Fish en Papillote – Easy, Elegant and Nutritious, Too

by The American Institute for Cancer Research

En papillote refers to food baked inside a parchment paper wrapping. As the food cooks, the parchment paper puffs and browns, steaming the food inside. Traditionally, French chefs serve each packet individually, allowing guests to unwrap their meals themselves.

This method is ideal for cooking fish as it retains moisture and infuses the meat with the rich flavors from a few simple ingredients. In this recipe, a delicious sauce emerges from the lemon juice, olive tapenade and wine that fill each parchment packet. If looking for a non-alcoholic substitute for the wine, try using chicken broth or white grape juice.

White fish is best to use because of its delicate flavor. Most varieties are similar enough in taste and texture that you can easily substitute cod for flounder or halibut for rockfish. White fish are typically low in calories and fat and rich in high-quality protein.

The olive spread, or tapenade, featured here also has French roots. The condiment hails from the Provence region and is traditionally a mixture of black olives, capers, anchovies and olive oil. Commercial tapenade is available in many grocery stores and is a wonderful dip for raw vegetables or whole wheat crackers. Although relatively high in fat, olives provide heart-healthy monounsaturated fat that promotes cardiovascular health. This dish goes nicely with brown rice and a green vegetable or salad.

White Fish en Papillote - Makes 4 servings.

Parchment cooking paper
Non-stick cooking spray
4, 3-oz. white fish fillets (such as cod, flounder, halibut, rockfish)
4 Tbsp. commercial tapenade, or see recipe below
Juice of 2 medium lemons (about 4 Tbsp.)
¼ cup white wine (not too sweet, such as Pinot Grigio), or may substitute with an
equal amount of chicken broth or white grape juice
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Prepare four 8” x 10” pieces of parchment paper by spraying with non-stick cooking spray. Place one fish fillet in the middle of each piece of parchment paper. Spread 1 Tbsp. of tapenade on each fillet. Top each with 1 Tbsp. of lemon juice and 1 Tbsp. white wine (or non-alcoholic substitute).

Form a packet around each fillet by folding over the sides of the parchment paper, forming a tight seal.

Place the packets on a baking sheet in the preheated oven for 10 to 15 minutes for thinner fish, a little longer for thicker fillets. You can test doneness by opening one packet. When the fillet has turned opaque, it is done.

Homemade Tapenade

2 cups black olives, preferably oil cured, pitted
3 anchovies, rinsed and patted dry (optional)
3 Tbsp. drained capers
3 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
2 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice
2 cloves garlic, coarsely chopped
2 tsp. fresh thyme leaves (or 1 tsp. dried)
Salt and ground black pepper, to taste
Combine all ingredients in a food processor. Pulse until the mixture is still coarse, but has a uniform consistency. Makes about 2 ¾ cups of tapenade.

Per serving (with homemade tapenade): 130 calories, 3 g total fat (0 g saturated fat), 3 g carbohydrate, 19 g protein, 0 g dietary fiber, 65 mg sodium.