Fish steamed in parchment paper , “en papillote” is a simple and elegant way to prepare fish. Use a variety of vegetables. Replace zucchini withtender asparagus, thinly sliced carrots, baby spinach leaves, arugula, delicate foraged dandelion greens or other favorite leafy greens.
Add in a few sliced baby tomato or some chopped olives for a mediterranean flare! Serve this as is or with a side of your favorite cooked grains or a fresh salad.
Lemon Herb Fish en Papillote
En papillote is the French term for "in paper". Fish is delicately steamed with aromatic herbs, lemon
and vegetables in parchment paper wraps. The result is a light and delicious dish , elegant and simple to make.
Ingredients
- 6 oz mild white fish; trout, cod, sole, halibut, sole or flounder salmon filets would also work
- 1 cup zucchini, thinnly sliced
- 1 clove garlic, pressed
- 1 each scallion, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- freshly ground pepper
- 1 tablespoon fresh herbs, minced parsley, chives tarragon or a sprig of fresh thyme
- 1 each slice, fresh lemon, cut in 1/2
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or substitute for sweet butter
- 2 tablespoons white wine, fish stock or water
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 375 degrees
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Cut off a 12-14" pieces of parchment paper. Fold parchment in 1/2 and use scissors to shape cut edges into a 1/2 moon. Unfold paper & you will have a circle.
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Place zuchinni, garlic and scallions in center of circle. Place fish on top of vegetables. Season fish with salt and pepper. Place sliced lemon on top of fish, sprinkle with herbs of choice and drizzle with olive oil,. Drizzle white wine over the top.
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Fold parchment circle in 1/2 to cover fish and vegetables to make a 1/2 circle or moon shape. Starting at one side of cut edges fold small sections of paper over and press down firmly. Continuing folding, overlapping pieces all around the open edge of the packet. Fold and crimp tightly to prevent steam from escaping while cooking.
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Fish packets can be made several hours in advance and stored in the refrigerator until you are ready to cook. When ready to cook place parchement wrapped fish in a singlle layer on sheet pan. Bake in preheated oven for 12-15 minutes. Time will vary slightly depending on how thick the fish is.
Serve as is and cut open carefully with a pair of scissors at the table. Ohh dosen't that smell good? Enjoy