15 April 2010

fish en papillote

Sounds fancy. Looks fancy. Tastes fancy. So obviously it must be... super easy to make! If you google "fish en papillote recipe," you'll find tons of recipes, some more complex than others. I opted for something less complicated: halibut seasoned with lemon, garlic and thyme, over asparagus. It took me all of 5 minutes to prepare and 10 minutes to bake. Simplicity at its finest.

Fish en papillote (in parchment) was on my Hit List of foods to make in 2010, and I can call this one a success. It's a really light meal, a quick weeknight meal. Added bonuses: asparagus is in season, fish is good for you, and this used hardly any oil. The moisture from the fish, which is sealed in the parchment while baking, will steam and cook everything else which is why you don't need much oil. Healthy too! Heart.
Fish en Papillote

1 6oz fillet of halibut
1 clove garlic, minced
1 lemon
asparagus, cut down to the same size as the halibut
olive oil
fresh thyme (I used dried, fresh will be better)
salt and pepper to taste
Special equipment: parchment paper

Preheat oven to 400. Cut 1 large piece of parchment -- enough where you can fold it in half and there's plenty of room that the fish would fit. Cut out a big heart. (I actually cut mine a little small - another 2" would have been just right.)

Slice 1/2 of the lemon into thin slices and set aside. Zest the other half. Arrange the asparagus in the middle of one half of the parchment heart. Squeeze some of the lemon juice over it, sprinkle the zest, and salt it. Lay the fish on top of the asparagus, then generously season with salt, pepper, thyme, a half the garlic clove. Or a whole one if you love garlic. Drizzle a little olive oil over it. Arrange the lemon slices on top of the fish.

Fold the other half of the parchment heart over. Fold the edges of the heart over so it seals it in. (The beginning of this video shows you.) Place on a baking sheet, and bake for about 10 minutes.
Open. Eat. (Or if you want to be fancy, transfer to a plate and eat!)

5 comments:

  1. this looks so yummy! and the fact that you HAVE to make a heart just makes me love it even more. thanks i'm gonna make this tonight!

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  2. Haha so true about the heart! Enjoy :)

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  3. I love this with all my heart....

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  4. This looks great. I may have to try making this. :)

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