Pistachio Crusted Cod

7/10/2026

There are few things in life more relaxing than spending a week at your parents' house on the coast of Lake Erie. Unless, of course, your parents are anything like mine.😅 What begins as a peaceful lakeside retreat quickly turns into a seven-day marathon of cooking sessions, speed walking competitions, ski lessons and kayak races.🤣

Our afternoons at the lake are busy, adventure filled and amazing but mornings at the lake bring a special sense of calm and serenity. Feeling the cool breeze while sipping hot tea on the porch and hearing the seagulls and the birds singing in the background will always be my happy place.☕️🦆💦 The morning stillness is amazing I and love it but it lasts approximately 10 minutes before I launch myself into full blown lake adventure mode.🏊🏻‍♀️ ⛵️🛶🚴🏼‍♂️ 😂

Of course, being on Lake Erie means eating fish is practically mandatory. You can only stare at a giant body of water for so long before feeling obligated to eat something that once lived in it. There are no cod in Lake Erie but for my fellow Great Lake fishermen, feel free to substitute the cod for a bass, walleye or a lake trout. This recipe is elegant enough to impress everyone at the dinner table but simple enough that nobody has to spend all afternoon cooking instead of watching boats drift by or skip the family croquet tournament.

The pistachios create a crunchy, nutty crust that makes ordinary cod feel like it got promoted. The fish stays tender and flaky, while the topping adds just enough sophistication to make people think you have your life together. I hope that you will enjoy this delicious summer meal as much as I enjoyed it.

Pistachio Crusted Cod
1/2 cup chopped pistachios
1/4 cup panko
2 Tablespoons grated Parmesan
2 Tablespoons butter, melted
2 cod filets
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
3 Tablespoons olive oil
2 Tablespoons dijon mustard