Ingredients:
- 4 Cod Fillets (thick cut, skin on or off preferred): 175g (6 oz) each
- Sea Salt Flakes and Freshly Cracked Black Pepper: To taste
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil: 80 ml (1/3 cup)
- Fresh Lemon Juice: 60 ml (4 tablespoons), about 1 large lemon
- Garlic: 2 cloves, minced finely
- Fresh Parsley: 15 g (3 tablespoons), finely chopped
- Fresh Thyme Leaves: 5 ml (1 teaspoon)
- Dried Smoked Paprika: 2.5 ml (1/2 teaspoon)
- Lemon Wedges: 4 large wedges (for serving)
- Fresh Dill (or additional Parsley): A small handful, roughly chopped (for garnish)
Instructions:
- Prepare the Marinade: In a medium bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, parsley, thyme, and smoked paprika. Season generously with salt and pepper. Reserve 2 tablespoons of the marinade in a small cup for basting later.
- Prepare and Marinate the Cod: Gently pat the cod fillets completely dry using kitchen roll. Place the dried cod fillets into the large Ziplock bag or shallow dish. Pour the remaining marinade over the fish.
- Chill: Seal the bag (or cover the dish) and refrigerate for a minimum of 30 minutes, but no longer than 1 hour. This is essential for flavor infusion.
- Heat and Prepare the Grill: Preheat your grill to a medium-high temperature (about 200°C / 400°F). Clean the grates thoroughly with a wire brush. Once clean and hot, oil the grates heavily using tongs and an oil-soaked piece of kitchen paper to prevent sticking.
- Grill the Cod: Remove the cod from the marinade (discard the residual marinade). Place the fillets presentation-side down directly onto the hot, oiled grates, or into the oiled grill basket.
- Initial Cook: Grill for 4 to 5 minutes undisturbed. Do not move the fish until a visible crust forms.
- Finish Cooking: Carefully flip the fish using a thin spatula. Grill on the second side for another 3 to 5 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 63°C (145°F). During the last minute of cooking, brush the fish lightly with the reserved 2 tablespoons of fresh marinade.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the cod immediately from the grill and let it rest on a warm platter for 2 minutes. Garnish with the fresh dill or parsley and serve immediately with the reserved lemon wedges.