It’s in the Bag

July 22, 2010
Denise Smith

Pocket

I don’t know if it’s because there is more local fish available at this time, or because I prefer to eat a lighter meal during the summer months, but for whatever reason I tend to cook more fish now than any other time of the year.

If I am cooking a fish that is light in texture (or falls apart easily), I prefer to take the safe route and pan fry it. When cooking a firmer fish, I tend to switch back and forth between baking and broiling, depending on the sauce or side dish. The biggest challenge I have when cooking any type of fish is preventing it from falling apart.

While strolling through the aisles of my local grocery store last week, I came across the perfect solution—PaperChef’s Parchment Paper Cooking Bags. As an avid baker, I am quite familiar with the advantages of using parchment paper. I guess I could cut and fold the rolled paper to make my own bags, but why would I? Culinary parchment cooking bags make cooking fish (or vegetables) so much easier.

Some of the advantages to using parchment paper cooking bags include:

• Quick and easy clean-up
• Healthier alternative to cooking with oil
• Oven safe to 425 degrees F
• Non-stick properties
• Made from renewable, sustainable sources
• 100% biodegradable and compostable

Here is a simple recipe for cooking fish in parchment paper cooking bags.

Fish & Summer Vegetable Pockets

You’ll Need

• 4 halibut or tilapia fish fillets, 6 oz each
• ½ cup yellow or green zucchini, sliced
• 1 cup green or yellow beans
• 1 red pepper, sliced thinly
• 1 sweet onion, sliced
• Olive oil
• Juice from one lemon
• Fresh thyme
• Salt and pepper

Prep and Cook

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
2. Place fish fillets on a single layer inside a cooking bag (link) and place on a baking sheet.
3. Combine vegetables, olive oil, lemon, thyme, salt and pepper and place inside cooking bag with fish.
4. Fold over the end of the bag twice and bake for 15 to 20 minutes (bag will puff up).
5. Be careful when opening the bag to avoid being burned by the steam.

PaperChef Culinary Parchment products are available at specialty cooking stores and in Loblaws stores across Canada.

What will you be cooking in your cooking bag?