Almond *Swai* Meuniere
This week’s French Fridays With Dorie challenge is for this simple, delicious pan-fried fish. The original recipe calls for Flounder, but alas, Flounder is an East Coast fish that is not readily available in California. We talked about making it with Trout, but I couldn’t find any at the market today, so I decided to try Swai. I’d never heard of it, but it looked like the best match for a light filet. Not only was it delicious, it turns out that Swai is a farm-raised alternative to Catfish. It is so much better than Orange Roughy or Red Snapper, and just as delicious as Sole. I got these 3 large filets for just over $4! For more information on Swai, click here.
This is a great recipe for a weeknight dinner. It’s simple & delicious. I had a large bag of Almond Meal from my obsession with Macarons – which I was never able to master, BTW – that was just perfect for the Almond crust. I really liked mixing Lemon Zest into the Almond coating.
I’ve seen these featured in several magazines, so I decided to try them. They were just delicious – crispy on the outside & creamy on the inside!
Wash however many new potatoes you’d like – I made a dozen Yukon Gold ones.
Boil them in salted water until tender – about 20 minutes – and drain.
Pre-heat the oven to 450 degrees.
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and drizzle with olive oil.
Evenly space the potatoes out on the sheet, then smash with the bottom of a glass.
Drizzle more olive oil on top of the potatoes and sprinkle them with Truffle Salt and freshly ground pepper.
Bake for 30 minutes.
Oven-roasted Asparagus |
| Tree Swallow protecting its nest – Ventura Harbor, CA |
I’ve always wanted to make smashed potatoes – yours look so delicious, as does the fish and roasted asparagus!
wow..looks amazingly tasty
Tasty Appetite
Your meal looks so delish! I loved the simplicity of this dish…I think it took me 15 minutes to make dinner and everyone here loved it. Nice to find foods that are quick and enjoyed by the family…even if I did have to use frozen flounder…your fish choice sounds good. Hope you have a good weekend too.
Nicely done! I’ve done some study on Swai and it is in the top ten of most purchased fish in the US now! As you observed, it is better tasting than catfish and orange roughy.
I loved this, too! Love an easy, delicious dinner recipe. I make those smashed potatoes all the time…in fact, Nick requested them for his birthday dinner last weekend…so yummy! Have a wonderful weekend, Susan! xo
I have never heard of that fish either. They look like really nice, thick filets and cooked perfectly with the almond meal. Another lovely dinner!
Everything looks so delicious!! I have to try your potatoes. I really liked this too – I’ll have to try the Swai – I’ve seen it, but didn’t know what it was. Thanks!!!!
I’ve never heard of your fish of choice either…but it looks great! Living in NJ fresh flounder was readily available to me! It was very good, but It was the browned butter and almond coating that made this dish. Your smashed potatoes look amazing…a must try! Happy friday, Susan!
Susan, as usual you created another amazing meal! Have a great weekend!
I grew up having this with flounder or sole on the east coast. Now I cannot get either here in the Midwest. But you have made me yearn for it so I will be checking out some snapper or tilapia. I forgot how much I love it.
Although I have no idea how this fish is called in Greek, it looks delicious and with the crust even better Susan. I googled it but I couldn’t find the translation. The potatoes look fantastic and i am sure you made one perfect meal!
I have never heard of Swai either, but it sure looks good. In fact your whole meal looks fantastic! I love both smashed potatoes and roasted asparagus.
What a wonderful meal you prepared.I have to try those smashed potatoes, they look utterly delicious and so does the roasted asparagus. Very nice looking presentation, your dinner plate looks just so appetizing! Great post!
Have a great weekend!
Thanks for sharing the potato recipe, that looks delicious and I will definitely be trying those out. Your fish looks great too, never heard of that kind before, but I think the most important thing with fish is to pick whatever is freshest wherever you live. No flounder by me either, but sole was very easy to come by.
Just so you know, my husband is now leaning over my shoulder asking me when we can make those potatoes
I think this is a great weekday meal… after making the lamb stew. Cool potatoes, gonna have to try those.
Fantastic looking meal! Love the accompaniments you selected. I had never heard of Swai before this week, and it sounds interesting. And you are the second to give it good reviews. Happy Cinco De Mayo!
Can’t believe the deal you got on that fish. Like you, never heard of Swai before. Glad you liked it
Both of our families loved this fish recipe, so simple and delicious. I love that potato recipe, will definitely have to try that soon.
I never realized that fish was not available all over. I am
going to research the type of fish you used, sounds very interesting.
Your whole menu looks amazing, as usual.
Thanks for introducing swai to us all. I’ve never seen that one, but I’ll keep my eyes open. I love your sides for this, especially the smashed potatoes! Have a great weekend!
Susan, It was bouncing around the FFWD comments that you used Swai also. I had never heard of the fish but the butcher at Von’s suggested it would be perfect for this recipe. As I wrote in my Post, I check it out and don’t know if I’m real confident about using this fish. Yes, it was delicious. Now those smashed potatoes. That’s my idea of a good time. I can’t get enough asparagus and I served it with my Skai also.
ooh I used asparagus too! Love your smashed potatoes, I think I will try making some!
Your fish got some really great color on it!
I have never of Swai before, guess it must be tasty…since it is light filet. Everything looks delicious! I am surely going to cook this again for the family..it is really tasty :)Have a nice weekend!
We had these with roasted asparagus as well and it was yummy. I love the idea for smashed roasted potatoes and will have to try that sometime.
Beautiful little swallow:) I’ve never heard of Swai either but ran across it on another blog. In Oklahoma we don’t have many fresh fish options so its either frozen or catfish. Yours look great and I love the potato idea!