Fish en Papillote is fancy talk for fish in parchment. This method locks in flavor and makes cleanup a breeze. We’ve got the dish, now what on the side?
Our kitchens have seen it all. From disastrous pairings to those “aha!” moments. We’re here to share what works.
Real talk, some sides elevate this dish from good to “Can I have seconds?”
No fluff, just the good stuff coming your way.
Why Consider Serving Side Dishes with Fish en Papillote?
Fish en papillote involves oven-cooking seasoned fish by wrapping it with baking paper.
The seasonings can be as many or as few as you want them to be.
As perfect as the fish tastes, you can only choose to assemble a good list of side dishes to keep everything balanced.
It will also potentially prevent your palate from overwhelming with the rich flavors.
Nothing is lacking in the en papillote cooking method.
It is considered a healthy method of cooking, and you can only elevate it until you have a perfectly planned meal.
What to Serve with Fish en Papillote? 7 BEST Side Dishes
Should fish be served with vegetables or meat? You’ll be happy to find all of your favorite food below.
1 – Broccoli Pasta
Love pasta? Right, let’s start with our favorite ready-to-cook snack, the pasta.
But we’ll be upgrading our regular pasta into a healthier version by adding broccoli.
And if you or anyone around you don’t like broccoli, don’t skip the veggies.
You’ll know how amazing it tastes once you try it.
No one can resist this pasta because it has all the flavors it needs to make anyone love veggies.
Broccoli pasta has a mix of all you need in a daily bowl of nutrition– vegetables and carbs with a citrus accent.
Any type of pasta will do for this side dish; you will find that the pasta and fish totally sync.
2 – Mac and cheese
You probably aren’t satisfied with just one pasta side dish.
So, we have another one with a fancier twist, the creamy mac & cheese.
Everybody loves it, right?
Even the look is addicting enough for anyone to love mac and cheese.
Whole milk, butter, and cheese are responsible for the satisfyingly creamy sauce.
With all that dairy, wouldn’t it be too overwhelming? We have just the right trick: sprinkling some fresh herbs before serving the mac and cheese will be the final touch that puts it all together.
You can’t go wrong with some cheesy side dish, which is why we have the mac and cheese here so that you too can experience how it complements the fish en papillote.
3 – Marinated Mushrooms
Mushrooms are an excellent pair for both vegetables and meat.
And, of course, it goes incredibly well with fish.
So, what does it mean to marinate mushrooms?
You’ll have to blanch the mushroom in vinegar and then marinate it in olive oil.
What does it taste like? The earthy flavor of the mushrooms becomes infused with a tangy aftertaste.
The texture is chewy but contrasts well with the tender fish.
Once that is done, you can add some chili flakes for a bit of spiciness, but that depends on how you wish to have it.
4 – Lemon Rice
It is no secret that rice pairs well with any meaty dish, and fish is no exception.
Lemon rice is tangy flavored rice that is achieved by mixing cooked rice in several seasonings.
Fresh lemon juice, herbs, spices, and nuts are the most common ingredients in any lemon rice recipe.
You can use healthy rice variants or aromatic rice for this side dish, and Basmati rice is one of the most accessible and favored options.
The best thing about lemon rice is that the tanginess complements the fragrant and tender fish and fills you up quickly.
It is among the best ways to add some carbs to your meal.
5 – Rosemary Roasted Potatoes
This list wouldn’t be complete without some potatoes.
So, some roasted potatoes should do the trick of making a savory side dish for the tender fish.
Make sure you choose the right type of potatoes for this side dish.
Some potatoes are firm and retain their structure even after roasting, while some get mushy.
What’s so special about the roasted potatoes? The garlic, Italian seasonings, fresh rosemary, and parmesan fill your kitchen with its mouth-watering aroma as you cook through the process.
The trick to achieving a perfectly crispy exterior is to sauté the potatoes before roasting them in the oven.
The inside will be moist and tender, giving it the perfection of roasted potatoes.
6 – Garlic Bread
You can’t just call it a meal without bread, right? Garlic bread is one of the best options to serve with fish en papillote.
Butter, olive oil, and minced garlic combine to give off an aromatic garlic bread.
But do you know to make it taste even better?
After the bread has cooled down, add some fresh parsley and lemon juice just before serving to give the bread that extra twist of flavor.
But remember that these extra additions are best added while serving, so don’t store your garlic bread with the lemon juice on.
7 – Italian Stuffed Tomatoes
Ever tried stuffed tomatoes? Well, if you haven’t, now is a perfect chance to try it.
The Italian way of making stuffed tomatoes is stuffing the tomatoes with breadcrumbs and pine nuts.
You’ll need to choose the firmest tomatoes and scoop out the pulp.
Then, season the insides with salt before stuffing them with the mixture.
All that’s left is to bake them until the tomatoes become tender.
With this side dish, you’ll have guests wanting for seconds.
Making a large batch even on your first try wouldn’t be a bad idea.
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