Flounder with Herbed Couscous

Contributed by Quick From Scratch Fish & Shellfish

ACTIVE:
TOTAL TIME:
SERVINGS: 4

FAST

A puree of parsley and scallions mixed with lemon juice and oil both flavors the couscous and acts as a sauce for the fish. The taste of flat-leaf parsley really comes through if you use the flat-leaf variety.

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3/4 cup loosely packed flat-leaf parsley leaves
2 scallions including green tops, chopped
2 teaspoons lemon juice
4 tablespoons cooking oil
2 1/4 cups water
1 1/4 teaspoons salt
3/4 teaspoon fresh-ground black pepper
1 1/3 cups couscous
2 pounds flounder fillets, cut to make 4 pieces
1/4 cup flour

In a blender, puree the parsley and scallions with the lemon juice, 2 tablespoons of the oil, 1/4 cup of the water, and 1/4 teaspoon each of the salt and pepper.
In a medium saucepan, bring the remaining 2 cups water to a boil with 3/4 teaspoon of the salt and 1/4 teaspoon of the pepper. Stir in 3 tablespoons of the parsley puree and the couscous. Cover, remove from the heat, and let sit for 5 minutes.
In a large nonstick frying pan, heat the remaining 2 tablespoons oil over moderately high heat. Sprinkle the fish with the remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Dust the flounder with the flour and shake off any excess. Sauté the fish until brown and just done, about 2 minutes a side for 1/2-inch-thick fillets. Serve the fish on the couscous with the remaining parsley puree on the top.

Notes

Fish Alternatives Any mild-tasting fish fillets will go well with the relatively delicate sauce. Try lake perch, whiting, croaker, drum, or bass, or of course, any of the flounder family, such as lemon or gray sole.

Variation Flounder with Basil and Parsley Couscous: Make the herb puree with 1/4 cup fresh basil and 1/2 cup flat-leaf parsley leaves.

Suggested Pairing

Match the tartness of the lemon juice with an acidic white wine. Try a good-quality Soave or Orvieto from Italy.