En papillote, French for “in parchment,” is a simple, mess-free way of cooking that gives you the best possible flavor when making fish, lamb, or poultry. Make the most of the technique with these tips!
Wrapping ingredients inside parchment locks in moisture, creating aromatic, moist heat. This flavorful, wet heat cooks the meat thoroughly, giving it a juicy and butter-like texture.
Because all of the ingredients are locked inside the parchment, their flavors are bound to mingle. Adding fresh herbs, spices, and other ingredients inside the parchment wrapper allows the flavors to play off of each other and create a truly delectable dish.
Cooking en papillote requires little cooking and prep time. Simply chop, dice, or mince your veggies, layer them with the meat, and top with herbs—wrap it up, throw it in the oven, and voila! Dinner is served!
Once everything is cooked and enjoyed, clean-up is a breeze. Toss the used parchment and you’re done! It’s no wonder this traditional French cooking style has become so popular. Weeknight dinners have gotten faster, easier, and, most importantly, more delicious.
Fold a standard sheet of parchment paper in half. This will help you create an even
covering for your meal.
Starting about an inch from the top of the folded side, begin cutting the parchment paper into the shape of a heart.
Open the parchment paper and stack your ingredients inside. Rather than laying out all ingredients on a sheet pan, you'll encase them inside this parchment paper covering. Stack the ingredients on top of each other and seal carefully.
Starting from the top, create a series of folds, moving around the edges of the folded paper. This will lock in all moisture and create a perfect cooking pouch.
Lay the pouches on a sheet pan, place in the oven, and bake at 350 degrees F for 15-20 minutes, depending on your protein. The entire process only takes minutes, making this a great cooking option for beginners, busy parents, and foodies alike.
Get dinner on the table in a new, delicious way tonight!
