Freshwater Fish with Pine Nuts, Tangerine, and Capers

• 2 (6- to 8-ounce each) boneless fillets of freshwater fish such as walleye, perch, or northern pike 

• Fine sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

• Wondra or all-purpose flour, for dusting

• 1 tablespoon canola oil

• 2 tablespoons pine nuts

• 4 wide strips of tangerine peel

• 1 heaping tablespoon capers

• 4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) salted butter, at room temperature

Heat a large skillet (one that can accommodate both fish fillets with space to spare) over high heat.

Sprinkle both sides of the fish with salt and pepper, and dust the skin, or if you're going skinless, the prettier side (that which was closest to the bone) with a thin layer of flour.

Add the canola oil to the hot skillet, and then add the fish, flour-side down. Press the fish gently into the pan with a flat spatula, and cook over high (but not raging) heat until the underside turns dark golden brown and doneness creeps two-thirds of the way up the sides of the fish, about 2 minutes. 

When the opaque whiteness has crept two-thirds up the side of the fish, you're ready to flip it over. Add the butter, pine nuts, tangerine peel, and capers to the pan, and then flip the fish. Immediately begin basting the fish with a large serving spoon, tilting the pan slightly and spooning the hot foaming butter over the fillets until the inside of the fish begins to flake, the exterior has turned evenly golden, and the butter has browned, 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer the fish to plates and serve immediately. 

[More: Amy Thielen on cooking freshwater fish]