Jessie Sincioco's Fish Cordon Bleu

Preheat oven to 325ºF.

Slice fish fillets lengthwise, without cutting all the way through. Season with salt, pepper, and paprika, then spread 1/2 tablespoon of pesto in the middle of each fish.

On each piece, lay a slice of cheese, followed by cooked ham, and topped with another slice of cheese. Cover with the top part of the fish, tucking it in on the side to cover the filling.

Make the sauce: Caramelize shallots in a saucepan. Deglaze with white wine then season. Let cool until just warm enough to melt butter. Add the butter and mix until fully melted and sauce is uniform in texture.

Coat the fish with flour, dip in beaten egg then roll until fully coated with breadcrumbs.

Pan-fry in clarified butter then bake in preheated oven for 15 to 20 minutes. Serve warm with sauce and salad and fries on the side, if desired.