Butteriest Black Pepper Fish

Preparation

1. Step 1

   Coarsely crush 2 tsp. black peppercorns with a mortar and pestle or place on a work surface and crush with a heavy skillet; set crushed pepper aside.

   Step 2

   Place 3 Tbsp. all-purpose flour in a shallow bowl. Sprinkle two 4-oz. skinless flounder fillets on both sides with ½ tsp. freshly ground pepper (this is not the reserved pepper you just crushed) and 1½ tsp. Diamond Crystal or ¾ tsp. Morton kosher salt. Working one at a time, dredge fillets in flour, shaking off excess.

   Step 3

   Heat 1 Tbsp. vegetable oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high. Cook fish, undisturbed, until golden underneath, about 2 minutes. Carefully turn over with a spatula and cook on the other side just until cooked through, about 30 seconds. Transfer each fillet to a plate.

   Step 4

   Wipe out skillet. Combine 6 Tbsp. unsalted butter, cut into pieces, and reserved crushed pepper in pan and cook over medium-low heat, swirling pan occasionally, until butter foams, then browns (be careful not to let it burn), 5–8 minutes; remove from heat. Stir 1 Tbsp. finely grated lemon zest and 2 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice and remaining ½ tsp. Diamond Crystal or ¼ tsp. Morton kosher salt into butter.

   Step 5

   Immediately spoon sauce over fish and top with finely chopped parsley.