Salmon Fillets en Papillote

17/11/2023

Preparing salmon fillets en papillote is an excellent cooking method to keep the fish tender and juicy, enriching it with delicate aromas. Here is the recipe and how to proceed:

Ingredients

4 salmon fillets (about 150-200 g each)
Salt and pepper to taste
Juice of 1 lemon
1 lemon, sliced
2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
Fresh aromatic herbs to taste (for example, dill, parsley, thyme)
1 clove of garlic (optional)
Vegetables to taste (for example, asparagus, zucchini, cherry tomatoes)

Preparation

Preheat the oven to 200 °C (392 °F).
Tear off four large pieces of parchment paper or foil, big enough to completely wrap each salmon fillet.
In a bowl, season the salmon fillets with salt, pepper, lemon juice, and extra virgin olive oil. Let them rest for a few minutes.
On parchment paper, arrange a bed of sliced or thinly sliced vegetables, if you’ve chosen to include vegetables.
Place each salmon fillet on top of the bed of vegetables. If you like, add a crushed garlic clove to each fillet for an extra touch of flavor.
Add a few slices of lemon on top of the salmon and sprinkle with fresh aromatic herbs.
Close the parchment creating a tight seal by folding the edges of the paper or foil, so as to create an airtight seal that keeps the steam in during cooking. The steam will help to cook the salmon gently and keep it moist.
Place the packets on a baking sheet and bake for about 15-20 minutes, depending on the thickness of the fillets.
Check the doneness of the salmon being careful when opening a packet, as the formed steam will be very hot.
Serve the salmon fillets directly in the opened packet or transfer them to plates, taking care not to break the skin.

Curiosity

The “en papillote” method is an excellent cooking technique for preserving the flavor and nutritional properties of food, since all juices and aromas remain trapped inside the packet during cooking. Additionally, this method minimizes the use of added fats, making it a healthy choice.

Enjoy your meal!