Tag Archives: en papillote

Halibut a la Provencal

Earlier this summer, I was excited to be featured in an article about Davidson College alumni making careers in the food industry for my school’s alumni magazine: the Davidson Journal.   As part of the article, titled “Main Courses,” they asked me to share a recipe that I thought alumni might enjoy.

I wanted to pick a recipe that was approachable, but also taught a technique that could easily be applied to other meals.  My two most frequent requests from clients seeking private cooking lessons is that they want to learn how  to cook fish and that they want to cook healthy, yet still delicious, food.  This recipe for Halibut a la Provencal is perfect on both counts.

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On Television: Maple-Soy Salmon en Papillote

For those who fell in love with the culinary technique of cooking en papillote after my recipe for chicken earlier this year, this recipe for maple-soy salmon is another en papillote recipe to add to your repertoire.   Taking just minutes to assemble, it’s quick and easy making it the perfect solution for a busy weeknight or a weekend dinner with friends.  Plus, it’s delicious.  My husband, a self-proclaimed hater of salmon, can’t eat it fast enough.

Today I had fun sharing this maple-soy salmon recipe with local Charlotteans on WCNC’s Charlotte Today television show.  You can check out the video here.  It’s worth a watch if you love the idea of en papillote, but need a visual demonstration to get you in the kitchen.  Enjoy!

Maple-Soy Salmon en Papillote - Printer Friendly Recipe
Serves 2

2 (5-6 ounce) salmon fillet, skin removed
2 green onions, trimmed and thinly sliced
1 ½ tablespoons maple syrup
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 large garlic clove, minced
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Special equipment: parchment paper, scissors

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees and place a rack in the top third of the oven.

Cut out two large rectangles of parchment paper (about 15 x 20-inches) and fold them in half.  Starting from the fold, trace the outline of half a heart with a pen (like you made a Valentine in school) on each folded piece of paper and then cut out the heart.

Unfold the hearts and place one salmon fillet on the right side of each parchment paper heart.

In a small bowl, whisk together the maple syrup and soy sauce.  Sprinkle each salmon fillet with the minced garlic and sliced green onions and then divide the maple-soy sauce between the two salmon; pouring the sauce over each one.

Fold one of the parchment paper hearts in half.  Starting at the top, begin folding the edges down to seal the heart.  Make sure each fold overlaps the next by folding the next edge over the previous one and creasing it firmly.  Continue moving along the outside of the heart until you have formed a package.  Place the package on a baking sheet and repeat with the remaining package.

Bake the parchment paper packages on a baking sheet in the top third of the oven for 12 to 15 minutes.  Remove from the oven and serve immediately.

Serve the fish in the parchment paper packet and have your guests cut it open at the table.  Or, cut open the envelope in the kitchen and slide the fillet and its toppings to a plate.

Chicken en Papillote

I have had several friends contact me recently with requests for Minced.  Some have suggested that I post on quick weeknight meals for the hurried professional.  Others, have asked that I offer some healthier options.  And one friend, living in Bolivia, asked for a recipe that utilized basic ingredients, but had some excitement to it.

While it is hard to imagine one dish fitting all of these requests, I will say that the cooking technique of en papillote may have something for everyone.  En papillote is a cooking technique that involves steaming foods inside a parchment paper envelope.  The technique became popular as a way of preparing Pompano  in high-end Florida restaurants. It became more mainstream as people realized the health benefits of cooking in this way.  Simply put, the envelope prevents the steam from escaping which means the food being cooked doesn’t lose any of its juices or flavor.  And it doesn’t need a lot of fat (if any) - although it can certainly be added for all your diehards out there!

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