers. Heat a small amount of olive oil in a non-stick pan and when it is hot enough to sizzle, add the fish, skin side down. While the skin side is cooking, brush the top with oil and cover with Cajun spice rub.
  3. Cook on the skin side for 3-4 minutes (there will be smoke - don't be alarmed! This is from the spices blackening), then using tongs, carefully turn the fish over and cook on the other side for a further 3-4 minutes (depends how thick your fish is and mine was pretty thick).
  4. Once cooked, serve immediately, skin side up, with a dollop of the avocado dressing. I served this with a crunchy mixed cabbage slaw, dressed with the same avocado mixture.
Wordpress Recipe Plugin by EasyRecipe
3.2.1230

 

NOMU RECIPE BOX GIVEAWAY RULES

1. This giveaway is open to readers all over the world aged 18 years or older.
2. There will be a single prize in the form of a box of 48 NoMU recipe cards.
3. The prize may not be exchanged for cash.
4. Entry will take place via Rafflecopter. Once you have completed your first entry and left me a comment confirming this in the comments section of this post, you will also have the option of submitting further entries via Twitter and Facebook, increasing your chances of winning.
6. All entries will be verified – if you have not commented or followed as required, I will check and you WILL be disqualified.
7. The deadline for entries is midnight UK time on Wednesday 1 May 2013.
8. The winner will be drawn at random from all verified entries, using randomising software.
9. The winner will be announced on my blog and notified by e-mail within 48 hours of the end of the giveaway. If the winner has not replied after one week from receiving the organiser’s e-mail notifying them of their win, a new winner will be randomly drawn.
10. I am running this giveaway in good faith on behalf of NoMU but am not responsible in any way for the delivery of the prize, or from any loss or damages relating to the prize. Once I have announced the winner, any issue relating to the prize is a matter entirely between the winner and NoMU. I will not be responsible for any loss, damages or inconvenience related to the winner not receiving the prize, or to injuries or damages sustained in any way by either the winner or NoMU in connection with the prize.

Here are some more tips that you might find useful:

  • Click here for a tutorial how to enter giveaways with Rafflecopter.
  • If your Rafflecopter entry form is not showing, try refreshing the page.
  • You MUST complete the form, otherwise your entries will not be counted.
  • Make sure the mandatory entry (leaving a blog comment) is completed first, and then go back to add additional entries.
  • If you’re viewing this post by email, you will need to click through to the post on my blog to enter.

DISCLOSURE: NoMU is kindly donating the prize for this giveaway and I received free samples of Skrei for review purposes from the Norwegian Seafood Council, but I received no further remuneration for writing this post and all opinions are my own. 

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  1. Sarah, Maison Cupcake says

    April 17, 2013 at 4:12 pm

    I love cod so this is good news! I will be looking out for Norwegian cod from now on 🙂

    Reply
  2. Nicola Meyer says

    April 17, 2013 at 4:23 pm

    Cod looks so delicious, a wonderful recipe.

    Reply
  3. Grant82 says

    April 17, 2013 at 6:28 pm

    Love Cod!

    Reply
  4. Jessica Righart says

    April 17, 2013 at 7:16 pm

    That looks yummy and I don’t even eat fish!

    xXx
    ohsogawjess.blogspot

    Reply
  5. Kit says

    April 17, 2013 at 7:52 pm

    Looks fantastic, both the cod and the Nomu prize!
    I’ve had a love/hate relationship with cod, ever since school dinners almost put me off the entire fish genus for life, but the way you describe it convinces me it’s a whole other creature than the sad boiled lumps of dry white flakes inflicted on us!
    I’ve entered the giveaway – I hope in all the right order.

    Reply
  6. Sue says

    April 18, 2013 at 7:35 am

    Love the recipe! I love the fact that its so simple- yet the flavours look beautifully saturated 🙂

    Reply
  7. arkwife says

    April 18, 2013 at 7:58 am

    I don’t actually think I’ve ever eaten cod, to be honest. Up in Joburg all the fish and chips places sell hake instead. That said, I’ve always been a big lover of fish. Pity I can’t cook any sort of fish without burning it. (Well, except for fish fingers…)

    Hopefully, if I win the NoMu box, I’ll find a recipe where I can cook fish without turning it into cardboard 🙂

    Reply
  8. Tandy says

    April 18, 2013 at 10:10 am

    my favourite way to eat cod is to make a gin and tonic batter – really delicious 🙂 Thanks for the informative post Jeanne!

    Reply
  9. Toni Stohen says

    April 19, 2013 at 9:49 am

    I’ve never tried Cod before but this looks really good so am going to give this a go.. thanks for the fresh ideas 🙂

    Reply
  10. Cathy Badenhorst says

    April 19, 2013 at 10:04 am

    Absolutely love Cod fish and have it either baked, pan fried with lots of herbs and lemon juice,in a hearty casserole with chorizo or my family favourite of Bolinhos de Bacalhau (fish cakes).

    Reply
  11. Shilpa says

    April 19, 2013 at 10:14 am

    Love this…. looks super easy to make and absolutely delish!!!! I usually rub my own spice mix on the cod. Thanks!!

    Reply
  12. Cathy Badenhorst says

    April 19, 2013 at 10:15 am

    Love eating Cod and enjoy it panfried with herbs and lemon juice, baked esp in a casserole with chorizo or the family favourite of cod fish cakes

    Reply
  13. Cathy Badenhorst says

    April 19, 2013 at 10:21 am

    will definitely try the Cajun rub recipe 🙂

    Reply
  14. bedsitbonnevivante says

    April 19, 2013 at 10:48 am

    Frankly you cannot beat battered cod on the harbour at Whitby but obviously its not as beautiful and refined as this lovely dish 😀

    Reply
  15. Firefly - Jonker says

    April 19, 2013 at 1:00 pm

    I’m not a big avo fan but would love to try the fish

    Reply
  16. Rosa says

    April 19, 2013 at 5:29 pm

    I totally understand your frustration. Nowadays when you find a product or a store you like you never know how much longer you are going to be able to enjoy them…

    A wonderful fish dish and great spices!

    Cheers,

    Rosa

    Reply
  17. Krista says

    April 20, 2013 at 2:00 am

    Ohhh, this looks SO good, Jeanne. I love fish that is blackened beautifully. 🙂

    Reply
  18. cirsten van den heuvel says

    April 20, 2013 at 8:16 am

    Love it. I love cod also chargrilled on a skillet with butter, pepper and lime.

    Reply
  19. rehana seedat says

    April 20, 2013 at 6:30 pm

    Love Cod Fish. Wud certainly love to try out this delectable recipe

    Reply
  20. rehana seedat says

    April 20, 2013 at 7:40 pm

    I love Lemon Garlic Cod and Lemon Baked Cod. YUMMYLICIOUS

    Reply
  21. Andrea | Clever Bird Banter says

    April 22, 2013 at 7:01 am

    Lovely recipe! Also enjoy good old fashioned beer battered cod served with homemade chunky chips, mmmmm!

    Reply
  22. Verushka Ramasami says

    April 22, 2013 at 9:31 am

    yummmy battered cod

    Reply
  23. Jamie says

    April 22, 2013 at 5:16 pm

    Ooooh this fish looks soooo good. That Cajun rub looks amazing and I’ll bet it tastes wild on the cod (which we love here in France!) And the avocado dressing looks divine. Can I make this at home? I want to try this!

    Reply
  24. Amy Frankie Taylor says

    April 23, 2013 at 11:22 am

    Trying to restrain myself from licking the screen..

    Reply
  25. Carla P says

    April 23, 2013 at 1:05 pm

    Nomu Recipe boxes are such an awesome addition to any kitchen! What a fab prize! And that cod looks amazing xxxx

    Reply
  26. Carla P says

    April 23, 2013 at 1:08 pm

    I can honestly say I have never tried cod so this recipe will have to be my new favorite way to eat it!

    Reply
  27. Dawn W says

    April 24, 2013 at 2:52 pm

    I love Cod braaied

    Reply
  28. Tiffany says

    April 26, 2013 at 1:46 pm

    Sound really good!! I love cod in fish tacos 🙂

    Reply
  29. Sarah says

    April 26, 2013 at 2:15 pm

    I love fish, but always been a bit nervous about cooking it for some reason. Think this recipe might entice me to take a risk in that department 🙂

    Reply
  30. Victoire says

    April 30, 2013 at 9:02 pm

    I can’t remember whether I’ve eaten cod before. I love most fish pan fried with a crispy skin (what you’ve done in this recipe looks divine) or the old fashioned battered fish.

    Reply
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Jeanne Horak is a freelance food and travel writer; recipe developer and photographer. South African by birth and Londoner by choice, Jeanne has been writing about food and travel on Cooksister since 2004. She is a popular speaker on food photography and writing has also contributed articles, recipes and photos to a number of online and print publications. Jeanne has also worked with a number of destination marketers to promote their city or region. Please get in touch to work with her Read More…

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