RECIPE OF THE WEEK: Spicy Oven-Fried Cod Fillets

When the weather begins to warm, home cooks start migrating from the heartier soups, stews, and casseroles popular in winter to something lighter. Seafood is an option families can turn to that is both high in protein and leaner than other dinnertime staples.

Cod is a popular saltwater fish with firm meat that is mild in flavor. It may hold up better than other white fish in different meals, like a fish fry. This recipe for "Spicy Oven-Fried Cod Fillets" (The Pampered Chef®) from The Pampered Chef® Test Kitchens is a flavorful dish that can mark a transition to lighter, springtime meals.

INGREDIENTS:

Sauce:

2 teaspoons thinly sliced green onion with top

1 small garlic clove, pressed

1/2 cup reduced-fat Thousand Island salad dressing

1/4 teaspoon chili powder

Dash cayenne pepper

Cod fillets:

1 egg, lightly beaten

1/2 cup dry Italian-style bread crumbs

1/4 teaspoon chili powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 1/2 pounds cod fish fillets

DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat the oven to 450 F. For the sauce, thinly slice the green onion and press the garlic. Add the onion, salad dressing, chili powder, and cayenne pepper; mix well. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to blend.

2. For cod fillets, lightly beat the egg in a small bowl. Combine bread crumbs, chili powder, and salt in a shallow dish. Dip the fillets into the egg and then into the bread crumb mixture, coating them evenly. Arrange the fillets on a pan; lightly spray with nonstick cooking spray.

3. Bake for 15 to 18 minutes or until the cod flakes easily with a fork. Remove from oven; serve cod with sauce.