The Trick Behind Perfectly Seared Fish

Fri 12:30 PM•madeincookware

Chef Rick Lopez’s Grilled Cod with Achiote Marinade and Charred Scallion Vinaigrette

Most home cooks have had it happen: you follow a fish recipe to the letter and still end up with something that sticks, steams instead of sears, or just looks nothing like the photo.

The problem isn't the fish. It's the pan.

Chef Rick Lopez, Executive Chef of La Condesa in Austin, has been cooking fish like this his whole career. His Grilled Cod with Achiote Marinade is the kind of dish that reads simple but delivers a silky interior, charred exterior, a bright scallion vinaigrette that cuts right through the smoke.

The difference between restaurant-quality and good-enough comes down to direct, even contact with serious heat. You need a surface that gets hot fast, holds that heat without wavering, and lets you work across multiple pieces at once without crowding.

That's why Rick reaches for the Carbon Steel Griddle.

It spans two burners, or across your grill, for dual-zone cooking, locks in high heat the way cast iron does, and builds a naturally non-stick surface that only gets better over time. The same surface that turns out crispy-edged smashburgers on a Saturday handles delicate fish without a fight.

SHOP THE GRIDDLE →

Chef Rick Lopez is the Executive Chef of La Condesa, an Austin restaurant celebrating contemporary Mexican cuisine. His cooking highlights bold flavors, vibrant sauces, and time-honored techniques rooted in regional tradition and seasonal ingredients.

THE RECIPE -- “This fish is one of my favorites, but the real star of the dish is our charred scallion vinaigrette.” -- Chef Rick Lopez

Essential Tool: Carbon Steel Griddle. Delivers a great sear for golden brown exteriors. Precise, even heating to prevent overcooking. Room for fish to be spread out for maximum crispiness. Naturally nonstick for a clean release. SHOP CARBON STEEL

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Austin, TX 78745
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