If you have never tried cooking in parchment packets, also known as papillotes, you have to give it a try. The food retains its moistness and the natural sugars in the food are enhanced by the steam cooking that takes place within the pouch. They are fun, too. During cooking, the packets puff up like little pillows. Diners do not know what is inside until they open the packets, releasing a waft of delicious aroma.
Parchment paper is the traditional material used for this style of cooking, but you can also use brown paper lunch bags if you do not want to learn the simple folding required. To use parchment, fold a large sheet in half. Cut it along the fold, making a large heart, just like on Valentine's Day. Repeat this as many times as needed to feed each person at your dinner. Open the heart. Place the food in the center of one side of the heart. Add your seasonings and top with any sauces or marinades you may be using. Lemon slices add a nice flavor, too. Seal the packets by folding the other half of the parchment over the food. Beginning at the blunt end, make a small, sharp fold toward the food. Continue making small folds along the edge, refolding the last tuck upon itself many times to make a good seal. Fold it beneath the packet. Move the packets to a baking sheet and follow your recipe for baking time.
Healthy Benefits
Besides the obvious benefits of easy clean up and the fun of opening up your meal like a present, cooking in parchment packets is also healthy for you. The steaming of the food in the packets is a low fat way to cook. You do not need to add a lot of oil or butter to cook your food. It is also a wonderful way to deal with delicate foods like sole and flounder.
If you are not sure where to look for parchment, check the aisle with the waxed paper and aluminum foil. If your store does not stock any, foil will work the same way in a pinch.
Packet Ideas
Parchment packets are so versatile you can cook just about anything in them. Fish works well, and chicken and pork also does well. Almost an entire meal can be prepared in a packet. Just use layers for your meat, sauce, and vegetables to get a wonderful entre. Pasta can even be cooked to perfection!
Tasty meals like sole, vegetables or perch turn out well in parchment. You can even use some easy chicken parmesan recipes to get a tender, flavorful meal. Try some fun combinations like ramen noodles and vegetables or sausage, potatoes and corn for a comforting change of pace.
Preparation is the key to baking in parchment. Make sure your aromatic vegetables are sliced thinly. Some vegetables that work well include carrots, celery, shallots, mushrooms, and zucchini. Add some herbs.
Use a baking sheet to hold your packets and bake in a 400-degree oven for about ten minutes. Dinner will be ready in a flash!
Parchment paper is the traditional material used for this style of cooking, but you can also use brown paper lunch bags if you do not want to learn the simple folding required. To use parchment, fold a large sheet in half. Cut it along the fold, making a large heart, just like on Valentine's Day. Repeat this as many times as needed to feed each person at your dinner. Open the heart. Place the food in the center of one side of the heart. Add your seasonings and top with any sauces or marinades you may be using. Lemon slices add a nice flavor, too. Seal the packets by folding the other half of the parchment over the food. Beginning at the blunt end, make a small, sharp fold toward the food. Continue making small folds along the edge, refolding the last tuck upon itself many times to make a good seal. Fold it beneath the packet. Move the packets to a baking sheet and follow your recipe for baking time.
Healthy Benefits
Besides the obvious benefits of easy clean up and the fun of opening up your meal like a present, cooking in parchment packets is also healthy for you. The steaming of the food in the packets is a low fat way to cook. You do not need to add a lot of oil or butter to cook your food. It is also a wonderful way to deal with delicate foods like sole and flounder.
If you are not sure where to look for parchment, check the aisle with the waxed paper and aluminum foil. If your store does not stock any, foil will work the same way in a pinch.
Packet Ideas
Parchment packets are so versatile you can cook just about anything in them. Fish works well, and chicken and pork also does well. Almost an entire meal can be prepared in a packet. Just use layers for your meat, sauce, and vegetables to get a wonderful entre. Pasta can even be cooked to perfection!
Tasty meals like sole, vegetables or perch turn out well in parchment. You can even use some easy chicken parmesan recipes to get a tender, flavorful meal. Try some fun combinations like ramen noodles and vegetables or sausage, potatoes and corn for a comforting change of pace.
Preparation is the key to baking in parchment. Make sure your aromatic vegetables are sliced thinly. Some vegetables that work well include carrots, celery, shallots, mushrooms, and zucchini. Add some herbs.
Use a baking sheet to hold your packets and bake in a 400-degree oven for about ten minutes. Dinner will be ready in a flash!
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