Why you should try … cooking en papillote
To cook “en papillote”. Sounds fancy and complicated right? However, this French cooking method could not be any simpler. En Papillote literally means “in paper” and refers to a moist-heat cooking method where the food is enclosed in a parcel of baking paper or foil and then cooked in the oven. It’s a versatile method of cooking that lends itself to delicate foods such as fish or chicken breast, however more robust vegetables such as potatoes also cook well using this steaming method
Using this method of cooking can be healthier, as you are cooking with steam rather than oil, and vegetables, meat and fish often come out more tender and juicy than if they were grilled or fried.
Want to give it a try? Here’s how to cook en papillote :
- Fold a sheet of baking paper in half and crease.
- Then cut folded baking paper into a half heart shape.
- Open the paper and you will have a full heart shape. Place food on one side of the crease and fold the empty half over the ingredients to enclose them.
- Working around the heart shape, fold edges to create a seal.
- When you reach the last fold, twist the baking paper several times to make a tight seal and fold it under the parcel.
- Place the parcel on a baking tray ready to cook in the oven. Cooking times will vary depending on your ingredients.
