Fish Fillet en Papillote

Well… we have come upon the end of the month my friends. I promised to share only healthier option recipes throughout January to help us all get a great start to 2011. However, because I believe very much in balance and moderation, today’s recipe will not be the last healthy option. I promise to provide a balance of old-fashioned companies-coming-to-dinner recipes with healthier choices for our everyday eating habits.

This recipe for Fish en Papillote is packed with nutrition and low in calories and fat. But… it is also a great meal for company since the presentation is so awesome! (Papillote simply means it’s in paper.)

I made this last week for Lysa TerKeurst and her family since things are a bit crazy around her house these days. I decided to use cod since Dr. Chilton mentioned that cod was a good option for omega 3s. He did say salmon was higher but I thought I would try the cod for something different. Well… I should have stuck with salmon. Not only is it a better source of the healthy omega 3s, it tastes so much better! Actually, the cod didn’t taste bad. It just didn’t have much flavor at all. Perhaps that’s a good thing for people who don’t really like fish

If you go with cod, use lots of seasoning. I used a sprinkle of cajun seasoning because I had some on my spice rack. You could use caribbean seasoning, jerk seasoning, lots of extra garlic… use whatever you like. If you go with halibut or salmon, you won’t need as much seasoning… unless you really want to give your taste buds a little party!

I typically make this with salmon, and I use two slices of lemon instead of the slice of orange I used here. I went with orange this time because I served this with a brown rice pilaf that I flavored with cranberries. Cranberry and orange is a classic taste combination so I thought it would work in this case. It did. I just wish I had added more flavor to the cod. Other than that, the entire meal was delicious and very filling.

Don’t look at this and think it’s too complicated. It really is very simple to make and you will wow your family and/or your dinner guests!

Fish Fillet en Papillote

Ingredients:

• 1 large leek, white part only
• 1 zuchinni
• 6 mushrooms, sliced
• 1/2 cup sugar snap peas
• 1 carrot, peeled
• 1 yellow pepper
• 6 fish fillets, halibut, salmon, cod (6-8 ounces each, any bones removed)
• spices of choice
• salt and pepper
• orange or lemon, cut into 6 slices
• fresh dill or thyme

Special equipment or supplies: Parchment Paper

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Cut six approximately 16-18 inch pieces of parchment paper. (You will need one piece for each fillet. It needs to be large enough to wrap up a fillet along with the veggies.)

Cut veggies into matchstick strips of uniform size. Arrange a pile of veggies in the center of each piece of parchment paper and place a fillet on top. Sprinkle with seasoning and salt and pepper. Place orange or lemon slices over fillet. Top with a sprig of fresh dill or thyme.

Gather up two sides of the parchment paper and bring to the top. Begin to fold down (just like you are wrapping a loaf of banana bread in foil). Once you have folded the parchment paper all the way to the fish, bring in the two sides and tuck under the packet. Place packets on a rimmed cookie sheet.

Place in oven and bake for 20 minutes. Remove and let sit for 5 minutes. Place entire packet on plate so each person can open their own “present.” Or, remove fish and veggies carefully from their packet and place in tact on dinner plates as I did here with my brown rice pilaf and roasted green beans. (The brown rice was so yummy that I’ll have to share it with you real soon.)

Please don’t be intimidated by this recipe. I promise you… it is very simple to make. Go ahead… give it a try. You will impress even yourself

Sweetest Blessings,
LeAnn