Flounder With Champagne Grapes Food

FILLET OF SOLE VERONIQUE SAUTEED WITH GRAPES, CHAMPAGNE AND CREAM

Steps:

• Preheat a nonstick skillet to medium high heat and coat bottom with clarified butter. Lightly dredge fish fillets in seasoned flour and place in pan. Saute quickly 2 to 3 minutes on each side and transfer to a warm dinner plate. Add grapes and deglaze pan with champagne, cook for 2 minutes and drizzle in cream to desired consistency, pour over fish. Serve with steamed red potatoes with chives and a fresh steamed green vegetable. Serve the balance of champagne with dinner.

CHAMPAGNE GRAPES

Steps:

• Cut grapes into small clusters of 2 to 4 grapes each. Pour Champagne into a plastic bowl with a tight-fitting lid. Add granulated sugar and zest; stir gently until sugar dissolves. Add grapes, cover and chill 8 hours. Pour off marinade. Dry grapes on a paper towel; sprinkle with superfine sugar and zest.

FLOUNDER WITH CHAMPAGNE GRAPES

Steps:

• Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 250°F.
• Rinse fish and pat dry. Season both sides of fillets with salt and pepper, then dredge in flour, shaking off excess.
• Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a 12-inch heavy skillet over moderately high heat until it begins to smoke, then sauté 2 fillets, turning over once, until golden and just cooked through, about 4 minutes total. Transfer with a slotted spatula to a platter and keep warm, uncovered, in oven. Add more oil if necessary, and sauté remaining 2 fillets in same manner, transferring to platter.
• Add shallot to skillet and cook over moderate heat, stirring, until softened, about 2 minutes. Add vermouth and simmer, scraping up any brown bits, 1 minute. Add grapes and cook over low heat, swirling skillet, until just heated through, 1 to 2 minutes.
• Remove skillet from heat and add butter, swirling until incorporated. Add lemon juice and season sauce with salt and pepper. Spoon sauce with grapes over fish and serve immediately.