Tilapia en Papillote with a Mirepoix, Herb and Garlic Stuffing

Well I was all set to blog about another dessert, when suddenly I remembered I promised to do an Entrée before I did another desert.  This one is one of my favorites and I do many variations of the basic concept.  It is really simple, but will impress the hell out of your dinner party guests, when you serve a parchment package on their plate.  Then watch their eyes and noses perk up as you demonstrate how to open the package.  Full of flavor and sure to delight.

   

Tilapia in Parchment with Peas

Prep:

You will need parchment Paper and a cookie sheet for this

(serves 2)

Ingredients:

4 pieces of Tilapia (you can use frozen but thaw out and be sure the fish is dry in either case)

4 tablespoons butter (divided)

Finely Julienne or course grate a large carrot

Finely Julienne or Course grate a stalk of celery

Course chop 1/2 medium onion

Thinly slice 4 mushrooms

2 cloves of garlic, grated

1 teaspoon  Lemon Juice

1 teaspoon Herbs de Provence (If you don't have this, make it or improvise, try sage, thyme and fennel seed crushed)

1 slice of bread (finely chopped to make large bread crumbs)

1 teaspoon Paprika

1 teaspoon Garlic Powder

Salt & Pepper

Parchment Paper 14 x14 (2 pieces)

Directions: 

 Pre heat an oven to 400

Fold the parchment in half and then from the bottom next to the fold cut outward, up and around to make a Heart. (You know you did this in 1st grade you haven't forgotten how.  If you open you will have a big heart.

In a small bowl, mix the Carrot, Celery, Onion, Mushrooms, Garlic, Lemon Juice, Herbs de Provence and large bread crumbs.  Salt and Pepper to taste.

Next, Salt and Pepper to taste the Tilapia filets.

Assembly:   Lay one Filet on the Parchment, centered, next to the center fold with the heart point down, Place 1/2 the mixture on top of the Filet, then dollop with 1 Tablespoon of butter.  Place the other Filet on top and press and cup the two pieces of fish at the same time.  Lightly dust with Garlic Powder and Paprika, then dollop with 1 tablespoon of butter. 

Next fold  the heart half over the fish.  Now starting at the point, tightly begin to fold and seal the Parchment around the fish, over lapping the seam for a tight seal.  You will now have a sealed envelope.

Repeat the Assembly for the other serving of fish.

Place Parchment of Fish on a Baking sheet and Bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes.

Cut a cross and peel back the parchment to serve.

Buttered Peas make an excellent Accompaniment.

Enjoy