COD WITH CHICKPEAS AND SHERRY

Cod with Chickpeas and Sherry image

Yield makes 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 7

3 tablespoons olive oil
2 cod fillets, each about 1 inch thick (about 1 1/2 pounds total)
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
4 cups cooked chickpeas, with their liquid (see page 36)
3/4 cup sherry, preferably amontillado
2 tablespoons minced garlic
Chopped fresh parsley for garnish (optional)

Steps:

Preheat the oven to 300°F. Put 1 tablespoon of the oil in a nonstick skillet large enough to hold the cod in one layer (cook in batches if necessary, but undercook the first batch by about a minute, as it will remain in the oven longer); turn the heat to medium-high. When the oil is hot, add the fish, shiny side (where the skin was) up. Cook, undisturbed, for about 5 minutes, or until the cooked side is evenly browned. Turn the fish onto an ovenproof plate, browned side up, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and put it in the oven.
Immediately add the chickpeas (with about 1 cup of their cooking liquid) to the skillet and cook, stirring, for about a minute. Add all but 2 tablespoons of the sherry and raise the heat to high. Cook, shaking the pan now and then, until the liquid is all but evaporated and the chickpeas are beginning to brown. Stir in the garlic along with some salt and pepper and cook for 1 minute, stirring occasionally; stir in the remaining olive oil and sherry.
By this time the fish will be done. (If it is not, hold the chickpeas over low heat until it is.) Serve it on top of the chickpeas, garnished with the parsley if you like.