1. Preheat the Oven

Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) if you plan to finish the fish in the oven after searing.

2. Prepare the Ling Cod

Rinse the ling cod fillets under cold water and pat them dry with paper towels.

Season both sides of the fillets with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper.

3. Pan Sear the Fish

Heat olive oil in an oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering but not smoking.

Carefully add the ling cod fillets to the skillet, skin-side down (if they have skin), and sear without moving them for about 3-4 minutes or until the bottom is golden and crispy.

Flip the fillets carefully and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes on the other side.

4. Add Lemon and Butter

Squeeze the juice of half a lemon over the fillets.

Add small dollops of butter around the fillets in the skillet.

5. Oven Finish (Optional)

If your skillet is oven-safe, transfer it directly to the preheated oven.

If not, carefully transfer the fillets to a pre-greased baking dish.

Bake in the oven for 5-7 minutes or until the fish is opaque and flakes easily with a fork.

6. Rest and Serve

Remove the skillet or baking dish from the oven and let the fish rest for a couple of minutes.

Serve the ling cod fillets on plates, garnished with fresh herbs if desired and with lemon wedges on the side for additional flavoring.

Enjoy your beautifully prepared ling cod with your choice of side dishes, such as roasted vegetables, quinoa salad, or a light pasta.