Sautéed Summer Flounder with Tomato Vierge
Ingredients
For the Tomato Vierge
- 1 pint mixed-color cherry tomatoes , halved
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- ½ teaspoon coriander seeds , toasted and ground
- ½ cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- Flaky salt , such as Maldon
- 8 fresh basil leaves , coarsely torn, for garnish
For the Fish
- 2 tablespoons canola oil
- 6 skin-on flounder fillets (cod or halibut can be substituted) , about 4 to 6 ounces each
- Kosher salt and freshly ground white pepper
- 4 tablespoons (½ stick) cold unsalted butter , cubed
Wine Pairing
- Red Bordeaux
Instructions
- Make the tomato vierge: Preheat the oven to 400°F.
- Put the cherry tomatoes in a baking dish and sprinkle with the sugar and coriander. Bake just until the tomatoes begin to soften and wilt, about 8 minutes. Remove from the oven and add the olive oil, lemon juice, and balsamic vinegar. Mix well and season with flaky salt. Set aside.
- Make the fish: In a large nonstick skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of the canola oil over medium-high heat. Season the fillets on both sides with salt and white pepper, then add half the fillets to the pan, flesh-side down. Sear the fish until golden brown, about 3 minutes, then carefully flip the fillets and add 2 tablespoons of the butter to the pan.
- Use a spoon to baste the fish with the butter as it melts. Cook until the fish is no longer opaque and is golden brown on the second side, about 3 minutes. Use a fish spatula to transfer the fillets to a paper towel–lined plate. Wipe the pan clean, then repeat with the remaining fish, olive oil, and butter.
- Place a fillet onto each of six plates. Stir the basil into the tomato vierge and spoon some over each piece of fish. Serve with grilled zucchini, if you’d like.