Pan-Seared Dourada with Lemon Herb Butter: A Simple Gourmet Recipe
The highly valued Mediterranean fish known as gilt-head bream, or dourada, is renowned for its strong, flaky texture and delicate flavour. This recipe for pan-seared dourada, which combines creamy butter, tangy lemon, and fresh herbs to accentuate the natural flavour of the fish, is ideal for a quick yet classy dinner. This recipe is sure to impress whether you are a home cook or an experienced chef. It's also ready in less than half an hour!
Ingredients (Serves 2):
2 fresh dourada fillets (about 200g each)
2 tbsp olive oil
50g unsalted butter
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 lemon (zested and juiced)
1 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped
1 tbsp fresh dill, finely chopped
Salt and black pepper to taste
Optional: 1/4 tsp chili flakes for a hint of spice
Tools Required:
A non-stick skillet
A fish spatula or tongs
Grateful or zester
Cutting board and knife
A little bowl for combining herbs
Time:
Preparation: 10 minutes
Cooking: 12-15 minutes
Total: 25 minutes
Directions:
Get the fish ready:
To guarantee a crispy sear, use a paper towel to pat the dourada fillets dry.
Add a large amount of salt and black pepper to both sides.
Heat the Pan:
Add the olive oil to a non-stick frying pan set over medium-high heat.
Carefully drop the fillets in the pan, skin-side down, once the oil is hot.
Sear the fish:
For 4–5 minutes on the skin side, or until it is crispy and brown.
Using tongs or a fish spatula, turn the fillets over and cook for a further three to four minutes.
Make the Lemon Herb Butter:
By combining the melted butter, parsley, dill, lemon zest, lemon juice, minced garlic, and chilli flakes (if using) in a small bowl.
To finish the dish
Add the herb butter to the pan and lower the heat to low.
To infuse the flavours, spoon the melted butter over the fillets for one to two minutes.
To serve:
Move the fillets to a platter and cover them with the leftover pan sauce.
For presentation, add a slice of lemon and additional herbs as garnish.
Nutritional Information (Per Serving):
Calories: 320 kcal
Protein: 35g
Fat: 20g (Saturated: 8g)
Carbohydrates: 2g
Fiber: 0.5g
Sugar: 0.5g
Sodium: 150mg
Last Tip:
Serve this pan-seared dourada with a fresh rocket salad or roasted veggies on the side for an added flavour boost. If you’re looking for sharp, high-quality knives to cook this dish, check out our assortment at Sharp Blades. Our expertly made knives simplify the process of filleting and chopping.
