Cod Parcel Recipe

Turning a classic style restaurant dish of fish in a parcel (or en papillote to give it the technical term) into a meal that all the family can enjoy either from the oven or the BBQ isn’t complicated.

The beauty of this meal is that you can serve the cod and vegetables inside of the parcel they are cooked in and this reduces the cleaning up. I was only discussing this at a cookery demonstration last weekend; how adapting recipes to suit your family means that all the generations can get involved in preparing dinner. I’m the first to admit I am a control-freak in the kitchen and part of that comes from my desire to nurture my gang. However, this completely sabotages my need to take it easy on myself. Meals that don’t have much preparation, cooking time, or clean up afterwards are my Holy Grail when it comes to spending time at the stove.

To show you that I’ve put my money where my mouth is… here’s a video I made of myself preparing the recipe so that you can see just how simple it is.

Anyway, I’ve adapted this recipe so that you can cook it outdoors in the good weather, and indoors when we get a bit of rain.  Goodness how we are all hoping for that rain now! Either way, entice a small person to make you a cod parcel for your dinner and put the feet up if you can. We all deserve a break.

[recipe][recipe title=”Cod Parcel” servings=”1″ time=”25 mins” difficulty=”easy”]

• 1 scallion, sliced
• 1 piece of fresh cod
• Handful of cherry tomatoes (on the vine is best)
• Fresh basil leaves
• Salt & Pepper
• Aged Balsamic Vinegar

Method

Preheat a (fan) oven to 190 degrees Celsius. Cut out on large square (about 2 hand lengths square) of baking parchment and the same of tinfoil.

Lay the tinfoil flat on the table and lay the baking parchment directly on top.

In the centre of the baking parchment, first put the sliced scallions on the bottom. Then the cod on top and season with the salt and pepper. Put the cherry tomatoes on top of the cod, followed by some fresh basil leaves. Scrunch the paper up into a parcel and then scrunch the tinfoil around the paper so that no air can escape.

Lift the parcel onto a heavy bottomed baking tray then bake in the oven for 20 minutes. Serve sprinkled with the balsamic vinegar then with some steamed baby new potatoes and a side salad.

*To barbecue, place the tin foil parcel directly onto the grill on a medium heat for 15 minutes.*

[/recipe]

Disclosure: This recipe was originally developed and photographed for Lidl Ireland.