Ina Garten Flounder Food

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.

FLOUNDER FLORENTINE

Steps:

• Sprinkle spinach in a 13-in. x 9-in. baking dish coated with cooking spray. Top with fillets., In a large saucepan, saute onion in butter until tender. Stir in flour, salt, pepper and nutmeg until blended. Gradually add milk. bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. , Pour over fillets; sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and paprika. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 20 minutes or until fish flakes easily with a fork.

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.

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.

FLOUNDER FLORENTINE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Cook the spinach according to package instructions. Drain well and squeeze out any excess water.
• Heat oil and butter in a large saute pan (ovenproof is good).
• Add the minced onion and mushrooms. Saute till softened.
• Add the spinach and stir well till heated through. Add salt and pepper to taste. If using the same pan, separate spinach into the same amounts as you have fish. Usually 4 or 5 sections if the fish is small. Or you can use a pyrex 9 X 18 oven proof dish. Place fish over spinach and sprinkle with paprika. Bake till fish flakes easily. About 30 minutes. Squeeze lemon juice over and serve.

ISLE FLOTTANTE (BAREFOOT CONTESSA) (FLOATING ISLAND) INA GARTEN

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350°F.
• FOR THE CARAMEL: Heat 1 1/2 cup of the sugar and 1/2 cup of the water in a small, heavy-bottomed saucepan until the sugar dissolves. Cook over medium heat until the syrup turns a warm caramel color. Don't stir, just swirl it in the pan.
• Turn off the heat, add 1/2 cup water and 1/2 teaspoons of the vanilla; be careful, the syrup will bubble violently.
• Stir and cook over high heat until the caramel reaches 230 degrees F. (thread stage) on a candy thermometer. Set aside.
• FOR THE PRALINE: Combine the almonds with 1/4 cup of the caramel and spread them on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, until the almonds are lightly browned.
• Allow to cool at room temperature and then break up in pieces.
• Lower the oven to 250°F Line 2 sheet pans with parchment paper.
• FOR THE MERINGUES: Beat the egg whites, salt and cream of tartar in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment on medium speed until frothy.
• Turn the mixer on high speed and add the remaining 1 cup of sugar. Beat until the egg whites are very stiff and glossy.
• Whisk in the remaining teaspoon of vanilla. With dessert spoons place 12 mounds of meringue on parchment paper and bake for 20 minutes, or until a cake tester comes out clean.
• FOR THE CREME ANGLAISE:.
• Beat the egg yolks and sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment on medium-high speed for 3 minutes, or until very thick. Reduce to low speed, and add the cornstarch.
• With the mixer still on low, slowly pour the hot milk into the eggs. Pour the custard mixture into a saucepan and cook over low heat, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, until thickened. The custard will coat the spoon like heavy cream. Don't cook it above 180F or the eggs will scramble!
• Pour the sauce through a fine strainer, add the vanilla extract, Cognac, and vanilla seeds, if using, and chill.
• FOR SERVING: Pour creme anglaise on the bottom of individual plates. Place a meringue on top of each serving, drizzle with caramel sauce, sprinkle with praline, and serve.
• To make a day or two ahead, leave the caramel and praline at room temperature and refrigerate the creme anglaise. Bake the meringues before guests arrive and assemble the desserts just before serving.

EASY SOLE MEUNIERE (BAREFOOT CONTESSA)

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 200 degrees F.
• Have 2 heat-proof dinner plates ready.
• Combine the flour, 1 teaspoon 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.

PANKO-CRUSTED TILAPIA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
• In a shallow bowl, mix panko, garlic, thyme, cayenne, and a generous pinch of both salt and pepper. Add the olive oil to panko mixture, mixing with fingers so that breadcrumbs are evenly coated. Set aside.
• Spray a baking sheet with non-stick cooking spray. Place tilapia fillets on baking sheet at least 1 inch apart. Spread 1/2 tsp dijon mustard (or more to taste) evenly on each fillet. Press panko mixture on top of the mustard, splitting the panko evenly among the four fillets.
• Bake for 10-12 minutes, until fish is cooked through and will flake with a fork.