parchment paper

Cooking en papillote (French for "in parchment") is a method of hand-sealing protein and vegetables in parchment paper, then oven-roasting them. While liquids aren't typically added to the pouch, ingredients seep out their own liquid and effectively steam in their own juices, resulting in a healthy meal that's bound to be filled with both moisture and flavor. In addition, other flavoring agents, like herbs and aromatics, get enveloped in the same steam-filled vessel, amping up the delicious factor.

To create a parchment paper pouch, arrange your ingredients on one half of a large piece of parchment (this method works with aluminum foil, too). Fold the other half on top of your ingredients. Fold up the open edges of the packet in pleats, working from one end to the other. Don't worry too much about how the package looks, as long as it's tightly sealed. When you open your parchment-wrapped meal, you'll find a moist, flavorful, and perfectly cooked meal ready to be plated.

Even though it is most commonly associated with fish and vegetables, other quick-cooking proteins like chicken breast can be cooked the same way. What do you like to cook in parchment?

As someone who is constantly cleaning her kitchen, I really appreciate meals that require minimal cleanup or don't use a lot of dishes. One-pot meals are a great option, but even that leaves me with a dish to clean up. That's where parchment paper becomes my best friend. Cooking in parchment paper, or en papillote, is a simple, fast, and healthy technique. It works particularly well with mild white fish like cod.


I don't really have much experience cooking with fish, but I figured it'd be hard to go wrong with ingredients like Spring onion, asparagus, basil, ginger, garlic, and soy sauce. This Spring meal is so easily put together by preparing the vegetables and layering everything on a sheet of parchment paper.


For this incredibly simple recipe, keep reading.

The next time you host a dinner party, why not make a simple and elegant fish en papillote? It's easy to assemble the fish and vegetable packets ahead of time, and while guests are nibbling appetizers, you can pop them in the oven. It's virtually a no-hassle meal that's healthy, and if using seasonal vegetables like asparagus, affordable. It's also fun for everyone to open their own packet at the table. The best thing, however, is the cleanup. All you have to do is toss the parchment paper in the garbage and the dishes in the dishwasher. Seriously, you'll feel like the dinner party threw itself! Want the recipe? Read on.

• The secret to homemade pizza is a cast-iron skillet. — The Atlantic
• Ten tips for reducing food waste— Always Order Dessert
• Learn the difference between parchment paper and wax paper. — Chow
• What snacks do you sneak into movie theaters?. — The Epi-Log
• Is London the most important restaurant city in the world? — Grub Street NY
• An inside look at Burger King's new BK Whopper Bar. — Eater Miami
• How much do you know about vegan substitutes? — Serious Eats

Anytime I bake a recipe that requires the rolling of dough (pizza, pie, cracker, etc.), I get a little scared. What can I say? Dough is intimidating. That's why, whenever I can make it easier on myself, I do! Many recipes will have you place the rolled, ready-to-be-baked dough on parchment paper. When this happens, I recommend rolling the dough out directly on the parchment paper. None of the dough gets stuck to the kitchen counter. To move the rolled dough to the pan, you simply lift the entire thing, parchment paper included.

Do you have a trick for dealing with dough? Please share it with us below!