Description
Delightful fish en papillote combines delicate seafood with aromatic herbs and vegetables, steam-baked in parchment paper. Mediterranean flavors shine through this elegant French technique, offering a light and healthy meal you can master with simple ingredients.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 fillets white fish (cod, halibut, or tilapia), 6 oz (170 g) each
- 4 tbsps olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups (200 g) thinly sliced vegetables (zucchini, bell peppers, carrots, or asparagus)
- 1 lemon, thinly sliced
- 4 sprigs fresh herbs (dill, thyme, or parsley)
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 4 sheets parchment paper (15x15 inches each)
Instructions
- Preparation: Preheat the oven to 400°F and prepare heart-shaped parchment paper parcels, creating an optimal cooking environment for delicate fish.
- Herb Foundation: Create an aromatic base by layering dill, thyme, and other fresh herbs in the center of each parchment paper, ensuring a fragrant cooking surface.
- Fish Placement: Carefully position the fish fillet atop the herb bed, then artfully arrange lemon slices, shallots, and minced garlic to distribute robust flavors and enhance the dish’s complexity.
- Moisture and Seasoning: Generously drizzle olive oil and white wine over the fish, ensuring complete coverage and promoting a steamy, flavor-intense cooking process.
- Sealing and Baking: Meticulously fold and crimp the parchment paper edges to create an airtight seal, then transfer the parcels to a baking sheet and bake for 12-15 minutes, allowing the fish to steam and absorb the surrounding aromatics.
- Serving: Remove the parcels from the oven and let rest for 2-3 minutes, then dramatically present each individually, releasing the fragrant steam and creating an elegant dining experience.
Notes
- Prevent Fish Dryness: Select fresh, high-quality fish fillets with consistent thickness to ensure even cooking and retain moisture throughout the preparation.
- Control Steam Precision: Avoid overfilling the parchment packets, leaving sufficient space for steam circulation and preventing potential soggy texture.
- Elevate Flavor Complexity: Experiment with alternative herb combinations like tarragon, basil, or parsley to create unique aromatic profiles while maintaining the dish’s delicate essence.
- Customize Dietary Requirements: Substitute olive oil with coconut oil for dairy-free diets, and use gluten-free white wine to accommodate various nutritional preferences without compromising the recipe’s fundamental technique.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg