Cooking in foil on the barbecue

Cooking in parchment paper

Have you ever heard of cooking en papillote? This technique, which involves wrapping fish or vegetables in parchment paper, allows for gentle cooking, resulting in tender, fat-free food if desired. While it can be done in the oven, it also works beautifully on the barbecue! We'll explain everything you need to know to make it a success!

Summary :

What is cooking en papillote?

What foods are suitable for this cooking method?

How to make an airtight papillote?

How to grill fish on the barbecue without it sticking?

How can you tell if fish cooked in parchment paper is done?

What are some other barbecue cooking techniques?

What is cooking en papillote?

Cooking en papillote is a method that involves wrapping food in aluminum foil or parchment paper (you can even find reusable silicone papillotes) to cook it. The heat retained in the packaging allows for even and gentle cooking, much like steaming. This cooking method is particularly appealing because it keeps food moist, as the moisture is trapped inside the papillote. The result is much more tender food.

Cooking en papillote has the advantage of allowing for the creation of numerous recipes. While it's used in oven cooking, it can also be perfectly suited for barbecuing. The system is exactly the same, except that the heat of the barbecue is used for cooking.

What foods are suitable for this cooking method?

There are many foods that can be cooked in parchment paper. The star ingredient for this cooking method is, of course, fish. Salmon and cod are particularly popular because they are easy to cook and very tasty, but there are many other fish that can be used.

What's less well known is that white meats are also perfectly suited to cooking en papillote. However, be sure to choose an appropriate cooking time to ensure the meat is cooked thoroughly throughout. Only red meats are not suitable for this method of steaming, as it doesn't work well for them.

It should also be noted that vegetables love this cooking method! Potatoes are particularly excellent cooked in foil packets, but this is also the case for many summer vegetables such as eggplants, courgettes, tomatoes, peppers, etc.

You can find many recipes online that combine fish and vegetables in the same parchment paper packet so that the flavors meld together. A drizzle of olive oil, a little crème fraîche, and all sorts of herbs can also enhance the dish. The possibilities for a delicious meal are endless!

How to make an airtight papillote?

For a papillote to be successful, it's crucial that it's completely airtight. The key lies in the folding technique. Therefore, cooking methods vary. Some prefer aluminum foil (be careful, though, as it can be toxic when in contact with acidic foods), while others prefer parchment paper. Reusable silicone papillotes are also available.

There are many online methods explaining how to achieve a successful papillote. Our secret, in our opinion: don't try to overfill your papillote; it's better to make a second one for more successful papillote cooking!

How to grill fish on the barbecue without it sticking?

The best method is to brush the inside of the aluminum foil with a little olive oil to prevent the fish from sticking. Alternatively, you can use paper that is less harmful and doesn't stick to food at all. When you want to uncover your fish, it will slide right onto your plate!

How can you tell if fish cooked in parchment paper is done?

It's not always easy to know when fish is cooked in parchment paper. Unfortunately, it's impossible to tell until you open the paper to check. Therefore, you need to carefully calculate the cooking time to avoid mistakes. For a thin piece of fish, about twenty minutes should be sufficient.

What are some other barbecue cooking techniques?

Beyond cooking in foil packets, there are many other barbecue techniques. For example, there's marinating, which can completely transform the flavor of meat or fish and is perfectly suited for foil packets. Then there's smoking, which uses smoke to impart a whole new flavor to food. Of course, there's also the simplest technique: grilling, which is the hallmark of barbecue, and roasting. Finally, there's indirect cooking, which allows for slow and gentle cooking.

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