Cooking for the Family – Scott Woolley’s Fish in Parchment

19 May Cooking for the Family – Scott Woolley’s Fish in Parchment

Recipe: Fish in Parchment (from Cooking for the Family by Scott Woolley)

Scott Woolley’s Cooking for the Family offers a range of easy-to-follow, flavorful dishes designed for home cooks who want to create memorable meals for their loved ones. One standout recipe is his Fish in Parchment, a delightful dish that combines fresh fish with vibrant vegetables and a fragrant mix of lemon, capers, and butter. It’s a simple yet impressive recipe that’s sure to please anyone at the dinner table.

Steps Breakdown:

1. Preheating the Oven: Woolley begins by instructing the cook to preheat the oven to 400°F. This is a great temperature for cooking the fish quickly while maintaining its moisture, creating a perfectly cooked, flaky texture.
2. Preparing the Parchment: The use of parchment paper is central to this dish, ensuring that each fillet is gently steamed with its flavorful toppings inside the sealed packet. A 17-inch square piece of parchment is used for each fillet, which is a nice touch, allowing ample space for all the ingredients to meld together.
3. Layering the Ingredients: For each fish fillet, Woolley suggests laying it in the center of the parchment and then layering on the toppings. Red onion, cherry tomatoes, and capers provide a tangy, zesty punch that complements the mild fish. The capers add a subtle briny flavor, which balances beautifully with the sweetness of the tomatoes.
4. Seasoning and Adding Fat: A simple seasoning of salt and freshly ground black pepper elevates the flavor of the fish. Woolley also drizzles olive oil over the fillets for added richness and moisture, ensuring the fish doesn’t dry out while baking.
5. The Lemon Touch: A squeeze of fresh lemon juice over the fish adds brightness, and placing lemon slices on top brings even more citrusy flavor into the mix. The lemon slices also contribute to the aromatic appeal of the dish.
6. The Butter Factor: Eight tablespoons of butter go onto each fillet, which melts as it bakes, infusing the fish with a rich, silky texture. The combination of butter and olive oil is a win for anyone who loves indulgent yet simple meals.
7. Sealing the Packets: The key to this recipe is in the technique of folding the parchment paper into a sealed packet. Woolley’s instruction to double-fold the top and sides ensures that the ingredients cook in their own steam, making the fish tender and flavorful. Using a toothpick to secure the packet is a clever little touch, ensuring everything stays sealed.
8. Baking: Baking the packets at 400°F for 15-20 minutes ensures the fish cooks perfectly. Woolley suggests checking the temperature to ensure the fish reaches 140°F to 145°F, which is the ideal range for flaky, moist fish.
9. Finishing Touches: After baking, each packet is opened, and the fish is topped with torn fresh basil, which adds a fresh, herbal flavor. It’s a simple yet elegant finish that enhances the overall dish.

Final Thoughts:

This recipe is an excellent example of how Scott Woolley’s cookbook embraces simple, fresh ingredients to create easy, family-friendly meals. The Fish in Parchment is light, healthy, and packed with flavor. The combination of fresh fish, capers, onions, and tomatoes wrapped in parchment paper creates a dish that’s as visually appealing as it is delicious. Woolley’s approach makes this a perfect weeknight meal or a light weekend dinner.

The hands-off nature of this recipe—allowing the fish to bake undisturbed in its packet—is especially appealing for busy home cooks. The flavor-packed components meld together beautifully, resulting in a dish that feels fancy yet requires minimal effort. Whether you’re new to cooking or a seasoned home chef, Scott Woolley’s Fish in Parchment is a must-try that will undoubtedly become a family favorite.

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