Dover Sole is an uncommon but delicious fish that is usually served in high end seafood restaurants. The reason it is so delicious is because it’s extremely low in fat, which makes it tasty if prepared properly. This easy recipe is a great option for weeknight dinners or Sunday supper when you have time to cook something special. Although this is a delicate fish, that is very thin, it stays amazingly tender when prepared this way.
Published: May 2022 · Modified: August 2024
What you will need to make this dish:
Here’s a breakdown of the ingredients for Dover sole with white wine caper sauce and why they are important:
For the Dover Sole:
- Dover Sole fillets: The main protein in the dish, known for its delicate flavor and fine texture.
- Flour: Used for dredging the fish, giving it a light coating that helps create a golden, crispy exterior when pan-fried.
- Granulated garlic: Adds depth and a mild garlic flavor to the flour mixture, enhancing the overall taste of the fish.
- Ancho chili powder: Provides a smoky, mild heat, complementing the fish without overpowering its delicate flavor.
- Black pepper: Adds a subtle spice and warmth, balancing the flavors in the dredging mixture.
For the White Wine and Caper Sauce:
- Butter: Forms the base of the sauce, providing richness and a silky texture that coats the fish beautifully.
- Shallot: Adds a mild, sweet onion flavor that complements the delicate fish without overwhelming it.
- Fresh garlic: Adds a punch of fresh, aromatic garlic flavor to the sauce, deepening its complexity.
- White wine: Adds acidity, brightness, and a subtle fruity flavor, helping to balance the richness of the butter.
- Red pepper flakes: Adds a hint of heat and complexity to the sauce.
- Capers: Provide a tangy, briny flavor that cuts through the richness of the sauce, enhancing the overall dish.
- Salt and pepper: Adjusts the seasoning of the sauce to taste, ensuring the flavors are balanced and well-rounded.
How to Make Dover Sole with White Wine Caper Sauce:
For the Dover Sole:
- Prepare the Coating:
- In a shallow bowl, mix together the flour, granulated garlic, ancho chili powder, and black pepper.
- Heat the Pan:
- Heat 2 tablespoons of canola oil in a heavy frying pan over medium heat.
- Dredge and Cook the Fillets:
- Working in batches of 3-4 fillets (depending on the size of your pan), lightly dredge each fillet in the flour mixture.
- Place the fillets in the hot oil and cook for 2 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and cooked through.
- Remove the fillets from the pan and keep warm on a cookie sheet in a 300°F (150°C) oven.
- Repeat Cooking:
- Continue the process with the remaining fillets.
For the White Wine and Capers Sauce:
- Sauté Shallots:
- Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat.
- Add the diced shallot and cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add Garlic:
- Stir in the grated garlic and cook for an additional 2 minutes.
- Deglaze and Simmer:
- Pour in the white wine and bring to a simmer. Let it cook for 5 minutes to allow the alcohol to evaporate.
- Add Flavors:
- Sprinkle in a pinch of red pepper flakes.
- Stir in the capers and cook until heated through.
- Season:
- Season the sauce with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- Serve:
- Drizzle the sauce over the warm Dover Sole fillets and enjoy!
This dish pairs beautifully with a side of roasted vegetables or a fresh salad for a complete meal.
Dover Sole À la Meunière is a fancy name for this meal
À la Meunière is a French cooking term that means literally “in the manner of the miller’s wife”, which in turn indicates that there is flour involved. More specifically, it refers to fish that has been lightly floured in seasoned flour, then fried in butter, then served with a simple butter-based sauce.
What fish does Dover sole taste like?
Can I make this dish without the wine?
If you do not want to use wine in this recipe, you can substitute vegetable broth, and then add in a teaspoon of lemon juice for the acid. This dish comes alive with just a splash of lemon!
Where do I buy Dover sole?
We are land locked from water, so we buy our seafood from Whole Foods. The seafood section at our store stocks fresh and frozen seafood, which we buy the day we use it in our recipes.
Is Dover sole healthy?
Sole fillet is naturally rich source of minerals including iodine, calcium, zinc, potassium, phosphorus, and magnesium. It is one of the finest sources of essential fatty acids, protein, minerals and fat-soluble vitamins like vitamin A, E and D.
Ingredients
For the Dover Sole:
- 1 1/2 lbs. Dover Sole filets 8 oz. per person
- 1 cup flour
- 1 tablespoons Granulated Garlic
- 1 tablespoons Ancho Chili Powder
- 1 Teaspoon Black pepper
For the White Wine with Capers Sauce:
- ½ cup butter
- 1 medium shallot finely diced
- 3 cloves fresh garlic grated
- ¼ cup white wine
- Pinch of red pepper flakes
- 2 Tablespoon capers drained
- Salt and pepper to taste.
Instructions
For the Dover Sole:
- Mix flour, garlic granules, ancho chili powder & pepper in a shallow bowl.
- Heat 2 Tbls canola oil in a heavy frying pan.
- Working in batches of 3-4 filets (depends on the size of your pan), dredge the fillets lightly in the flour mixture.
- Place the first batch of filets in the hot oil and cook for 2 minutes. Flip and cook for two more minutes. Remove filets from the pan and keep warm in a 300 degree oven on a cookie sheet.
- Repeat steps 2-4 until all the filets are cooked.
For the white wine caper sauce
- Melt butter in a saucepan.
- Add in shallot and cook until softened.
- Next, stir in garlic and cook for 2 more minutes.
- Now pour in the wine and simmer for 5 minutes, to cook off alcohol.
- Sprinkle in a few red pepper flakes.
- Right before serving add capers until warm.
- Season with salt and fresh ground pepper.
Nutrition
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Eѵeryone loves it when peⲟple come together and shaгe thoughts.
Great bloɡ, continue the good work!
Carlton,
Thank you for the kind comment! That means so much!
Dina and Bruce
This was delicious and so easy! Thank you for sharing the recipe. One of my favorite fish recipes now!💗
Kim,
Awe, you just made our day! We are so glad you like this!
Dina and Bruce
We just received your email! We are having company tonight and this dish will be perfect! Thank you!
Elaine and James,
So glad! Enjoy!
Dina and Bruce