Zombie Breath Lemon-Butter Cod Packets

Prep: 10 minutes | Cook: 15 to 20 minutes | Servings: 4

Cod is one of those weeknight ingredients that can go from promising to disappointing if you ignore it for five minutes too long.

Cooking it in foil packets keeps the preparation simple and lets the fish share its flavor with lemon, butter and vegetables. Zombie Breath contributes the garlic-onion character without requiring an elaborate sauce.

Ingredients

• 4 cod fillets, approximately 5 to 6 oz each, fully thawed
• 2 medium zucchini, thinly sliced
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tsp Zombie Breath, divided
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter, cut into four portions
• 1 lemon, thinly sliced
• 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
• 2 tbsp chopped parsley
• Black pepper, to taste
• 4 large sheets of heavy-duty aluminum foil

Directions

1. Preheat. Heat the oven to 400°F. Set a large baking sheet nearby.
2. Prepare the vegetables. Toss zucchini and tomatoes with olive oil and 1 tsp Zombie Breath.
3. Build the packets. Divide the vegetables among four foil sheets. Place one cod fillet over each portion.
4. Season the fish. Sprinkle the remaining 1 tsp Zombie Breath evenly over the four fillets. Add black pepper if desired.
5. Add the finishing ingredients. Put one portion of butter and two lemon slices onto each fillet.
6. Seal. Fold the foil into loose, well-sealed packets, leaving some room for steam to circulate.
7. Bake. Arrange on the baking sheet and bake for approximately 15 to 20 minutes, depending on fillet thickness. Carefully open one packet away from your face to release steam. Check the fish with a thermometer. It must reach 145°F.
8. Finish. Add fresh lemon juice and parsley just before serving.

How to serve

Spoon the fish and its cooking juices over rice, couscous or boiled potatoes.

For a faster dinner, use quick-cooking grains while the packets are in the oven.

Why Zombie Breath works

Cod has a mild flavor that benefits from garlic and onion without needing an aggressive seasoning treatment. Lemon provides brightness while butter carries the aromatics through the packet.

Grillslayer move: Slice the zucchini thinly so it finishes cooking at approximately the same time as the fish. Thick vegetable chunks may need longer than the cod can tolerate.