Poor Mans Lobster
Tender, sweet cod poached in sugar water that tastes remarkably like lobster. Five ingredients, 15 minutes, and a fraction of the cost. Serve with melted butter and lemon for the full experience.
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 337kcal
Equipment
- Dutch Oven
- Slotted spoon
Ingredients
For the Poached Cod
- 1 ½ pounds cod fillets cut into 2-3 inch uniform chunks
- 10 cups water
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons kosher salt reduce to 1 tablespoon if using table salt
- ½ lemon, juiced
For Serving
- melted butter for dipping
- lemon wedges
- Old Bay seasoning optional
Instructions
- Bring 10 cups of water to a rolling boil in a large Dutch oven or stockpot over high heat. Add the sugar, kosher salt, and lemon juice. Stir until the sugar and salt are fully dissolved.
- Cut the cod fillets into 2-3 inch uniform chunks. Pat them dry with a paper towel.
- Carefully lower the cod pieces into the boiling water. Let the water return to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to medium.
- Cook for 5-6 minutes until the cod pieces float to the surface and the flesh turns opaque white and flakes easily with a fork. Remove thinner pieces first if they finish sooner.
- Use a slotted spoon to transfer the cooked cod to a paper towel-lined plate. Pat dry gently to remove excess water. Serve immediately with melted butter, lemon wedges, and a light dusting of Old Bay seasoning if desired.
Notes
- Sugar is the secret. It mimics the natural sweetness of lobster meat. Do not skip it or you will just have boiled cod.
- Cut uniform chunks. Pieces that are 2-3 inches cook evenly. Pull thinner pieces out first if they finish sooner.
- Watch for floating. When the cod floats to the top and turns opaque, it is done. This can happen in as little as 3-4 minutes for thinner pieces. Do not overcook or the fish becomes rubbery.
- Fish substitutes. Halibut, haddock, monkfish, or pollock all work. Use any firm white fish that holds its shape when simmered.
- From frozen. You can add frozen fillets directly to the boiling water. Let the water return to a boil, then cook 6-8 minutes. Texture may be slightly less tender than fresh.
Nutrition
Calories: 337kcal | Carbohydrates: 25g | Protein: 30g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.5g | Cholesterol: 103mg | Sodium: 500mg | Potassium: 709mg | Fiber: 0.01g | Sugar: 25g | Vitamin A: 418IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 51mg | Iron: 1mg
