Baked Lemon Sole With Lemon Caper Paste Recipes

OVEN-POACHED PACIFIC SOLE WITH LEMON CAPER SAUCE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Oil or butter one or two baking dishes large enough to accommodate the fish fillets in one layer. Lay the fish in the dish(es) and season with salt and pepper.
• Heat the olive oil over medium heat in a small or medium skillet and add the shallot. Cook, stirring, until tender and translucent, about 3 minutes. Add the wine to the pan, bring to a boil, and pour the wine and shallots over the fish. Return the skillet to the stove (make sure the heat is off) for later use. Cover the baking dish with foil and place in the oven. Bake 8 to 10 minutes, or 5 minutes for each 1/2 inch of thickness, until the fish is opaque and pulls apart easily with a fork.
• While the fish is in the oven, whisk together the garlic, capers, lemon juice and olive oil. You can also mash the garlic in a mortar and pestle and work in the capers, lemon juice and olive oil, though I prefer the capers chopped, even some intact, and not puréed.
• When the fish is done remove it from the oven and carefully transfer to a platter or plates. Cover and keep warm. Pour the liquid in the baking dish into the skillet and turn the heat on high. Reduce, stirring often, to about 1/4 cup - it should be thick - and stir in the garlic and caper mixture and the parsley. Whisk together, taste and adjust seasoning, pour over the fish and serve.

BAKED LEMON SOLE WITH LEMON & CAPER PASTE

Steps:

• First, make the caper paste. Blend the ingredients in a blender or small food processor for 2 mins until you have a smooth-ish purée (if using a food processor, you might need to scrape down the sides once or twice with a spatula). Transfer to a small bowl, cover with cling film and place in the fridge until needed. Can be made 2 days ahead and chilled.
• Heat oven to 220C/200C fan/gas 7. Scatter the lemon zest, lemon thyme and shallots onto a baking tray or ovenproof dish. Sprinkle the fish lightly with salt and put it on top of the shallots, skin-side up. Place pieces of butter on each fish and pour in 200ml water - this will steam the fish and keep it juicy.
• Put the fish and the prepared tray of potatoes (see recipe in Goes well with) in the oven at the same time and bake both for 10 mins, basting the fish halfway through. While the fish cooks, wilt the greens (see recipe in Goes well with) and take the caper paste out of the fridge to come to room temperature.
• Take the fish out of the oven and baste it one last time, then use a cook's blowtorch to char the skin, if you like. Transfer the fish to a serving plate with some of the shallots and lemon zest. Spoon a little of the caper paste over the fish and serve immediately with the new potatoes and wilted spring greens.

SOLE WITH LEMON-CAPER SAUCE

Steps:

• Using a paper towel, dry the sole fillets very well. Season the fish evenly with 1 teaspoon salt. Heat a medium skillet over high heat. Add 1 tablespoon olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter to the pan. When the butter is fully melted and the bubbles have subsided, dredge both sides of 2 fillets in the flour. Shake off the excess flour and add the fish to the skillet. Reduce the heat to medium high. Cook the fillets until beginning to brown around the edges on the first side, 2 to 3 minutes. Using a fish spatula, flip the fish gently and cook for another 30 seconds. Remove the fillets to a plate and continue with the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 tablespoon butter and fish.
• When all 4 fillets are cooked and out of the skillet, add the capers and garlic and cook over medium heat, stirring, until fragrant, about 15 seconds. Add the chicken stock and lemon juice and stir, scraping up the bits from the bottom. Season with the remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt. Simmer for about 2 minutes to reduce the liquid slightly. Finish the sauce by stirring in the remaining 2 tablespoons butter, chili paste and oregano. Spoon the sauce over the fish, sprinkle with the parsley and serve.

SOLE WITH LEMON CAPER SAUCE

Steps:

• Using paper towels, pat the sole fillets very dry. Season the fish with the salt. Heat a medium skillet over high heat. Add 1 tablespoon of the olive oil and 1 tablespoon of the butter to the pan. When the butter is melted and the bubbles have subsided, dredge 2 fillets on both sides with the flour. Shake off the excess and add the fish to the pan. Reduce the heat to medium high.
• Cook the fish for 2 to 3 minutes on the first side or until they start to brown around the edges. Using a wide spatula, flip the fillets gently and cook for another 30 seconds. Remove the fillets to a plate and cook the remaining fish, adding another tablespoon each of oil and butter to the pan. Keep the fish warm.
• Add the garlic and capers to the pan and stir over medium heat for about 15 seconds or until fragrant. Add the lemon juice and chicken stock and stir, scraping up the bits from the bottom of the pan. Simmer for about 2 minutes to reduce the liquid slightly. Finish the sauce by stirring in the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter, the parsley, and oregano. Spoon the sauce over the fish and serve