You may have noticed videos circulating the web showing people baking food in little foil parcels.
While this may seem strange to some, it is actually a perfect way to cook food, especially fish!

This article will guide you through a delicious baked cod recipe using the foil method, as well as all the benefits of cooking food this way.
Why Should You Cook Fish In Foil?
Cooking dishes in these little parcels has been around for years and became very common in Italy and France.
They refer to Italy as ‘al cartoccio’, and in France, it is called ‘en papillote’.
It involves placing food or fish inside parchment paper and securing the sides tightly as the steam stays inside the paper and cooks the food.
Instead of parchment paper, foil can also be used, and it makes for a very convenient cooking method, as all the heat is trapped inside the parcel, cooking the food to perfection.
Aside from fish, you can cook a variety of foods this way, such as steak, vegetables, chicken, and pork, but fish takes the least amount of time – you’ll have your meal ready in just 15 to 20 minutes this way!
As well as the quick cooking time, preparing fish in a foil parcel is also a very healthy way to cook it.
This is because you don’t need butter or oil used when you fry or grill it (see also ‘15 Awesome Paleo Air Fryer Recipes To Try Today‘).
While some do still prefer to add some butter or oil to this package, it is not needed, and your fish will still be juicy and delicious.
Another benefit is the presentation of this dish. There’s nothing quite like opening the steaming hot parcel and getting a whiff of all the delicious aromas before you dig into your mouth-watering meal.
Baked Cod In Foil Recipe
This recipe cooks some delicious cod, along with some bell peppers, tomato, and basil in order to create a scrumptious, healthy, and low-carb meal!
Step 1
Firstly, you are going to preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
Step 2
Next, you are going to mix your bell pepper, tomato, onion, olive oil, basil and garlic in a bowl until all ingredients are combined.
Step 3
For each cod fillet you have, place one sheet of aluminum foil on a flat surface, and lay the cod fillet in the center.
Then, place a spoonful of the tomato and pepper mixture you just prepared over each cod fillet and add some lemon juice, salt, and pepper over each one.
Once this has been done, grab a separate sheet of foil for each fillet, and cover it completely.
Make sure you have sealed the edges, so the heat gets trapped inside. This will also prevent any leaking of any juices.
Step 4
The final step is to bake each parcel until the food is cooked.
This will take around 20 minutes, and your cod will flake nicely and will take on the delicious flavor of the tomato and pepper mixture you spooned on top.
What Goes Well With Cod?
The above recipe is only one of the delicious options you have to pair with cod.
There are a variety of other foods you can cook in a foil parcel with cod.
1. Cod With Lemon And Butter
Cod pairs wonderfully well with butter and lemon, and this recipe will have you making a delicious sauce that is light, refreshing, and incredibly tasty.
This is a perfect light dinner option that can be served with either a bed of rice, or a medley of your favorite vegetables.
2. Cod And Chorizo Parcels
For a more protein-heavy meal, why not try these cod and chorizo parcels?
They may seem like a strange pairing, but they work wonderfully together, especially if you mix them together with some red and yellow slices of peppers, like this recipe does.
3. Sweet Chili Cod Parcels
If you like your food to have a little kick, then you’ll love these sweet chili cod parcels.
The recipe follows the same method as the above recipes, just place all of your ingredients into your cute, foil parcels, and let the oven do the rest of the work.
The result is some seriously delicious flaky fish that has taken on all the flavors of the other ingredients you included.
Final Thoughts
Preparing fish such as cod in foil parcels is a great cooking method. It is healthy, easy, very convenient.
Your fish will also cook very quickly, and will take on all the flavors of whatever you add with it!
You can throw anything you like in with your cod in these parcels, such as veggies, lemon, butter, and even other forms of protein such as chorizo!
The recipes in this article are the perfect, lazy, yet healthy meals for your week night dinners.
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