An easy way of cooking healthy meals is to use parchment packets, or papillotes.
The food remains moist and tender, while the natural sweetness in the food comes out due to the steaming that takes place.
Parchment packets are fun, too.
The packets puff up like small balloons during cooking.
Your family will not know what is awaiting them until they open their own individual packet, which will release an enticing aroma when opened.
Parchment paper is the traditional material used for this style of cooking, but you can also use brown paper lunch bags if you do not want to learn the simple folding required.
To use parchment, fold a large sheet in half.
Cut it along the fold, making a large heart, just like on Valentine's Day.
Repeat this as many times as needed to feed each person at your dinner.
Open the heart.
Place the food in the center of one side of the heart.
Add your seasonings and top with any sauces or marinades you may be using.
Lemon slices add a nice flavor, too.
Seal the packets by folding the other half of the parchment over the food.
Beginning at the blunt end, make a small, sharp fold toward the food.
Continue making small folds along the edge, refolding the last tuck upon itself many times to make a good seal.
Fold it beneath the packet.
Move the packets to a baking sheet and follow your recipe for baking time.
Fun Cooking with Parchment Besides the fun of opening your food like a Christmas present and practically no clean up, parchment cooking is also healthy.
Steaming the food in your packets is low fat and great for those watching what they eat.
You do not need to use as much butter or oil as you might in other cooking methods.
It is also a gentle way to cook delicate foods such as fish.
You can find the parchment paper at the grocery store along with waxed paper and foil.
If your store does not carry parchment, foil will work for packets too.
The Many Possibilities with Parchment Parchment packets are so versatile you can cook just about anything in them.
Fish works well, and chicken and pork also does well.
Almost an entire meal can be prepared in a packet.
Just use layers for your meat, sauce, and vegetables to get a wonderful entree.
Pasta can even be cooked to perfection! Make a delicious entree of salmon, dill, and lemon, or a vegetarian dish of sweet potatoes seasoned with leeks.
Find some easy chicken recipes with a sauce and bake them in parchment.
You can even make a tasty Asian pouch with Ramen noodles, green onions, fish or chicken and some teriyaki sauce.
Do your food prep thoroughly for the best results.
Make sure your vegetables are julienned or sliced in small pieces for even cooking.
You may want to include celery, shallots, zucchini, carrots, or mushrooms with aromatic herbs.
Use a baking sheet to hold your packets and bake in a 400-degree oven for about ten minutes.
Dinner will be ready in a flash!