Use any type of white fish for this classic preparation with clean, bright flavors. Smarts: Cooking fish "en papillote" (in parchment paper) helps it to stay succulent and absorb the flavors of the other ingredients it's cooked with.
Fish, any white fish like tilapia, hake, flounder or halibut
- 1 lb
Parchment paper
- 4 pieces
(sub foil)
Butter
- 2 Tbsp
Quinoa:
Quinoa, uncooked
- 3/4 cup
Stock, any type
- 1 1/2 cups
Fennel and Tomato Saute:
Garlic
- 2 cloves
, chopped
Fennel
- 1 bulb
, sliced
Oil, olive
- 1 Tbsp
Tomatoes, diced and preferably fire-roasted (14 oz / 397 g)
- 1 can
Prep
Garlic (for fish and saute) / Fennel - Prep as directed. Store separately. (Can be done up to 5 days ahead)
Cook quinoa - Combine quinoa with stock in a saucepan. Add some salt. Bring to a boil covered. Lower heat, keep covered, and cook until liquid is absorbed, 8 to 10 minutes. (Can be done up to 5 days ahead)
Lemons / Capers - Prep as directed.
Fish - Slice fish into desired number of serving sizes. Rinse and pat dry. Season with some salt and pepper.
Prepare fish en papillote - If prepping right before cooking, get oven heating before continuing. Tear out 1 sheet of parchment paper per serving (so for 4 servings, use 4 sheets) or foil, about 18" (45 cm) wide. For parchment paper, stack, fold in half, and then cut into angular heart shapes (diagram below or see video). If you’re using foil, there’s no need to do this. Place each fish fillet onto one half of each piece of parchment or foil. Top fish with butter, garlic (portion for fish), capers and lemon slices. Fold parchment or foil over to enclose fish. Crimp the edge of the foil or fold edges of parchment to seal. Place fish en papillote in a single layer on a sheet pan.
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Bake fish en papillote in the oven until it flakes easily with a fork (you can peel one packet open to test), 10 to 15 minutes, depending on thickness.
While fish bakes, heat a saute pan with olive oil over medium heat. Add fennel with a pinch of salt. Saute until fennel is very tender and golden brown, 5 to 6 minutes. Add garlic (portion for saute) and tomatoes (including liquid). Bring to a simmer. Simmer until liquid has reduced, 4 to 5 minutes more. Season with some salt and pepper.
If quinoa was made ahead, reheat in the microwave.
Serve fish in the packets used for cooking (that way you won’t lose any of the delicious lemon butter sauce). Enjoy quinoa with fennel and tomato saute spooned over top. Enjoy!