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While almond crusted fish piccata may bear little resemblance to the red-and-white checkered classic, it’s fresher, nuttier & keeps all the familiar flavors.
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Fish Piccata with Fried Caper & Fennel Salad

While my almond crusted fish piccata may bear little resemblance to red-and-white checkered classic, it’s fresher, nuttier & keeps all the familiar flavors.
Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian
Servings 4
Calories 656kcal

Ingredients

FRIED CAPER & FENNEL SALAD

  • 1/4 cup brined capers drained
  • 1 cup grapeseed oil
  • 2 Tbsp preserved lemon finely minced
  • 1 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • 1/8 tsp red chili flakes
  • 1/4 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley roughly chopped
  • 1 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 Tbsp reserved fried caper oil
  • 1 small fennel bulb halved, cored, and shaved thinly on a mandolin
  • Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper

FISH PICCATA

  • 1 lb sole or another flaky white fish cut into 4 oz fillets
  • 2 tsp kosher salt divided
  • 1/2 tsp freshly cracked black pepper
  • 1/2 cup cornstarch
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1/4 cup whole milk
  • 1 cup Barney Butter Almond Flour
  • 1.5 cup Panko Breadcrumbs
  • 2 Tbsp unsalted butter plus 1 Tbsp more for the pan sauce
  • 2 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1/2 cup dry white wine
  • 3 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • 1 Tbsp fresh flat-leaf parsley roughly chopped
  • 1 Tbsp fennel fronds roughly chopped
  • kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Prepare the Fried Caper & Fennel Salad

  • Drain the capers well and pat gently between paper towels to dry. Add the grapeseed oil to a 2-quart saucepan and heat to 350°F over high-heat. Add the capers and fry until the capers begin to open, about 2 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer to a paper towel to cool. Reserve 1 Tbsp of the caper infused oil.
  • In a small bowl, add the preserved lemon, lemon juice, chili flakes, parsley, extra-virgin olive oil, and the reserved caper oil. Using your hands, add the shaved fennel and mix to combine. Add a pinch of freshly cracked black pepper. Just before serving, stir in the fried capers.

Prepare the Fish Piccata

  • Set three wide, shallow bowls on your work surface. Add the cornstarch seasoned with 1 tsp of kosher salt to the first bowl, the eggs beaten with the milk to the second, and the panko mixed with the almond flour to the third.
  • Pat the fish dry with a paper towel and then season on both sides with the remaining 1 tsp of salt and 1/2 tsp of freshly cracked black pepper. One at a time, dredge the fish in the cornstarch, shaking off the excess. Next, dip the fish in the egg mixture and lift to allow the excess to drain off. Then, gently press the fish into the almond flour making sure to coat well on both sides. Transfer the fish to a clean plate and repeat with the remaining fillets.
  • Heat your largest sauté pan over medium-high heat. Add 2 Tbsp of butter and 2 Tbsp of extra-virgin olive oil and heat until the butter starts to foam. Add two pieces of fish to the pan taking care not crowd the fish and press down on each with a spatula to ensure a good sear.
  • Cook the fish for about 2 minutes (depending on thickness) before flipping and cooking for another 2 minutes on the other side. Carefully transfer the fish to a plate. Repeat with the remaining fillets. If the butter starts to burn, wipe-out the pan and start again using another 2 Tbsp of butter and 2 Tbsp of oil.
  • Once all the fish is cooked, wipe-out the pan and return it to medium-high heat. Add the wine and cook to burn off the raw alcohol taste, about 1 minute. Add the lemon juice and simmer for 15 seconds. Turn off the heat and add the remaining 1 Tbsp of butter and the parsley, whisking until emulsified into a pan sauce.
  • Carefully transfer the fish to individual plates. Spoon about 2 Tbsp of the pan sauce over each fillet. Top with the Fried Caper & Fennel Salad divided equally among the plates. Garnish with the fennel fronds. Season with salt and pepper.

Notes

Fish is a delicate business. One minute your carefully coated fillets look great, then they are overcooked. That's why I use double dredge with cornstarch before frying. The double coat ensures a nice crust without overcooking. The cornstarch fries up crispier than regular flour and is less heavy.
Light, crispy, and perfect every time.
This post was created in partnership with Barney Butter. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Nutrition

Serving: 25% | Calories: 656kcal | Carbohydrates: 44g | Protein: 27g | Fat: 39g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 149mg | Sodium: 2041mg | Potassium: 571mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 865IU | Vitamin C: 19.6mg | Calcium: 194mg | Iron: 3.8mg