Snapper en Papillote
The ultimate 'I'm too tired to do dishes' meal. It cooks in its own pouch and tastes like a fancy bistro.
When the day feels long and the last thing you want to do is scrub a heavy skillet, Fish en Papillote is your best friend. This classic French technique wraps the snapper in parchment paper along with aromatics and butter, steaming it perfectly in its own juices. It creates a gorgeous, buttery texture that makes the fish melt in your mouth while keeping the cleanup virtually non-existent. You won't have to worry about overcooking the delicate fillets because the pouch protects them from the direct heat of the oven. Just pop them in, set a timer, and take five minutes for yourself while they bake. The smell of lemon and herbs wafting out when you open the paper is pure magic.
Ingredients
- 2 unit snapper fillets — approx. 6 oz each
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter — softened
- 1 tsp garlic — minced
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp salt — to taste
- 0.5 tsp black pepper
- 1 unit lemon — thinly sliced
- 2 unit small handful of asparagus — trimmed and tossed in olive oil
Method
- 1 Preheat your oven to 400°F.
- 2 Cut two large pieces of parchment paper (about 12x12 inches). Place each piece on a baking sheet.
- 3 In the center of each sheet, lay down the asparagus and place one snapper fillet on top.
- 4 In a small bowl, mix the softened butter, minced garlic, thyme, salt, and pepper. Spread this mixture evenly over each fish fillet.
- 5 Top each piece of fish with 2-3 lemon slices.
- 6 Fold the sides of the parchment paper over the ingredients and crimp the edges tightly to create a sealed pouch (like a bundle).
- 7 Place the baking sheets in the oven and roast for 10-12 minutes, or until the fish is opaque and flakes easily with a fork.
- 8 Carefully remove from the oven. Let sit for 2 minutes before opening the pouches to pour the juices over the fish.
Variations
- Herb-Heavy Version — Swap the thyme for a pinch of rosemary and a teaspoon of chopped parsley for a more rustic flavor.
- Quick Veggie Swap — Replace asparagus with thin slices of zucchini or baby spinach tossed in oil.
Notes
If you can't find snapper, any firm white fish like cod or halibut works beautifully in this parchment method.
Equipment that helps
- Baking Sheet — Allows multiple pouches to cook at once without crowding the oven.
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