Flounder Fillets French Style Recipes

EASY SOLE MEUNIERE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 200 degrees F. Have 2 heat-proof dinner plates ready
• Combine the flour, 2 teaspoons salt, and 1 teaspoon pepper in a large shallow plate. Pat the sole fillets dry with paper towels and sprinkle one side with salt.
• Heat 3 tablespoons of butter in a large (12-inch) saute pan over medium heat until it starts to brown. Dredge 2 sole fillets in the seasoned flour on both sides and place them in the hot butter. Lower the heat to medium-low and cook for 2 minutes. Turn carefully with a metal spatula and cook for 2 minutes on the other side. While the second side cooks, add 1/2 teaspoon of lemon zest and 3 tablespoons of lemon juice to the pan. Carefully put the fish filets on the ovenproof plates and pour the sauce over them. Keep the cooked fillets warm in the oven while you repeat the process with the remaining 2 fillets. When they're done, add the cooked fillets to the plates in the oven. Sprinkle with the parsley, salt, and pepper and serve immediately.

FISH IN BUTTER SAUCE (FISH MEUNIèRE)

Steps:

• Pat fillets dry. Dust with flour, and shake off any excess. Sprinkle them on both sides with salt and pepper.
• Prepare a heavy pan with the olive oil and 1 TB butter. Heat on medium-high until butter is melted but not browned, then turn the heat down to medium.
• Place the fillets in the pan and cook 2-4 minutes. Don't touch the fillets until they're ready to flip.Note: Thin fillets like flounder will need to cook approx. 2 minutes per side, Dover sole 2-3 min per side, cod + halibut 4 min per side.
• Use a thin metal spatula to test the fish. If you can slide the spatula under the fish without the fish sticking to the pan, it's ready to flip. If the fillets won't release- give them another 30 seconds. They'll release when they've finished cooking.
• Cook fish another 2-4 minutes until done.(See note above for cook time.)
• Divide the 1 TB butter over both fillets. Transfer the fish to plates, leaving the excess butter in the pan. Cover fish to keep warm, or set fish in a 200ºF oven.
• Reduce heat to medium. Add the wine to the pan, and allow it to reduce for about a minute. Add the remaining butter and lemon juice and stir with a wooden spoon. Add half the herbs and stir again.
• Optionally, cut remaining lemon in half. Turn heat to high, and set lemon cut-side down on the hot pan. Char 2-3 minutes until the cut side is charred.
• Serve fish hot with pan sauce, remaining herbs, and optional capers and lemons.

FLOUNDER FRANCESE WITH TOASTED ALMONDS, LEMON AND CAPERS

Steps:

• Toast almonds over moderate heat and reserve.
• Preheat a large nonstick skillet over medium to medium high heat. Season the fish with salt and pepper. Beat eggs with cream. Add 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil to the skillet, 2 turns of the pan then add 2 tablespoons butter, cut into small pieces. Dip the fish into the eggs and cook on both sides until just golden, 5 to 6 minutes total. Transfer fish to a plate and cover with loose a foil tent to retain heat.
• Add wine to the pan and reduce by half, 1 minute, then add 1 tablespoon butter and a handful of parsley to the pan. Stir in the lemon juice and zest and the capers. Turn off heat. Pour sauce over fish and top with sliced almonds.
• Return skillet to heat. Add remaining 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, 2 more turns of the pan. Add chopped garlic and let it speak by coming to a sizzle. Wilt in spinach, turning to coat in extra-virgin olive oil and season with salt, pepper and nutmeg. Serve spinach alongside flounder.

EASY, EXCELLENT BAKED FLOUNDER

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and coat with cooking spray.
• Rinse flounder fillets, pat dry, and place on the baking sheet. Season with salt and pepper. Whisk butter and wine together in a bowl; pour over flounder. Sprinkle each fillet with bread crumbs and then paprika.
• Bake in the preheated oven until flounder flakes easily with a fork, 25 to 30 minutes.

FLOUNDER FRANCAISE

Steps:

• Combine all ingredients and mix well.
• In saucepan combine all ingredients. Bring to a boil and reduce by 1/2.
• Preheat Oven: 350 degrees. Dip fillets in batter and cook in a nonstick pan with a small amount of cooking spray. Cook on both sides until fillets are golden brown. Place fillets on oven pan and bake for 5 to 6 minutes. Saute shrimp with a small amount of butter, lemon juice and white wine. Place on top of fillets and serve topped with sweet lemon sauce.

PAN-FRIED FLOUNDER

Steps:

• Wash fillets in cold water and pat dry. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Dredge fillets in flour. Place oil and 2 tablespoons butter in flat, heavy-bottomed skillet and heat on medium-high until butter melts. Keeping heat at medium-high, cook fish on 1 side about 3 minutes (more or less, depending on size of fillets), until deep brown and crispy. Turn fish and cook on second side, about 3 minutes. Turn fish only once.
• Remove fish to serving platter. Turn off heat. Into hot skillet, whisk in remaining 1 tablespoon butter. Add lemon juice. Pour in capers, liquid and all. Whisk. Pour thin sauce over fish fillets. serve at once.

TENDER FLOUNDER FILLETS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°. Place fillets in a greased 11x7-in. baking dish. Combine remaining ingredients; pour over fish. , Bake, uncovered, 20-25 minutes or until fish flakes easily with a fork. Remove to a serving plate with a slotted spatula. Serve immediately.

FLOUNDER WITH BROWN BUTTER, LEMON AND TARRAGON

Steps:

• Put flour in a low bowl or pie plate and stir in a generous amount of salt and pepper and a pinch of cayenne.
• Place a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add olive oil and tilt pan to coat bottom.
• Season the fillets lightly with salt and pepper. Dip each fillet quickly into flour mixture, shaking off excess flour.
• Lay fillets in skillet in one layer. Cook for about 2 minutes per side, until golden. Transfer cooked fish to a warm platter.
• Leave the heat at medium-high and add cold butter. Let butter sizzle until foamy and brown, but do not let it burn. Add lemon juice, parsley and chopped tarragon and swirl to incorporate.
• Spoon butter sauce over fish. Garnish with a few tarragon leaves and serve immediately with lemon wedges.