PAN-FRIED FLOUNDER

1-2 lbs. flounder fillets
1/3 c. flour
1/3 c. yellow corn meal
1 Tbsp. lemon juice
1/4 c. dry white wine
3 Tbsp. butter
1 tsp. celery salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
1/2 tsp. thyme
tartar sauce (optional)


In a gallon-size food storage bag, mix together the flour, corn meal, celery salt, pepper, and thyme. Place flounder fillets in bag, a few at a time, and shake until coated. Repeat with all fillets.

In a large, nonstick skillet, heat 2 Tbsp. butter over medium heat. Fry as many fillets as you can at a time, about 2 1/2 minutes per side. Remove from pan if necessary to fry the rest of the fillets and keep warm. When all fillets have been fried a total of 5 minutes (or until golden brown), place all fillets back in the pan. Sprinkle the lemon juice over all of the fillets, and add wine. Heat for about 30 seconds over medium-high. Add remaining butter. Reduce heat to medium, and remove pan from heat when the butter has melted and the liquid in the pan begins to thicken. Serve immediately with tartar sauce, if desired.

 

CHEESY ORZO PASTA WITH BROCCOLI

1-1/2 cups orzo pasta 
1 (14 oz.) package of baby broccoli florets 
1 1/2 cups milk, divided 
2 tsp. Dijon mustard
2 Tbsp. flour 
1/2 tsp. salt 
1/4 tsp. pepper 
1-1/4 cups shredded Cheddar cheese 
2 Tbsp. shredded Parmesan cheese 


Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Cook pasta for 4 minutes. Add frozen broccoli and continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until the pasta and broccoli are just tender, 4 to 5 minutes more. 

While pasta is cooking, heat 1-1/2 cups milk in another large pot over medium-high heat until just simmering. Whisk the remaining 1/4 cup milk, flour, garlic powder, salt and pepper in a small bowl until combined. Add the flour mixture to the simmering milk; return to a simmer and cook, whisking constantly, until the mixture is thickened, about 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from the heat and whisk in Cheddar, Parmesan and mustard until the cheese is melted.

Drain the pasta and broccoli and add to the cheese sauce. Return to the heat and cook, stirring, over medium-low heat, until heated through, about 1 minute.


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  This meal is rated a two scrubbie clean-up.