Cod en Papillote or Fish in Parchment

Cod en Papillote or fish baked in parchment paper, I use loin in this recipe and combine it with ginger, lime, garlic and chilli pepper.

This classic French technique results in the juiciest fish, and it is incredibly quick; prep takes 10 minutes and cooking just another 10-12, making it a great midweek dinner.

Fish en Papillote

I adore cooking with and eating fish, and cod or similar white fish is one of my favourites to cook and eat.

I have everything from bacon wrapped cod loin and cod pasta to beer battered cod tacos and Thai green cod curry to an Amritsari fish fry and blackened cod loin!

However, fish is often seen by many as being difficult to cook, often unfairly, but it is the rep!

Cooking this cod en papillote is arguably the simplest way to cook fish.

It is quick but relatively gentle, which means that the fish stays beautifully moist.

Baking it in the oven also means that you have pretty solid control over the temperature, which again adds a "safety net" against overcooking.

My version of this dish rocks some Asian inspired flavouring, garlic, ginger, lemongrass, and chilli do the heavy lifting. Then sesame oil, fish sauce, lime and rice wine vinegar provide the seasoning.

However, the fish has a really subtle flavour, so these are all designed to season and let the flavour of the cod shine through.

If you like gently cooked fish, be sure to check out my cod poached in coconut milk!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a different type of fish?

Yes absolutely! This recipe works really well with all big chunky white fish loins, pollock, hake or whiting, haddock and halibut all work really well.

You can even do this with whole fish; something like sea bass or trout is great. Although you will need to cook it for around 25 minutes.

Can I use skin on fish?

You can, but as a result of the cooking technique, the skin can be a bit too wet and slimy for some people.

However, it does help the fish hold together well, and you can remove it easily after cooking.

Can I add vegetables to the packet?

Yes, but make sure they are things that would cook quickly. Green beans, pak choi and tenderstem broccoli are particularly good.

Can I scale this up?

Yes, and the cooking time is not impacted by doing this.

However, I personally find making parcels with more than a couple of pieces of fish awkward. As a result, if I am cooking for more than two people, I simply make more parcels.

Can I use tin foil?

Yup, no problem at all, in fact, it makes sealing the parcel a little easier.

Serving Suggestions

This simple and healthy cod en papillote recipe is perfect served with a host of side dishes. It is pictured below, served with my sweet chilli noodles recipe, although it would be great with my sweet and sour noodles or soba noodle salad!

If noodles ain't your thing, then this is also great served with rice. The flavours are subtle, so you want rice with some flavour. Something like egg fried rice is perfect!

Adding stir-fried vegetables is also a great idea!

Something like stir-fried broccoli or asparagus stir fry works particularly well for a light, healthy meal.

If you want a mix of veggies, this mixed vegetable stir fry would be great!

Equipment Used

I usually do not recommend specific brands of equipment unless I think that it makes a material difference to a recipe. If you have any questions, feel free to ask in the comments section.

• Baking parchment.
• Kitchen knife.
• Cutting board.
• Oven.