Sunday, June 5, 2016

Fiona’s Phenomenal Fish Packets

Fiona's Phenomenal Fish Packets by Michelle Tam http://nomnompaleo.com

Sometimes, when you’ve got a good thing, you just have to show your gratitude for it. That’s how I feel about my chef sister Fiona’s zingy, herby green marinade—a recipe I originally shared here years ago. It’s a downright magical marinade that transforms chicken, pork, shrimp, and veggies into umami-packed meals in a jiffy.

I recently shared how to make Fiona’s phenomenal green marinade on Facebook Live, and I also demonstrated how to freeze extra marinade in these nifty silicone ice cube molds. That way, you can pop out a portioned cube of marinade anytime you’re making a desperation meal—something that happens in our house more often than I care to admit.

Recently, I’ve been using Fiona’s marinade to flavor fish and veggie parchment packets. In 30 minutes flat, this herby, healthy dinner’s on the table, and I’m looking like a kitchen hero.

Fiona's Phenomenal Fish Packets by Michelle Tam http://nomnompaleo.com

Want to make some together?

Serves 4

Ingredients

Green Marinade

  • 1 medium sweet onion, peeled and coarsely chopped (about 1 cup)
  • 1¼ cups packed basil leaves
  • 1 cup packed cilantro leaves and stems (substitute Italian parsley if you hate cilantro)
  • ¼ cup packed mint leaves
  • ¼ cup Red Boat fish sauce
  • 3 peeled garlic cloves
  • zest from 1 lime
  • ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon of Aleppo pepper (or red pepper flakes)
  • 2 tablespoons apple juice (or 1 teaspoon maple syrup if you’re not on a Whole30)

Fish Packets

  • 2 medium carrots, peeled and ends trimmed
  • 2 medium zucchini, ends trimmed
  • Kosher salt
  • 4 (6-ounce) white fish fillets (skinless & boneless), about ¾-inch thick 
  • ¼ cup phenomenal green marinade (see above)
  • 2 limes
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • 12 cherry tomatoes, halved 
  • Fresh cilantro sprigs (optional)

Equipment

Method

If you don’t have any leftover green marinade in the freezer, blitz up a batch! Throw all the ingredients for the marinade in a high speed blender and purée until you get a smooth, bright-green marinade. Reserve ¼ cup for this recipe, and freeze the rest in a silicone ice cube tray. The future version of you will thank you later.

Preheat the oven to 450°F with the rack in the middle. Use a spiralizer, julienne peeler, or your fancy knife skills to cut the zucchini and carrots into thin spirals or matchsticks. Toss the vegetables in a bowl with a little salt—but not too much ’cause the marinade’s well-seasoned.

Fiona's Phenomenal Fish Packets by Michelle Tam http://nomnompaleo.com

Grab 4 large sheets of parchment paper, and fold each piece in half. Draw half a heart on each piece of paper so that when you cut them out… 

Fiona's Phenomenal Fish Packets by Michelle Tam http://nomnompaleo.com

…you get full hearts. 

Fiona's Phenomenal Fish Packets by Michelle Tam http://nomnompaleo.com

(Okay, that one looks more like an upside-down butt. But you get the general idea.)

Open up the parchment pieces and lay them flat. Spread ¼ of the seasoned veggies on one side of the crease in each heart.

Fiona's Phenomenal Fish Packets by Michelle Tam http://nomnompaleo.com

Place a fish fillet on top of the veggies. 

Fiona's Phenomenal Fish Packets by Michelle Tam http://nomnompaleo.com

Spread a tablespoon of the green sauce on the filet.  Squeeze half a lime on the fish and drizzle with ½ tablespoon of olive oil. Repeat with all 3 packets.

Fiona's Phenomenal Fish Packets by Michelle Tam http://nomnompaleo.com

Fold the other half of each parchment heart on top of the fish and tightly crimp the edges together, starting at the top-center of the heart.

Fiona's Phenomenal Fish Packets by Michelle Tam http://nomnompaleo.com

Make sure each packet is tightly sealed by turning and crimping the edges. At the pointed bottom end of the hearts, twist the paper to seal well.

Fiona's Phenomenal Fish Packets by Michelle Tam http://nomnompaleo.com

Place the packets on a rimmed baking sheet. Cook in the oven for 7-10 minutes or until the fish is cooked to your desired doneness. If your fillets are thicker, they’ll take longer to cook.

Fiona's Phenomenal Fish Packets by Michelle Tam http://nomnompaleo.com

If you’re not sure about whether the fish is cooked through, stab the packet with a meat thermometer to know for certain. My kiddos like the fish to be flaky and opaque so I aim for a finished cooking temp of 135°F-140°F.

Fiona's Phenomenal Fish Packets by Michelle Tam http://nomnompaleo.com

Use a pair of kitchen shears to cut open the packet as soon as they’re done cooking (but be careful—the escaping steam is hot!). 

Fiona's Phenomenal Fish Packets by Michelle Tam http://nomnompaleo.com

Toss a few of the cut cherry tomatoes and optional cilantro garnish on the cooked fish, and serve.

Fiona's Phenomenal Fish Packets by Michelle Tam http://nomnompaleo.com

If you’re crazy for parchment fish packets, make my Fish en Papillote (in Parchment) with Citrus, Ginger, & Shiitake!


Looking for more recipes? Head on over to my Recipe Index! You’ll also find exclusive recipes on my Webby Award-Winning iPhone® and iPad® app, and in my New York Times-bestselling cookbook, Nom Nom Paleo: Food for Humans (Andrews McMeel 2013).


from Tumblr http://vincentpennington.tumblr.com/post/145479530339

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