A classic from the coastal Canadian province of Newfoundland, this dish is the definition of comfort food. It features salt cod or fresh cod baked in a rich, creamy, cheese-heavy sauce, with a crispy, golden top.

Prep Time	Cook Time	Serves
15 minutes	30 minutes	4

Part A: Ingredients

• Fish: 1.5 lbs fresh Cod fillets (or salt cod, pre-soaked and flaked).
• Aromatics: 1 medium Onion, finely diced, 2 cloves Garlic, minced.
• Sauce (Béchamel Base): 3 Tbsp Unsalted butter, 3 Tbsp All-purpose flour, 2 cups Whole milk (warm).
• Cheese: 1 cup Sharp Cheddar cheese, grated (plus $1/2$ cup for topping).
• Seasoning: $1/2$ tsp Mustard powder, dash of Nutmeg, Salt, and White Pepper.
• Topping: 2 Tbsp Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish).

Part B: Instructions

Step 1: Prep the Fish

1. Preheat oven to $400^\circ \text{F}$ ($200^\circ \text{C}$).
2. Cut the fresh cod into large, bite-sized pieces. Season lightly with salt and pepper.
3. Arrange the cod pieces evenly in a medium-sized baking dish ($8 \times 8$ inch or similar). If using pre-soaked salt cod, you can skip this step and add it directly to the sauce.

Step 2: Make the Cheese Sauce

1. In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sauté until soft and translucent. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute.
2. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute to form a roux (a thick paste).
3. Slowly pour in the warm milk while whisking vigorously to prevent lumps. Cook until the sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon (about 5-7 minutes).
4. Remove the sauce from the heat. Stir in the $1/2$ cup of grated Cheddar cheese, mustard powder, nutmeg, salt, and white pepper. Stir until the cheese is fully melted and the sauce is smooth.

Step 3: Bake and Gratiné

1. Pour the cheese sauce evenly over the cod in the baking dish, ensuring all the fish is covered.
2. Sprinkle the remaining $1/2$ cup of grated Cheddar cheese over the top of the dish.
3. Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until the fish flakes easily with a fork and the top is bubbly and golden brown. If the top isn’t browned enough, switch to the broiler for the last 1-2 minutes (watch carefully!).

Step 4: Serve

• Let the dish rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley. This dish is hearty on its own but is great served with boiled or mashed potatoes and a simple green vegetable.