Lemon Caper Cod Piccata With Angel Hair
Tender cod fillets pan-seared in a zesty lemon-caper sauce, served over quick-cooking angel hair pasta and wilted spinach. A bright, elegant, and protein-packed meal that comes together in under 30 minutes.
Prep
10 min
Cook
15 min
Total
25 min
Makes
2 servings
The feel-good payoff
Why this meal can feel especially good in perimenopause
Think practical wins: steadier energy, comfortable fullness and one less food decision. Your response is personal, so use the prompts below to notice what works for you.
Perimenopause symptoms and relief · Office on Women’s HealthComfortably satisfied
Fullness that has staying power
This meal is designed to feel substantial, so finishing it can feel like the meal is complete rather than the start of an evening of grazing.
Notice: fullness 2–3 hours later
Steadier energy
Feel fueled, not flattened
A complete meal with protein, carbohydrates and fats is designed to offer more staying power than a quick carb-only fix.
Notice: energy 1–3 hours later
Everyday strength
Support the basics consistently
A nourishing meal supports the protein, energy and overall nutrition that help you keep showing up for daily movement.
Notice: energy for movement
More staying power
Make the next few hours easier
This meal is built to be more sustaining than a snack-sized stopgap, with enough substance to carry you into the next part of the day.
Notice: energy + fullness later
Setup
Get set up
Choose your servings, gather what you need, then cook along below.
Prep
10 min
Cook
15 min
Total
25 min
How many are you cooking for?
The ingredient amounts update automatically.
Equipment
Large skillet
Time saver
Storage: Store leftover cod and pasta in separate airtight containers in the fridge for up to 2 days. Reheat the fish very gently over low heat to prevent it from becoming tough.
Do these three things first
- 1Prep tbsp capers (drained), clove garlic (minced)
- 2Set out all ingredients before cooking
- 3Measure the pantry ingredients before heating the pan
Ingredients
Gather as you go
Ingredients
From Your Pantry
Cook along
Instructions
0 of 6 steps complete
Next: Bring a medium pot of salted water…
- 01
Bring a medium pot of salted water…
Bring a medium pot of salted water to a boil. Add the angel hair pasta and cook according to package directions (usually 3 to 5 minutes). In the last minute of boiling, stir in the baby spinach until just wilted. Drain and set aside.
Look for: just wilted
Tap card to mark done - 02
Pat the cod fillets dry
Pat the cod fillets dry with a paper towel. Season both sides with salt, black pepper, and an optional light dusting of all-purpose flour.
Tap card to mark done - 03
Heat the olive oil in a large…
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the cod and sear for 3 to 4 minutes per side until lightly golden and cooked through. Transfer the fish to a plate and keep warm.
Look for: lightly golden and cooked through
Tap card to mark done - 04
Reduce the skillet heat to medium-low
Reduce the skillet heat to medium-low. Add the butter and minced garlic to the pan, stirring for 30 seconds until fragrant.
Look for: fragrant
Tap card to mark done - 05
Pour in the lemon juice
Pour in the lemon juice, lemon zest, capers, and a splash of water or vegetable broth. Simmer for 1 to 2 minutes, scraping up any browned bits from the pan, until the sauce reduces slightly.
Look for: the sauce reduces slightly
Tap card to mark done - 06
Toss the cooked pasta and spinach in…
Toss the cooked pasta and spinach in the skillet with half of the pan sauce. Divide the pasta between two plates, top with a cod fillet, and spoon the remaining caper sauce over the fish.
Ready when: everything is assembled and ready to enjoy
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