Cornmeal-Crusted Flounder (Parve)

By
Giora Shimoni
Giora Shimoni
A kosher food enthusiast and home cook with hundreds of published recipes, Giora Shimoni has worked in online publishing for over 20 years.
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Updated on 12/21/22
fish fillet with asparagus and lemon
Benjamin Brandt / Getty Images
Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 20 mins
Total: 30 mins
Servings: 4 to 6 servings
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
266 Calories
12g Fat
16g Carbs
23g Protein
Show Full Nutrition Label Hide Full Nutrition Label
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4 to 6
Amount per serving
Calories 266
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 12g 15%
Saturated Fat 2g 11%
Cholesterol 133mg 44%
Sodium 517mg 22%
Total Carbohydrate 16g 6%
Dietary Fiber 1g 5%
Total Sugars 0g
Protein 23g
Vitamin C 0mg 0%
Calcium 43mg 3%
Iron 1mg 7%
Potassium 332mg 7%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

Schnitzels of all types are common in Israel and inspired Giora Shimoni to create this Cornmeal-Crusted Flounder recipe. Though it's similar to a fish schnitzel, Shimoni says this recipe "is lighter and more unique in flavor." Don't feel restricted to using flounder—the recipe will work nicely with any firm white fish fillets, such as halibut, cod, and sole.

Make It a Meal

Serve the fish with a salad of peppery arugula and juicy tomatoes, along with a hunk of freshly baked cornbread. Or take a cue from Shimoni's kids, and stuff it into a soft roll with lettuce and tartar sauce. Rainbow slaw and baked sweet potato fries make ideal side dishes if you go the sandwich route. A seasonal fruit dessert makes the perfect sweet finish.

Ingredients

  • 6 flounder fillets, cut in half lengthwise


  • 2 large eggs

  • 2 tablespoons water

  • 1 cup ground cornmeal

  • 1 dash salt

  • 1 dash freshly ground black pepper

  • 3 tablespoons olive oil, for frying

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

  2. Rinse the fish fillets in cold water and gently pat them dry with a paper towel. Set aside.

  3. In a shallow bowl large enough to dip the fillets in, beat the eggs and water together. In another similarly sized bowl, whisk together the cornmeal, salt, and pepper.

  4. Dip a fish fillet in egg, then dredge it in the cornmeal mixture. Repeat with the remaining fillets.

  5. Warm the oil in a large, heavy skillet set over medium-high heat (cast iron is ideal).

  6. When the oil is hot, add the fish, taking care not to crowd the pan. (Depending on the size of the fillets and your skillet, you may need to fry in 2 or 3 batches. Or, use 2 skillets at the same time). 

  7. Cook the fish for 3 to 4 minutes on each side (depending on the thickness of the fillets), or until the coating is crisp and the fish is opaque in the center.

  8. Drain on paper towels, then serve immediately.

  9. Enjoy!

Tips

  • Shimoni recommends buying the fish fresh from a reputable fishmonger, as the quality is "generally much better than fish bought from the grocery store frozen section."
  • How can you tell if your oil is hot enough for frying? It should be shimmering, but not smoking, and if you (carefully!) flick a drop of water in the pan, it should sizzle.