Cooking Tips -- Cooking Fish in the Microwave Oven

RED SNAPPER WITH SEASONAL VEGETABLES

Cooking Fish in the Microwave Oven

en papillote -- Cooking with Parchment Paper

FISH RECIPES USING PARCHMENT PAPER

About Parchment Paper

Parchment paper is a silicone impregnated paper. The silicone renders it grease and moisture resistant as well as relatively heat-resistant. This makes parchment paper a nonstick paper that is ovenproof up to 450 degrees.

Parchment paper can be found in most well-stocked grocery stores, usually in the kitchenware section. It's sold in a roll like wax paper by companies such as Reynolds or Cuisinart.

Parchment paper cooking requires very little oil making it a very healthy way to cook. The parchment packets should be tightly sealed so cooking juices don't run out; seasonings are "steamed" inside the parchment paper packet, intensifying their flavors. The parchment paper packets can be served directly on the dinner plate which gives the cook an easy cleanup.

How to Use Parchment Paper

Parchment Paper is usually folded from a heart shaped piece. The uncooked food is place on one side. The other side is then folded over to produce a tightly sealed packet. We prefer a quick rectangular fold which is shown below.

For one papillote, cooking time is usually about 2 minutes in the microwave at full power. For 4 papillotes, cook 8 minutes at full power. Let stand 2 minutes before serving. Serve in the papillote.

NOTE: If you have never cooked fish in the microwave using parchment paper, it will probably take a few times to get things down and the times correct. A few tips: be sure to add a few tablespoons of liquid in the packet, either wine or stock or water; make sure to wait a minute or two before opening the packet.; and test out different vegetable thicknesses to see what works best with fish and your microwave. Once you get your veggie sizes and timing down you will find this method very quick, flavourful and fun to use.

Red Snapper with Seasonal Vegetables

		Slice the vegetables thin to allow similar cooking times. Place them over the fish with 2 tablespoons of white wine (or stock -- water can also be used).
		Fold paper in a rectangular fashion as shown.
		This can be done hours before and left in the refrigerator. Microwave for approximately 2 minutes/pouch on maximum.
		Let rest for 2 minutes. Then open package in plate. Drizzle a little extra virgin olive oil, add salt and pepper if needed...

Tilapia with Capers and Parsley Potatoes

Slice the potatoes thin to allow similar cooking times. Place them over the fish with 2 tablespoons of white wine (or stock -- water can also be used) and capers and a little olive oil.

Fold paper in a rectangular fashion as shown. This can be done hours before and left in the refrigerator.

Microwave for approximately 3 minutes/pouch on maximum.

Let rest for 2 minutes. Then open package in plate. Drizzle a little more extra virgin olive oil, add salt and pepper if needed...