SOLE WITH SAVORY BREAD CRUMB TOPPING AND ROASTED ASPARAGUS

Sole with Savory Bread Crumb Topping and Roasted Asparagus image

My mom often served a version of this dish when I was a kid, and it was one of my favorites. I guess it makes sense that it has become one of my go-to fast and easy dinners too. It's a weeknight trifecta-simple, tasty, and family friendly. All you need to do is sprinkle seasoned buttered bread crumbs onto a white, flaky fish fillet, and in less than 10 minutes the fish is done and the bread crumbs are crisped. I made it healthier by using freshly made whole-grain bread crumbs (which are a cinch to make) and adding some olive oil to the mix to keep the butter minimal. Roasting asparagus right alongside makes it a real two-for-one. Enjoy with some whole-grain rice, quinoa, or orzo.

Provided by Ellie Krieger

Time 30m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 10

Ingredients

1 bunch asparagus (about 1 pound)
4 teaspoons olive oil
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 medium clove garlic
2 slices whole-wheat sandwich bread
1 1/2 teaspoons unsalted butter
1 medium lemon
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
4 sole fillets or other thin, flaky white fish (6 ounces each)
2 tablespoons fresh Italian parsley leaves

Steps:

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
Trim the asparagus spears, then place them in a baking dish. Toss with 2 teaspoons of the oil and 1/4 teaspoon of the salt. Roast until they are crisp-tender, 10 to 15 minutes depending on the thickness of the spears.
Meanwhile, place the garlic in a food processor and pulse until chopped. Cut off and discard the crusts from the bread, then add the bread to the processor and pulse until fine crumbs are formed.
Heat the remaining 2 teaspoons oil and the butter together in a medium skillet over medium heat. While the oil is heating, finely zest the lemon until you get about 1 teaspoon of zest.
Add the garlic and bread crumbs to the skillet and cook, stirring frequently, until the garlic is fragrant and the crumbs are toasted, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the lemon zest, oregano, and the remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt.
Arrange the fish fillets on an aluminum foil- or parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Squeeze the juice of half of the lemon over the fish, then press the bread crumb mixture on top. Bake until the fish is just opaque and flakes easily with a fork, about 8 minutes. While the fish is cooking, chop the parsley.
To serve, arrange the fish on serving plates with the asparagus alongside. Sprinkle with the juice from the remaining lemon half and the parsley before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 270, Fat 9 grams, SaturatedFat 2 grams, Cholesterol 85 milligrams, Sodium 500 milligrams, Carbohydrate 12 grams, Fiber 4 grams, Protein 37 grams