Sand Dabs Recipe

In this recipe, we will pan-fry the sand dabs until golden brown and then top them with a simple lemon butter sauce that enhances their natural sweetness. The entire dish comes together in under 30 minutes, making it a great option for busy weeknights.
Sand dabs are a versatile fish that can be enjoyed with a variety of sides. For a classic pairing, serve them with lemon wedges, tartar sauce, and your favorite potato dish. You can also get creative and try them with roasted vegetables, rice pilaf, or a light salad.

Ingredients

• 1 pound sand dabs, cleaned and trimmed (about 4-6 fillets)
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 large eggs, beaten
• 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Directions

1. Prepare the Sand Dabs: Pat the sand dabs dry with paper towels. Season them lightly with salt and pepper.
2. Set Up the Breading Station: Set up three shallow bowls in a row. In the first bowl, whisk the flour with a pinch of salt and pepper. In the second bowl, beat the eggs. In the third bowl, add the panko breadcrumbs.
3. Bread the Sand Dabs: Dredge each sand dab in the flour, then dip it in the beaten egg, and finally, coat it evenly with the panko breadcrumbs.
4. Cook the Sand Dabs: Heat the butter and olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once the butter is melted and hot, carefully add the sand dabs to the pan. Cook for 3-4 minutes per side, or until golden brown and the fish flakes easily with a fork.
5. Make the Lemon Butter Sauce: While the sand dabs are cooking, whisk together the lemon juice and parsley in a small bowl. Once the sand dabs are cooked, remove them from the pan and set them aside on a plate.
6. Serve: Add the lemon butter sauce to the pan and cook for an additional minute, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Pour the sauce over the sand dabs and serve immediately.
7. Tips:
8. If you can't find sand dabs, you can substitute them with flounder or sole.
9. To add a bit more flavor to the breading, you can add a teaspoon of dried herbs, such as thyme or oregano, to the panko breadcrumbs.
10. For a richer flavor, you can use browned butter instead of regular butter for the lemon butter sauce. Simply cook the butter in the pan over medium heat until it turns golden brown and has a nutty aroma.
11. Serve the sand dabs with your favorite dipping sauce, such as tartar sauce or cocktail sauce.