Barley Free Cod en Papillote with Lemon, Herbs & Cherry Tomatoes
Cooking fish in parchment is one of those techniques that feels fancy but is genuinely forgiving, and this version with bright cherry tomatoes, zucchini, and fresh herbs delivers serious flavor with very little fuss. Each fillet gets its own sealed parcel, so the cod steams gently in garlic-infused oil, white wine, and lemon — keeping it impossibly moist and flaky without any heavy sauces or coatings to worry about. The ingredient list is clean and straightforward, built entirely around fresh produce, herbs, and fish, which means there's no hidden grain-based thickeners or fillers lurking anywhere. Scallion greens, flat-leaf parsley, and thyme layer in a herby brightness that plays beautifully against the acidity of the lemon rounds draped right over the top. The crimped parchment parcels puff up dramatically in the oven, and opening them at the table releases a cloud of fragrant steam that makes the whole thing feel like a restaurant moment. A squeeze of the reserved lemon wedges at the end ties everything together and keeps the dish tasting fresh and vibrant. It's the kind of weeknight dinner that looks like you tried much harder than you actually did.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
- 4 cod fillets (6 oz each), skin-on or skinless
- 3 tbsp garlic-infused oil
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 medium zucchini, thinly sliced into rounds
- 1 lemon, half thinly sliced into rounds, half cut into wedges for serving
- 4 sprigs fresh thyme
- 2 tbsp fresh flat-leaf parsley, roughly chopped
- 4 scallions, green tops only, thinly sliced
- ½ tsp fine sea salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper, freshly ground
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- 2 tbsp dry white wine
Instructions
- 1
Preheat the oven to 400°F (205°C). Cut four sheets of parchment paper, each about 15 inches long. Fold each sheet in half crosswise to crease the center, then open them flat on a baking sheet.
- 2
Arrange a few zucchini rounds in a single layer on one half of each parchment sheet, just off the center crease. Scatter a quarter of the cherry tomatoes over the zucchini on each sheet.
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