Big Easy Whole Flounder
This dish got its “Big Easy” name from the New Orleans–inspired Cajun seasoning that defines its flavor, and also because it’s one of the biggest, easiest party dishes I know. The fish can be prepared and in the oven in less than 15 minutes, and it doesn’t take much longer to cook. Cleanup is a snap, too, as long as you line the baking pan with foil. (Once the fish is cooked, just toss out the foil and return the pan to the cabinet.) For a simple dinner party after a day at the beach, it can’t be beat. I serve whole flounder whenever I can find it because I’m smitten with the clean, light taste of this white fish, and for sentimental reasons, too. I spent many a summer on the Texas Gulf Coast, sunning, swimming, and fishing on the Bolivar Peninsula near Galveston. At night we’d step into our old tennis shoes, and armed with a flashlight and a spear, we’d wade into the Gulf up to our knees, shine the flashlight in the water, and when we spotted a bottom-dwelling flounder, we’d spear it. We tried really hard not to spear our own feet, and succeeded, though we did end up at the local ER a couple of times—never for a speared foot, though. This recipe pairs nicely with One-Pot Cajun New Potatoes, page 75.
Recipe information
Yield
serves 6 to 8
Ingredients
Preparation
Step 1
Arrange the oven rack in the center of the oven. Preheat the oven to high broil. Cover the bottom of a large metal baking pan with heavy-duty aluminum foil and lightly grease it with cooking spray. Season the fish inside and out with Cajun seasoning. Set it in the prepared baking pan. Around the sides of the fish, pour the wine and lemon juice and scatter the cherry tomatoes and capers. Arrange the pats of butter in a line on top of the fish. Broil until the flesh of the fish is opaque throughout, about 20 minutes (cut a little slit in the thickest part of the fish to check).
Step 2
For a dramatic presentation, take the whole fish to the table on a platter. Then whisk it back to the kitchen to deb one for serving. Arrange equal portions of fish on individual plates along with a generous helping of tomatoes. Pour a bit of pan juice over each piece of fish.
tip
Step 3
Aside from flounder, any mild white whole fish will do for this recipe, such as trout, snapper, bass, or grouper. If you can’t find a big enough fish to feed everyone, buy two and broil them in the same pan.
