a hail-storm of a dinner: braised cod with chickpeas & corn


After writing about breakfast items like poached eggs and biscuits, I figured a hearty dinner recipe was more than required. I had a good one all lined up too because last week I had a little dinner party and made a pretty amazing eggplant dish…and I don’t even really like eggplant. But then last night rolled around and I ate one of the best meals I’ve had in a long while. The eggplant dish will come later, I promise.


Last night was a cold crisp night. Biking to my Monday night bowling league game I was a bit wary because there was frost on the ground and I diligently searched and stayed clear of any patches of black ice. My way home however, the clear skies turned cloudy and let loose a barrage of hail. After realizing that the hail actually helped improve my traction by making the streets extra crunchy (and pretty), I took off for home. The only downside was going down hills only because of all the stinging icy bits hitting me hard in the face. When I got home, getting dinner ready didn’t seem like something I really wanted to pull off…especially since it was almost 10pm. But our rumbling tummies made it clear that something had to be done.


A quick peek at Epicurious, a small bit of prep and tweaking to the original recipe, and dinner was in the oven. It was that quick. I even got together a simple green salad going that turned out to be the most perfect accompaniment for this meal. Letting the dressing mingle not only with the greens but with the rest of the ingredients on the plate took the entire meal over the edge into ‘oh my god’ territory. At first, I wasn’t sure how cod and cumin-spiced chickpeas would work together, but the meal was delicious. Next time I’d sprinkle a bit of finely diced red onion over top before popping it in the oven just because I love onions so much and a bit of added crunch would be a nice touch.

13 comments to “a hail-storm of a dinner: braised cod with chickpeas & corn”

  1. 1
    White On Rice Couple   January 29, 2008 at 12:26 pm

    This is protein power! And a delicious one at that. Chickpeas are so great and I never thought of serving them with fish. Great idea!

  2. 2
    Bijoux   January 29, 2008 at 5:46 pm

    This sound really yummy!! And it’s exactly the kind of food I have been known to make in the past…double protein sources. In fact, I often make a quick and easy salad from a can of salmon and a can of chick peas with an assortment of fresh veggies and some other condiments like olives, capers, roasted red pepper, pickles , etc…add a simple dressing of olive oil and balsamic and call it a meal. Good stuff!! Oh, and it’s cheapy cheap to make too!

    As for eggplant – I love it! When it comes to eggplant, the best eggplant dishes can be had at middle eastern restaurants. There’s a Persian restaurant here (The Pomegranate) that makes the most amazing puree of smokey eggplant dip. It is out of this world!! I’m drooling just thinking about it 😀

  3. 3
    hag   January 29, 2008 at 7:29 pm

    sounds great again! I love chickpeas and corn…and I am always trying to eat more fish…and can’t seem to find out ways to do it differently! Thanks for another winner recipe!

  4. 4
    Patricia Scarpin   January 30, 2008 at 6:28 am

    Fish and chickpeas together… I love this combination!

  5. 5
    Cookie baker Lynn   January 30, 2008 at 6:31 am

    Looks great! I love chickpeas and this pairing sounds like it’s worth trying. Kudos for safely negotiating the black ice.

  6. 6
    Cooper   January 30, 2008 at 12:07 pm

    This looks awesome…will give this one a try!!!

  7. 7
    kickpleat   January 30, 2008 at 6:34 pm

    white on rice, i never thought the two would work but chickpeas and fish turned into a lovely combo!

    bijoux, yes, salads like that make great lunches! yum.

    i’m always at a loss on what to do with fish too, hag! this worked out perfectly.

    thanks patricia, it was so delicious!

    cookie baker lynn, this combo totally works! and i’m happy too that i made it back safe and sound (booo black ice!)

    thanks cooper, it’s tasty!!

  8. 8
    Cooper   January 30, 2008 at 6:47 pm

    Update: I made this tonight and it Rocked!!! The salad dressing is stellar. I made two adjustments (and one mistake) to the cod but all turned out well.
    Adjustments: Used frozen mixed vegetables instead of just corn (cuz that’s what we had). Sauteed the garlic in the oil for just a minute before adding the chickpeas water and spices. We are garlic freaks and that boosts the garlic flavor a notch.
    The mistake: I put the lemon juice in with the chickpeas to reduce instead of drizzling over the fish. Actually gave the veggies a nice bite but left the fish, by itself, a bit bland, but eaten with the veggies it’s awesome.
    This is definitely a repeater!!! Thanx for posting.

  9. 9
    dynagrrl   January 30, 2008 at 7:23 pm

    That looks amazing! I am very afraid of cooking fish, but may have to give this a try.

  10. 10
    kickpleat   February 3, 2008 at 10:30 am

    cooper, so glad you made it and loved it!!

    dynagrrl, get over that fish fear…it’s easy to make and really delicious!

  11. 11
    Helene   February 3, 2008 at 6:45 pm

    This looks great!

  12. 12
    kickpleat   February 7, 2008 at 12:15 pm

    thanks helene!

    jae young, glad you loved this too. i’ll bet peas would be an excellent addition!

  13. 13
    Jae Young   February 7, 2008 at 11:28 am

    The cod was super num. I had to use peas, cos no frozen corn, but really easy <3

    I have also been digging your orange ricotta pancakes like NOBODY’S business <3

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