Pan Fried Flounder the Way My Mom Made It
One of my favorite recipes is this pan-fried flounder with potatoes and parsley recipe. This dish embodies simplicity and elegance, combining the tender, mild flavors of flounder with the earthy richness of potatoes, all elevated by the fresh, vibrant notes of parsley. Perfect for a weeknight dinner or a special occasion, this recipe promises to impress with its balance of taste and texture.
The star of this dish is the flounder, known for its delicate and slightly sweet flavor. Pan-frying the fillets ensures a crispy, golden crust while keeping the interior moist and tender. Complementing the flounder are baby potatoes, parboiled to achieve a tender yet firm bite and then pan-fried to crisp perfection. The potatoes add a hearty, comforting element, making this dish satisfyingly substantial.
The finishing touch is a generous sprinkling of fresh parsley, adding a burst of color and a hint of brightness that cuts through the richness of the fish and potatoes. With just a few simple ingredients, this recipe showcases how fresh, high-quality components can create a straightforward and sublime meal. Enjoy this harmonious blend of flavors and textures, perfect for any occasion.
Historical Significance
Pan-fried flounder is special in Danish cuisine due to its deep cultural and historical significance. With its extensive coastline, Denmark has a long-standing fishing tradition, and flounder is an abundant fish in Danish waters. The preparation of flounder in Danish cuisine reflects the country’s commitment to simple, fresh, and flavorful dishes.
- Historical Roots: Denmark’s tradition of eating fish, including flounder, dates back centuries. Fishing has been a vital part of the country’s economy and way of life, shaping its culinary traditions. Flounder, readily available and relatively easy to catch, became a staple in the Danish diet.
- Simplicity and Freshness: Danish cuisine is known for its emphasis on fresh, local ingredients and uncomplicated cooking methods. Pan-frying flounder aligns perfectly with these principles, allowing the fish’s natural flavors to shine. The use of minimal ingredients and straightforward techniques highlights the fish’s quality.
- Seasonal Eating: Denmark has a strong tradition of eating seasonally, and flounder is particularly popular during the fishing seasons when it is freshest. This practice ensures the best flavor and supports sustainable fishing practices.
- Cultural Significance: Fish dishes, including pan-fried flounder, are integral to Danish celebrations and everyday meals. They are often featured in traditional feasts and are cherished for their simplicity and connection to the sea.
- Healthy Eating: Danish cuisine values healthy, balanced meals. Fish, such as flounder, is an excellent source of lean protein and omega-3 fatty acids, making it a nutritious choice that aligns with the Danish emphasis on well-being.
Pan-fried flounder is essential to Danish cuisine because it embodies the country’s rich fishing heritage, preference for fresh and simple ingredients, seasonal eating practices, cultural traditions, and commitment to healthy living.
Chef Trina Hahnemann
Yesterday, I posted an interview with Danish celebrity chef and cookbook author Trina Hahnemann about her new cookbook, The Scandinavian Cookbook, and how to be a better home cook. The interview covers a lot of ground, so I suggest you check out my interview with Trina Hahnemann. It is a beautiful read with some great tips on how to approach cooking in your own way.
One of the recipes I fondly remember my Danish mom cooking is Pan-fried Flounder with Potatoes and Parsley. My dad would grow red potatoes in his garden and, just before dinner, go out and dig up some young ones we called new potatoes. Because the skin is thinner than what you find on older potatoes, they were seldom peeled.
My mom would boil them until tender and serve them with pan-fried flounder. Then, some weekends down at the Jersey shore when the Barnegat Bay was full of flounder, we would enjoy fresh, hour-old fish after going out on my Uncle Walt’s boat. I like Trina’s method of preparing the potatoes better than my mom’s (but I wouldn’t admit that to my mom).
Thank you, Trina, and I urge everyone to read my interview with Chef Hahnemann.
Pan Fried Flounder with Potatoes and Parsley
Ingredients
- 1¾ pounds new potatoes try fingerling potatoes if you can find them
- salt and pepper
- 4 flounder filets
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 9 tablespoons butter
- ¼ cup fresh parsley minced
Garnish for Serving
- 1 lemon sliced
- 4 sprigs dill
Instructions
- Boil the potatoes in a large pot of salted water. Remember to put the potatoes in cold water, let them come to a boil, and cook until fork tender. Drain the potatoes and let them cool down, then peel them (or not if they are new potatoes).
- Rinse the flounder under cold water and pat dry with a paper towel.
- Coat each flounder filet in flour, being sure to shake off any excess flour, or it will burn in the pan and make a mess.
- Melt five tablespoons of the butter in a large skillet or fry pan big enough to hold all four flounder filets. Use two pans or cook in batches if your pan is not big enough. Pan-fry the fish for about 5 minutes on each side or until the filets are golden brown. If cooking in batches, keep the cooked filets warm while you finish the rest.
- Here you can use another pan to finish the potatoes or remove the fish to a plate and keep it warm. Add the remaining four tablespoons of butter to the pan, add the potatoes and sauté a minute or two. Next, add the minced fresh parsley and stir to coat.
- Season with salt and pepper, to taste, and serve immediately with the flounder topped with slices of lemon and dill sprigs.
- This is so simple to prepare and extremely delicious especially if the potatoes and fish are ultra-fresh.
2 Responses
I’ve always liked pan fried fish with Potatoes and Parsley.
Very simple dish, but it’s nice to learn the right way to do it. when I tried to duplicate my mother’s, I put the parsley in at the wrong time and it was never quite right. Thanks
Simple and delicious, my kind of meal. Thanks for visiting and commenting. – RG