Sole Provencal 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.

STUFFED WHITING OR DOVER SOLE PROVENCAL

Steps:

• 1. Wash spinach carefully and remove stems (or defrost frozen spinach). Drain well. Place in a saucepan with 2 Tbsps. olive oil and cook, stirring constantly until spinach is limp. Drain spinach and finely chop.
• 2. Finely saute chopped onion, parsley, crumbled bay leaf and thyme in 4 Tbsps. olive oil until golden; addfinely chopped spinach and season with salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste. Mix well. Spread 2/3 of spinach mixture in the bottom of a gratin dish.
• 3. Place fish fillets open side up on a clean towel. Season generously and place a Tbsp of reserved spinach mixture on each fillet. Roll fish up tightly (starting at the broad end) and place them in rows on the bed of spinach. Sprinkle with breadcrumbs, then with olive oil and bake in moderate 375 F oven for 20 to 30 minutes or until fish flakes easily with a fork. Serve with lemon slices or wedges. ENJOY!

SOLE PROVENçALE

Steps:

• In 1-quart saucepan, heat mushrooms, wine, tomato paste, tomato, onion, garlic and half of the thyme to boiling; reduce heat to medium. Cook about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened.
• Meanwhile, sprinkle salt and remaining thyme over fish fillets; roll up fillets. In 8-inch nonstick skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Cook rolled fish, seam side down, in oil 4 to 5 minutes, turning as needed, until lightly browned on all sides.
• Top fish with tomato mixture; reduce heat to low. Cover; cook 5 minutes longer or until fish flakes easily with fork.

SOLE PROVENCAL

Steps:

• In a large skillet, saute onion and celery in oil, until tender. Add tomatoes, parsley, bay leaves, salt and pepper. Cover and simmer gently for 20 minutes. Add sole fillets and continue cooking for 10 minutes; or until fish flakes easily with a fork. Remove fish to a warm platter. If thicker sauce is desired, add a small amount of flour and cook until mixture is thickened and starts to boil.

JULIA CHILD'S PROVENçALE TOMATO SAUCE

Steps:

• In a large heavy pot, heat the oil over medium-low heat. Add the onions, sprinkle with salt and cook slowly for about 10 minutes, until tender but not browned. Sprinkle on the flour and cook slowly for 3 minutes, stirring occasionally; do not brown.
• Meanwhile, fit a food processor with the coarse grating blade. Working in batches to avoid overfilling the machine, push the tomatoes through the feed tube to make a coarse purée.
• Stir the tomatoes, sugar, garlic, herb bouquet, fennel, basil, saffron, coriander, orange peel and 1 teaspoon salt into the pot. Cover and cook slowly for 10 minutes, so the tomatoes will render more of their juice. Then uncover and simmer for about an hour, until thick. The sauce is done when it tastes thoroughly cooked and is thick enough to form a mass in the spoon. Remove herb bouquet and taste. Season with salt, pepper, sugar and tomato paste, and simmer two minutes more. The sauce may be used immediately, refrigerated or frozen for up to 6 months.

SOLE EN PAPILLOTE WITH TOMATOES AND OLIVES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 450°F. Fold four 15-inch-square pieces of parchment in half. Starting at fold of each piece, draw half a large heart shape. Cut along lines; open. Place 1 fish fillet next to crease on each piece of parchment. In a small skillet, warm 1 tbsp oil over medium heat. Sauté sliced garlic and pepper flakes until garlic turns golden, 1 minute. Remove skillet from heat; stir in tomatoes, capers and olives. Sprinkle fish with salt and pepper. Divide tomato mixture among fish. Top each fillet with 2 teaspoon wine, 1 teaspoon butter and 2 thyme sprigs. Fold other half of parchment over fish. Starting at top of each parchment half-heart, make small, tight, overlapping folds along outside edge to seal packet; twist tail ends tightly to seal completely. Place packets on a large rimmed baking sheet; roast 8 minutes. Broil or toast ciabatta until golden; rub with garlic clove halves and brush with remaining 4 teaspoon oil. Transfer packets to plates. Slit tops with a knife; gently open. Serve 1 slice ciabatta with each packet.

PROVENCAL SAUCE FOR DOVER SOLE

Steps:

• For fish: Preheat oven to 375°F and heat large oval sauté pan over medium high heat. Season the fish with salt and pepper; lightly dust flesch side with flour; coat pan with oil and add fish, flour side down. Cook until golden brown. Turn over and finish in oven for 8-10 minutes. Meanwhile make the sauce.
• For sauce: Heat sauté pan over medium heat and add oil, shallots and garlic and cook until golden (toasted).
• Add wine, tomato paste, and tomatoes or fruit depending, and cook down until tomatoes or fruit begin to break down.
• Add vegetable broth and season with salt and pepper. Finish with fresh herbs.