Baked Cod with Garlic & Herb Ritz Crumbs

1. Preheat Oven and Prepare Dish

Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F. Take a 9x9-inch ceramic baking dish and drizzle it with 2 tablespoons of good olive oil.

2. Season and Bake Cod

Place four center-cut boneless, skinless cod fillets in the prepared dish. Sprinkle them evenly with 1½ teaspoons of kosher salt and ½ teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper. Turn the fillets over to coat both sides. Bake the seasoned cod fillets in the oven for about 10 minutes.

3. Prepare Crumb Topping

Combine ½ cup of Ritz cracker crumbs, ⅓ cup of panko, 2 tablespoons of minced fresh parsley, 2 teaspoons of minced garlic, 1 teaspoon of grated lemon zest, 1 teaspoon of salt, and 3 tablespoons of melted unsalted butter. Mix these ingredients until well blended.

4. Add Wine and Lemon Juice

Remove the baking dish from the oven and pour ¼ cup of dry white wine and 2 tablespoons of freshly squeezed lemon juice around the partially cooked cod fillets.

5. Add Crumb Topping and Bake

Pat the crumb mixture evenly onto the top of each cod fillet. Return the dish to the oven and bake for an additional 12 minutes.

6. Finish and Serve

Sprinkle the baked cod with a pinch of salt, if desired, and serve with fresh lemon wedges.