I’ve always looked suspiciously at menus with seafood items called “Krab Sticks” and “Imitation Lobster” knowing how incredibly processed and artificial the “seafood” must be. But then I came across this simple recipe that is very natural, totally unprocessed and absolutely delicious. So I took a successful stab at turning cod into lobster. Now if I could turn water into wine I’ll be all set. Even box wine I’ll take.

Poor Man’s Lobster

2 lbs cod fillets
6 cups of water
1 cup of sugar
2 tablespoons of salt
1 cup of butter, melted
Paprika

Melt a cup of butter. That’s right. A whole cup of butter.

If you have a broiler in your galley oven light it now to let it warm up. This could most likely work fine in a very hot regular oven as well.

In your largest pot, boil 6 cups water. Dissolve the sugar and the salt in the boiling water. Take off the heat. Sink the cod filets in the water and let sit, completely submerged for 5 minutes. Remove from water and pat dry.

Place the cod filets in a non-stick foil lined shallow pan or jelly-roll pan. Pour the melted butter, reserving 1/4 cup, over the fish and gently roll the filets in the butter, careful not to break apart the filets. Sprinkle with paprika.

Place under your broiler and broil for 10 minutes.

This can be cut into individual pieces and served hot on fettuccini with some green vegetables and tomatoes or a salad  Or better yet, place the whole cod on a serving platter in the middle of the table with the rest of the drawn butter and give everyone a “lobster” fork. Dig in and solve all the world’s problems like you would at a New England lobster boil. Best paired with Poor Man’s Wine, Bota Box Chardonnay!

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Poor Man's Lobster

Magically turn your cod into lobster and drown it all in butter!

Ingredients

• 2 lbs Cod fillets
• 6 cups Water
• 1 cup Sugar
• 2 tbsp Salt
• 1 cup Butter
• 1 tbsp Paprika

Instructions

• Melt a cup of butter. Heat your oven to very hot, above 375º if possible. Or if you have a broiler, light that.
• In your largest pot, boil 6 cups water. Dissolve the sugar and the salt in the boiling water. Take off the heat. Sink the cod filets in the water and let sit, completely submerged for 5 minutes. Remove from water and pat dry.
• Place the cod filets in a non-stick foil lined shallow pan or jelly-roll pan. Pour the melted butter, reserving 1/4 cup, over the fish and gently roll the filets in the butter, careful not to break apart the filets. Sprinkle with paprika.
• Place under your broiler and broil for 10 minutes. Or bake in your hot oven for 15. Serve with drawn butter
  

Notes