### Baked Stuffed Flounder Recipe: A Delicious Seafood Delight
Looking to impress your dinner guests or simply enjoy a delicious, light meal? Try making this baked stuffed flounder with a burst of flavors! This recipe is perfect for seafood lovers who want something fresh and easy yet impressive.
1. **Preheat the Oven**: Set your oven to 375°F (190°C). This ensures that the flounder cooks evenly and the stuffing is perfectly cooked.
2. **Prepare Fillets**: Rinse the flounder fillets under cold water, pat them dry with paper towels, and season both sides generously with salt and pepper.
#### Stuffing Assembly:
3. **Cook Quinoa**: Cook quinoa according to package instructions. Let it cool slightly.
4. **Mix Ingredients**: In a large mixing bowl, combine cooked quinoa, diced celery, chopped green onions, minced parsley, thyme, lemon juice, and melted butter until well mixed. The herbs and lemon add a fresh burst of flavor.
5. **Fill the Fillets**: Lay each flounder fillet flat on your work surface, skin side up. Place about 1/4 cup of the quinoa mixture in the center of each fillet.
6. **Seal the Stuffed Flounder**: Fold the edges over the stuffing to enclose it tightly. You can also secure with a few toothpicks if needed.
7. **Prepare the Baking Dish**: Place the stuffed flounder in a lightly greased 9x13-inch baking dish.
8. **Bake**: Cover the baking dish loosely with aluminum foil and bake for about 20-25 minutes or until the fish is fully cooked and flakes easily with a fork.
- Ensure the flounder fillets are of similar thickness to avoid uneven cooking.
- For an extra flavor boost, you can add a squeeze of lemon juice over each stuffed filet before baking.
- If using fresh herbs like parsley or thyme, make sure they are finely minced to ensure even distribution and maximum flavor.
Enjoy your delicious baked stuffed flounder! This recipe is not only impressive but also easy to prepare, making it perfect for both special occasions and weeknight meals.