Fish in paper

Baking fish in paper is a wonderful way to imbue flavour and will have guests feeling like they are opening a delicious gift. Celia Hay shows us how.

Ingredients

1 Tbsp	Onion, finely chopped
½	Leeks, thinly sliced
1	Spring onion, sliced
1 tsp	Butter
3	Button mushrooms, thinly sliced
1 tsp	Canola oil
2 Tbsp	Dry white wine
2	Tarakihi fillets
1 dash	Oil, or melted butter

Directions

1. Heat the oven to 220C.
2. Fry the onion, leeks, spring onions and button mushrooms in butter and oil for 3-4 minutes.
3. Add white wine and stir for one minute. Remove from heat. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
4. Cut 2 pieces of baking paper into rectangles approx. 30cm x 25cm, large enough to enclose one fillet each.
5. Place 2 Tbsp of the onion mixture in the centre of one half of the paper. Repeat for the second rectangle.
6. Place fish fillets on top of the mixture. Sprinkle the fillets with the rest of the wine and onion mixture.
7. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Brush the edges of the paper with melted butter or oil.
8. Fold the paper over on itself to create a seal. Press firmly with your fingers. Repeat and seal the side tightly.
9. Place the parcels on an oven tray and bake for 5-8 minutes.
10. Serve immediately on warmed plates in the parcel - you can rip it open at the table.
11. Serve with steamed vegetables or a salad.