Description
Succulent pan-fried fish with lemon butter sauce promises a Mediterranean culinary journey that dances between delicate seafood and zesty citrus notes. Crispy exterior and silky sauce invite you to savor each perfectly balanced, flavor-packed bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Fish Ingredients:
- 4 fish fillets (white fish like cod or halibut)
- 1 tsp salt
- 0.5 tsp black pepper
Sauce Ingredients:
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
Coating and Cooking Ingredients:
- 0.5 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 lemon, sliced for garnish
- 0.25 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Pat fish fillets thoroughly dry with paper towels to ensure crisp, golden exterior during cooking.
- Season fish evenly with salt and black pepper, creating a balanced flavor profile across all surfaces.
- Spread flour on a flat plate and delicately coat each fish fillet, shaking off excess to create a light, even layer.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until oil shimmers and appears slightly rippled.
- Carefully place flour-dusted fillets into hot skillet, cooking 3-4 minutes per side until edges turn golden brown and fish becomes opaque throughout.
- Remove fish and transfer to serving plates, keeping warm while preparing the sauce.
- Reduce skillet heat to medium-low and add butter, allowing it to melt smoothly and develop a gentle golden color.
- Incorporate minced garlic into melted butter, stirring quickly to prevent burning and release aromatic flavors.
- Pour lemon juice into butter mixture, creating a vibrant, tangy sauce that bubbles gently.
- Sprinkle chopped parsley and optional red pepper flakes into sauce, stirring to distribute flavors evenly.
- Drizzle warm lemon butter sauce directly over cooked fish fillets.
- Garnish with fresh lemon slices and serve immediately to preserve optimal temperature and texture.
Notes
- Moisture Matters: Thoroughly drying fish fillets prevents steaming and ensures a beautifully crisp, golden-brown exterior with delightful texture.
- Seasoning Strategy: Apply salt and pepper generously but evenly to enhance the fish’s natural flavors without overwhelming the delicate protein.
- Flour Finesse: Use a light, even flour coating to create a delicate crispy crust that adds subtle crunch without heavy breading.
- Temperature Timing: Watch for oil shimmer and slight rippling as the perfect indicator of optimal pan-frying heat, preventing soggy or burned fish.
- Dietary Adaptations: Swap wheat flour with almond or gluten-free flour blend for those with gluten sensitivities, maintaining the same crispy texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg