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flaky baked grouper in a parchment packet with pistachios, olives and citrus.

Baked Grouper En Papillote with Mediterranean Olives


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5 from 2 reviews

Description

Restaurant-quality grouper with Mediterranean flavors, steamed to perfection in individual parchment packets.


Ingredients

6-8 small white potatoes or fingerlings

1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

2/3 cup Spanish olives, roughly chopped

1/2 cup pistachios, roughly chopped

12-16 thin strips orange zest

6-8 thin strips lemon zest

3 garlic cloves, thinly sliced

1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves

1 teaspoon coarse sea salt (divided)

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

4 (4-5 oz) grouper fillets

1 lemon, thinly sliced

Fresh flat leaf parsley, for garnish


Instructions

  1. Prep potatoes: Preheat oven to 375°F. Boil potatoes in salted water 8-10 minutes until just tender. Drain and cool until handleable.

  2. Make olive mixture: Combine olive oil, olives, pistachios, citrus zests, garlic, red pepper flakes, thyme, ½ teaspoon salt, and black pepper in microwave-safe bowl. Microwave 1 minute to warm oil and bloom flavors. Stir and set aside.

  3. Prepare fish: Pat grouper dry and season each fillet with a pinch of salt. Slice cooled potatoes into ¼-inch rounds.

  4. Assemble packets: Cut 4 large parchment rectangles and fold each in half. On one half, layer: potato slices, pinch of salt, 1 tablespoon olive mixture, grouper fillet, 2-3 tablespoons olive mixture, lemon slices. Seal packets by rolling and crimping edges tightly.

  5. Bake: Place packets on baking sheet. Bake 18-20 minutes until packets are puffed and lightly golden. Rest 5 minutes before opening.

  6. Serve: Cut an X in the top of each packet with scissors (watch for steam). Alternately you can simply un-crimp the edges and fold back the parchment. Garnish grouper with diced parsley and serve.

Notes

  • Fish substitutes: White fish fillets like cod, halibut, sea bass, or red snapper work well
  • Low-carb option: Skip potatoes and add extra vegetables like zucchini or fennel
  • Make-ahead: Packets can be assembled up to 4 hours ahead and refrigerated
  • Doneness test: Fish should flake easily and reach 145°F internal temperature
  • Storage: Leftover fish keeps 2 days refrigerated. Reheat gently in 300°F oven
  • Frozen fish: Thaw completely and pat very dry before seasoning
  • Prep Time: 20
  • Cook Time: 20
  • Category: Easy Recipes
  • Method: Baked
  • Cuisine: Mediterranean

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1/4
  • Calories: 364
  • Sugar: 1.2 g
  • Sodium: 849.3 mg
  • Fat: 22.7 g
  • Carbohydrates: 5.3 g
  • Protein: 35.5 g
  • Cholesterol: 60.9 mg