Lidia Flounder Francese Recipes

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.

FLOUNDER FILLETS FRENCH STYLE

Steps:

• Place the fillets on a flat surface and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
• Break the egg into a shallow wide dish and add salt, pepper and water. Beat well to blend.
• Spoon the flour onto a flat dish.
• Dip the fillets in the flour. Coat well on all sides, but shake off excess flour.
• Dip the fillets in the egg mixture to coat well on all sides. Drain off excess egg mixture.
• Heat enough oil in a skillet to coat the bottom lightly. Add a few pieces of fish at one time in a single layer without crowding. Let cook about 1 1/2 minutes or until golden brown on one side. Turn the pieces carefully and cook on the second side about one minute or until golden brown. Carefully transfer the pieces to a warm serving platter.
• Continue cooking the fish a few pieces at a time, adding more oil as necessary.
• Wipe the skillet and add the butter. Cook until the butter is melted and starts to brown. Add the lemon juice. Pour the butter over the fish. Sprinkle with parsley and serve.

FLOUNDER FRANCAISE OR CHICKEN FRANCAISE

Steps:

• In a large skillet, heat the oil and 1 tablespoons of butter over medium heat.
• Place the flour and all the seasonings in a plastic bag and shake to blend.
• Place the beaten eggs in a shallow dish.
• When the skillet is good and hot, put the flounder fillets in the bag one at a time and then dip in the egg. Coat them completely with the egg and place in skillet. The egg should sizzle immediately. If it doesn't, the oil isn't hot enough.
• Save 1 tablespoon of the flour mixture for the sauce.
• Fry over medium heat until brown on both sides, about 3 to 4 minutes per side. Add extra butter if you need to.
• Remove from skillet, keep warm.
• Discard any oil left in skillet and add the butter and the 1 tbsp of seasoned flour reserved from the flounder. Whisk until smooth. Add the rest of the sauce ingredients, stirring constantly until well blended. Bring to boil and cook 5 minutes, stirring frequently. If the sauce thickens too much, add more water- just 1 tsp at a time until you achieve the desired consistency.
• To serve place flounder over a bed of buttered rice (or whatever you're using) and pour a little sauce over each fillet. Garnish with lemon slices and parsley.