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What is the Misen Carbon Nonstick Skillet?

I’ve been on the hunt for a new everyday skillet for a while now and finally found one that I think is really special.

I love this skillet! It checks all the boxes for me:

• Nonstick without a coating.
• Retains heat well and can sear.
• Easily moves from stovetop to oven.
• Easy to clean with just soap and water.

I also like that it’s lighter than a cast iron skillet.

I wanted to show off the versatility of this skillet so I came up with this cod and orzo dish that requires a good sear on the cod but also cooks everything in one skillet!

How to sear cod on the stove

There are a few tricks to getting a good sear for fish on the stovetop. The most important step is to make sure the cod is as dry as possible so make sure to use a few paper towels to dry it well.

I also like to season it well on all sides. In theory you could use your favorite seasoning, but I used a simple mix of garam masala and salt which goes really well with the coconut flavors of the orzo.

Ideally you might have a filet for each serving, but I had three larger filets so that is what I used.

When you are ready to sear, heat your skillet over medium-high heat and add some oil. I used about a tablespoon but you might be able to get away with even less.

Then add the cod to the hot skillet and sear it hard for 4-5 minutes on the first side. You basically want to cook the fish 70% of the way on one side and then flip it for a quick cook on the second side (about a minute).

Once the cod is mostly cooked through, you can remove it from the skillet and start building the orzo. The cod will finish cooking when it simmers with the orzo later!

Cooking coconut orzo

Okay, let’s cook the orzo now in the same skillet! To build some flavor for the orzo, I recommend sauteeing some shallot and garlic in the skillet. If it’s dry, you can add a new splash of oil, but don’t wipe the skillet out.

Then add the orzo pasta along with the chicken stock and coconut milk. It will look like a lot of liquid but it will cook off quickly as the orzo cooks.

The orzo will need to cook for 8-10 minutes until it’s just tender. Then you can season it with red pepper flakes and stir in the spinach (optional, but a nice colorful boost).

How to finish this one skillet dinner

To finish this delicious skillet, add the cod back into the skillet and simmer for a few minutes. Taste the orzo and make sure it’s cooked through and it might need an extra pinch of salt or pepper.

What to serve with this cod and orzo dish

Honestly, you don’t need to serve this dish with anything else other than maybe a sprinkle of scallion or basil. It’s pretty much an all-in-one meal, but you could add a simple salad to the mix if you wanted. This roasted beet salad would go really nicely with the flavors.

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