Schlemmerfilet – Herb-crusted cod with creamed Savoy cabbage

If you’re looking for an easy dinner with a refined twist and nods to Germany’s culinary past, this herb-crusted cod with creamed Savoy cabbage recipe is sure to please. Germany-based gourmand, Jelena Lozo, designed this recipe to be quick to make and packed with flavour. It even combines the main dish and creamy sides all in one pan. Frozen food maker Iglo introduced the “Schlemmerfilet a la Bordelaise” (“gourmet filet a la Bordelaise”) to Germany in the late 60’s as one of the first ready-made frozen foods. More than fifty years later, it’s still popular. 

Despite the “gourmet” label, there’s really nothing fancy about this dish. The original frozen meal came in an aluminum tray, covered in a simple herb-breadcrumb mixture. The “a la Bordelaise” label didn’t actually have anything to do with the original red wine sauce from Bordeaux–it was just short-hand meant to invoke the elegance of French cuisine.

Despite its humble origins, the dish, as a concept, gets an elevated spin here and cooks in no time in an Ooni oven. The blanket of herb butter and panko bread crumbs brings loads of flavor and crispiness to the fish. The bread crumbs can also serve as a sort of organic thermometer as you watch it cook. Tender, flaky and light, cod paired with slightly crunchy Savoy cabbage makes for an irresistible dish any day of the week. 



Schlemmerfilet – Herb-crusted cod with creamed Savoy cabbage

Note

If available, Jelena suggests using premium winter cod caught with longlines or manually between February and April for extra lean and meaty filets. If you can’t get your hands on Skrei or cod, use pollock or haddock instead.

For the herb butter

1. In a medium bowl, mix all of the ingredients together using a fork or your wet hand (to prevent the butter from sticking).

Transfer to the fridge for 10 minutes.

2. Remove butter mixture from the fridge.

Use two sheets of baking paper and a rolling pin to roll the butter into a solid disk the size of your fish filet. Place in the fridge until ready for use.

For the panko bread crumb mix

1. In a bowl, mix the panko bread crumbs with the Parmigiano Reggiano and set aside until needed.

For the creamy Savoy cabbage

1. Cut the Savoy cabbage into ½ inch (1 centimetre) thick slices; on the stovetop, heat the vegetable oil in your cast-iron skillet and sauté the onions over medium heat until translucent.

 

2. Add the Savoy cabbage to the skillet and sauté for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring occasionally.

3. Add the white wine to the pan, stir and let evaporate, about 3 minutes.

Add vegetable stock and double cream.

4. Season with salt, pepper, nutmeg and lime juice.

Set aside.

Ooni Nils Hofmann Schlemmerfilet mit Skrei 6

For the cod

1. Fire up your Ooni.

Aim for 220° C to 240° C (428° F to 464° F) on the baking stone inside. Use the infrared thermometer to quickly and accurately check the temperature of the middle of the stone.

2. Rinse the fish filet with cold water and dab dry using a kitchen towel, then lace on top of the Savoy cabbage.

Take the herb butter out of the fridge and cover the cod filets with it.

Ooni Nils Hofmann Schlemmerfilet mit Skrei 8

3. Place the cast-iron pan inside your oven and bake for 8 minutes, until the butter has melted and the fish looks mostly cooked.

Remove from the oven with your gloves and top evenly with the panko breadcrumb mix. 

4. Place the pan back into your oven and bake for a further 7 to 8 minutes, turning once for an even bake.

Tip: Be sure to watch the filets while they cook, extinguishing the flames if necessary, as you don’t want the crust to burn.



5. Carefully remove the pan with your gloves and let the filets rest for 5 minutes.

Sprinkle with chopped basil and parsley, serve and enjoy!