Name: Turmeric Cod with Chickpea Traybake Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 45 min
Cuisine: British
Ingredients: 400g can chickpeas, drained and rinsed; 2 tsp sunflower oil; 2 garlic cloves, crushed; 2 shallots, finely chopped; 15g ginger, peeled and grated; 2 tbsp tomato purée; 200ml hot chicken stock (made with 1/2 stock cube); 1 tsp ground turmeric; 1/4 – 1/2 tsp chilli flakes; 2 x 125g cod fillets; 200g frozen spinach; 10g coriander, roughly chopped or whole leaves (to serve); Salt and freshly ground black pepper (to taste); Additional 1 tsp ground turmeric (for coating cod); Additional chilli flakes (for coating cod)

Ingredients

400g can chickpeas, drained and rinsed

2 tsp sunflower oil

2 garlic cloves, crushed

2 shallots, finely chopped

15g ginger, peeled and grated

2 tbsp tomato purée

200ml hot chicken stock, made up with ½ stock cube

1 tsp ground turmeric

¼ – ½ tsp chilli flakes

2 x 125g cod fillets

200g frozen spinach

10g coriander, roughly chopped, or a few whole leaves, to serve

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 200°C (180°C fan/gas mark 6). In a 20 x 30cm roasting tin, combine the chickpeas, sunflower oil, crushed garlic, chopped shallots, grated ginger, tomato purée, hot chicken stock, most of the turmeric, and most of the chilli flakes. Stir well and season generously with salt and pepper.

Step 2: Bake the chickpea mixture for 20-25 minutes until bubbling and the liquid has reduced.

Step 3: While the chickpeas cook, pat the cod fillets dry. Mix the remaining turmeric and chilli flakes with a large pinch of salt and freshly ground black pepper on a shallow plate, then press each cod fillet into the spice mixture to coat evenly.

Step 4: Remove the roasting tin from the oven. Nestle the coated cod fillets and frozen spinach into the chickpeas. Return the tin to the oven and cook for 10 minutes.

Step 5: Carefully stir the spinach into the chickpeas, then bake for another 5 minutes until the cod is cooked through and opaque.

Step 6: Serve the traybake straight from the tin, scattering the chopped coriander on top for a fresh finishing touch.

Tips & Variations

For a vegetarian version, replace cod with firm tofu or halloumi and use vegetable stock instead of chicken stock.

If you prefer a milder dish, reduce or omit the chilli flakes.

Try adding other vegetables like cherry tomatoes or bell peppers to the traybake for extra color and flavor.

Use fresh spinach instead of frozen—just add it at the same time as the cod to wilt.

FAQs

Can I use other types of fish instead of cod?

Yes, firm white fish like haddock, pollock, or hake work well as substitutes. Adjust cooking time as needed until the fish is opaque and flakes easily.