Fish en Papillote (parchment) with Lemon and Herbs
Classic Recipes, Healthy Choices, Main Dish, Seafood
Level: Easy Cook Time: 10 min Yield: 2 servings
INGREDIENTS
For shallot butter
2 tablespoons butter, softened
1 shallot, finely chopped (about 1 tablespoon chopped)
1/2 teaspoon finely ground lemon zest
1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh dill
pinch of salt and black pepper, to taste
For assembly
2 6 oz filets of firm white fish such as cod or Halibut
1/2 fennel bulb, cored and thinly sliced
1 shallot, thinly sliced
1 lemon, sliced
handful mixed fresh herbs, such as tarragon, dill, and parsley
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 tablespoons white wine
salt and freshly ground black pepper
DIRECTIONS
For shallot butter, mash butter together with shallot, lemon, dill, salt and pepper until evenly incorporated. Shallot butter can be made ahead of time and stored in an airtight container or rolled up in plastic wrap for a few days until needed.
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Prepare a large piece of parchment paper, it should be large enough to fold over your piece of fish with a generous 3-4 inches around the edges. If cooking multiple pieces of fish, use a separate piece of parchment for each one. Place parchment on a sheet pan and fold in half, then unfold with one side laid flat on the pan.
Arrange fennel and shallot slices in a layer in the center of one side of the parchment. Lay fish on top of vegetables. Season with salt and pepper. Top with a few pats of shallot butter, slices of lemon, and sprigs of fresh herbs. If using a butterflied fish, place herbs inside of fish cavity.
Finally, drizzle with olive oil and a splash of white wine.
Fold over other half of parchment, then fold and pinch along edges to seal. You’ll end up with a semi-circle of parchment with crimped edges.
Bake for 1O minutes until cooked through (time noted for a 3/4-inch thick filet, adjust as necessary for thicker or thinner pieces of fish.
Remove from oven carefully cut open packet, avoiding escaping steam, and serve.
