Red snapper just about jump into your boat off the coast of Savannah, where there’s a fishing area near us known as the snapper bank. We like to sear the fillets and serve them with a delicious sauce of lemony butter with basil. In fact, we’d probably eat anything we put this butter sauce on.

　　

Ingredients

serves 4

　　3 tablespoons unsalted butter

　　1 1/2 teaspoons freshly squeezed lemon juice

　　1 large garlic clove, finely chopped

　　1/4 teaspoon salt, plus additional for seasoning

　　1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus additional for seasoning

　　Four 6- to 8-ounce red snapper fillets

　　3 tablespoons olive oil

　　2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil

　　

Step 1

To make the butter sauce: combine the butter, lemon juice, garlic, the 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper in a medium saucepan and cook over low heat, stirring, until the butter melts. Cover and keep warm over low heat.

　　

Step 2

Score the skin side of the snapper with 3 or 4 shallow diagonal cuts. Season lightly with the additional salt and pepper. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook the snapper skin side down for 3 minutes. Turn and cook for 3 to 4 minutes more, or until the snapper is just opaque.

　　

Step 3

Transfer the snapper to individual plates. Stir the basil into the melted butter mixture and spoon over the snapper to serve.

　　

a bit more, y’all

Step 4

We’re serious. We would probably eat anything you spread this butter sauce on. We especially love it drizzled on mashed potatoes, toasted French bread, steamed broccoli florets, grilled chicken breasts, and pork chops. Mmmmm.

　　[The Deen Bros. Take It Easy](http://astore.amazon.com/epistore-20/detail/0345513266) by Jamie Deen, Bobby Deen, and Melissa Clark. Copyright © 2009 Jamie Deen, Bobby Deen, and Melissa Clark. Published by Random House Publishing Group. All Rights Reserved.Jamie and Bobby Deen grew up in Georgia—first in Albany and then in Savannah—and, like many Southerners, they have always considered cooking and food a big part of their lives. When their mother, Paula Deen, started a sandwich delivery business in 1989, the boys took charge of deliveries. As the business grew into The Lady restaurant, they continued to help. Then, in 1996, the trio opened The Lady & Sons Restaurant to resounding success. They haven't looked back since. They regularly appear on ABC's Good Morning America and had their own Food Network show, Road Tasted.Melissa Clark has written for The New York Times, Food & Wine, Travel & Leisure, and Real Simple and has collaborated on twenty-one books.