Dover sole, brown butter, lemon.

Dover sole fillets cook in three minutes in foaming butter. Brown the butter afterwards, add capers and lemon, and that is the whole dish.

What do you ask the fishmonger for?

Ask for Dover sole, filleted and pin-boned, two fillets per person. Have the ragged edges trimmed. It matters on the plate.

How do you cook Dover sole fillets?

Heat clarified butter in a heavy pan until it shimmers. Two minutes on the first side, one on the second, maximum. Press gently and do not fuss. Lift to warm plates.

How do you make the brown butter?

Take the same pan and let the butter brown to a deep hazelnut. Off the heat, add capers, a thumb of lemon and flaked salt. Pour it over. Eat immediately.

A good Dover sole does not need friends. Butter, lemon, salt. Walk away.