Fluke in Lemon Brodetto With Scallops and Squash
Updated November 9, 2022
- Total Time
- 40 minutes
- Rating
- Comments
- Read comments
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Ingredients
FOR THE BRODETTO
2 thin-skinned lemons
1 heaping teaspoon kosher salt
½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
3 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon sugar
1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 heaping teaspoon fresh oregano leaves
1 heaping teaspoon fresh marjoram leaves
2 cups chicken stock, preferably homemade, or low-sodium
1 cup dry white wine
8 medium-size scallops
FOR THE SQUASH
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 small butternut squash, peeled and cubed, approximately ½ pound
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
2 teaspoons fresh marjoram leaves
FOR THE FLUKE
¼ to ⅓ cup extra-virgin olive oil, enough to flood your pan
1 pound fluke, cut into four equal portions
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
1 tablespoon finely milled flour, like Wondra, or all-purpose flour
2 scallions, thinly sliced
Preparation
- Step 1
For the brodetto, cut the lemons in half and then into quarters, deseeding them as you go. Put them into the bowl of a food processor with the salt, pepper and sugar, and pulse to combine. You want them broken down but not completely puréed. Drizzle the olive oil into the mixture slowly, pulsing to emulsify the jam. Blend in the oregano and marjoram leaves.
- Step 2
In a small pot set over medium heat, combine the chicken stock and wine. When it begins to simmer, add the lemon-oregano jam, and stir to combine. Lower heat, and keep warm.
- Step 3
For the butternut squash, place a large sauté pan over medium-high heat, and swirl in the olive oil. When it begins to shimmer, add the squash, salt and pepper, and toss to combine. Cook, stirring occasionally, until they are browned, crisp and tender, approximately 7 minutes. Remove from the heat, stir in the marjoram leaves and set aside in a warm place.
- Step 4
For the fluke, heat the olive oil in a large sauté pan set over high heat until it is nearly smoking. Meanwhile, season the fluke with salt and pepper, and dust one side of each fillet with flour. Cook the fillets flour-side down for approximately 4 minutes, until the skin is nicely crisp and brown and about ¾ of the way cooked. Carefully turn the fillets with a wide spatula, and cook for an additional 2 or 3 minutes, until done. Remove from the oil, and drain quickly on paper towel.
- Step 5
Meanwhile, turn the heat under the brodetto to high, and add the scallops to the liquid to heat through, approximately 2 minutes. Divide the scallops among four warmed bowls.
- Step 6
Assemble the dishes. To the scallops add ¼ of the squash and equal amounts of brodetto, and top with a fluke fillet. Sprinkle with the scallions, and serve immediately.
Private Notes
Comments
I really like this recipe and will make the following modifications next time: more squash, less lemon. I used home made stock I had and feel like this liquid gold was unappreciated in this recipe, and I will likely use store bought next time. I love scallops, and sliced them in half, and lightly browned them before I put them in the broth, but found they didn't absorb much flavor or add to the dish. I might try browning them a bit further next time.
Used Bouillon cubes and an unknown variety of lemon—completely peeled—from the fruit stand. Probably don't need to make homemade stock, as the lemon jam dominates, but my bouillon is pretty high quality. Had trouble with flipping the fish, as my filets were quite thin, unsure if that would have been easier with more flour or with less (but once it's in the bowl with the brodetto, who cares?) Served with homemade focaccia!
This is one of the best recipe's from the New York Times I have cooked. I have cooked a lot.
This is outstanding. Next level

