How to Fillet Northern Pike & Remove the Y-Bones
Not sure how to fillet a walleye?  Click here for R. Karl's step-by-step instructions.

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Lodge Logic 12-Inch Pre-Seasoned Skillet
 

 
Successful Walleye Fishing

 

Meuniere-Style Walleye Pike Recipe
(Lemon Butter Sauce with Capers)

It has always been amazing to me that the most excellent tasting dishes are often the simplest to prepare. The recipe here for walleye done meuniere style is one I learned a long time ago.  Although fairly simple, it is intimidating to most due to the flaming of the fish.  However, the flames can in fact be avoided if need be (either don't cook on a gas flame or just don't ignite the alcohol with a match- simply add the alcohol and let it steam away).  The main thing to remember is that the dish is incredibly easy to prepare - even while on vacation in the north woods - but the flavor is exquisite and will impress anyone who tastes it.  It was inspired by one of my favorite chefs:

Note: Make sure to disconnect smoke detector before flaming the alcohol!  The flame can be large but will not be "out of control."  You may want to practice first...

Ingredients:

bullet1 Fresh Walleye Pike, filleted
(any size, but a 14 -16 inch fish - before filleting -  is perfect)
bullet2-3 Tablespoons clarified butter
bullet1/2 fresh lemon
bulletApprox 2-3 oz of 50/50 mixture of vermouth and brandy
bullet2 Tablespoons of capers
bulletSalt & pepper to taste
 

Instructions:

Soak fillets in egg & milk mixture, then coat the fillets with flour/bread crumb mixture.  Heat an iron skillet or heavy aluminum pan and add about a capful of olive oil and the clarified butter. 

Place the fillets in the pan rib cage-side down and sauté on high heat for two - three minutes or until the fish is browned. 

Turn fish over and pour in vermouth/brandy mixture.  Tilt pan and allow alcohol mixture to ignite in order to burn off the alcohol (Alternately, use a long-reach butane lighter if cooking on an electric stove).  CAUTION - this will create a large flare-up... but it will die down quickly. 


After flame begins to die out, squeeze lemon over fish and add capers.  Have warm plates ready and serve immediately.  The fillets will be moist and tender and the capers and lemon will compliment each other very well.  There will also be a very tasty sauce that should be spooned over the fish - it is excellent!.  Serve with wild rice, garlic mashed or baked potato and white wine.  You'll be amazed at how flaky, tender and tasty this fish can be!

Clarified Butter is really nothing more than the oil taken from butter once it has been melted.  Take about 1/3 to 1/2 of a stick of butter and melt it in a sauce pan over very low heat - this should easily give you 3 tablespoons worth.  Skim the "scum" away from the surface and take the oil beneath.  On the very bottom is the whey and water that is to be avoided.  This oil still has  all the wonderful butter flavor but will not burn until it reaches a much higher temperature than "normal" butter.


 


 

 

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