Halibut en Papillote with Carrot Top Pesto
There’s nothing simpler than cooking fish en papillote (in parchment paper). Try it in this easy recipe for Halibut en Papillote with Carrot Top Pesto.
Don’t let those carrot tops go to waste! This Halibut en Papillote with Carrot Top Pesto is a delicious way to enjoy them, with minimal effort and clean up.
There’s a little bird that has nested in one of the Italian cypress trees that flanks one side of our driveway. She’s built the most perfect little home, a wonder in itself, and to my amazement, she is perched at my children’s eye level. Needless to say, they are delighted, and you can’t help but carefully peek every time you pass the little tree, to see if she is there.
But pretty soon, she will have company. She has been laying eggs! Tiny little eggs – which my kids compare to those speckled Easter robin’s egg candies. When she flies away, I carefully sneak a peek, and she has been laying one egg a day. So far, there are five little eggs, and I wonder how much more she will lay? I joke that we have enough for a little baby omelet, organic and locally sourced. But do not worry, the eggs are safe.
She’s not the only bird that has taken residence in our yard. There’s another nest in a tree across the way, as well as a bird that has made a home in our arbor. They’ve all been very busy, and when they fly about, I really sense that spring is in the air.
HOW TO COOK HALIBUT IN PARCHMENT PAPER
With these beautiful days and new life around us, it’s time to eat lighter. The halibut is simply perfect this time of year – so fresh and plentiful – and I’ve returned to one of my favorite ways of preparing it: en papillote. The fish is baked in parchment and it’s the simplest way to keep things light and healthy – and perhaps the best part is how serving it in en papillote means easier clean up, too.
Chopped leeks are placed on a sheet of folded parchment and then the fillets, carrots, and reserved carrot tops are arranged alongside. After adding the pesto and a drizzle of wine, the parchment is folded into packets and baked. The perfectly cooked fillets can be served right from the parchment paper packets!
HOW TO MAKE CARROT TOP PESTO
I’ve been holding on to my carrot tops as I am realizing more and more that they’re more delicious eaten than thrown into the compost bin. By now you may have heard that carrot top pesto is a thing – and it’s a great way to use up your carrot tops if you don’t have little bunnies to feed. I used some in this simple recipe for Halibut en Papillote with Carrot Top Pesto, and it infused the fish with a delicate flavor that is perfect for this time of year.
Carrot top pesto comes together quickly. Just gather all the ingredients (carrots tops, basil, garlic, etc.) into a food processor and process. Blend in olive oil and it’s ready!
Have you tried carrot top pesto? It goes well beyond fish – try it in soups, on chicken, roasted vegetables, and more.
MORE FISH RECIPES
Baked Halibut with Olives and Tomatoes
Quinoa Stuffed Alaska Sole
Spicy Fish Taco Bowls with Cabbage Slaw
Sole Meunière
Simple Sundays | Pan-Roasted Halibut with Cilantro Edamame Pesto
Halibut en Papillote with Carrot Top Pesto
Ingredients
- 2 cups carrot tops rinsed and dried
- 1 cup fresh basil
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1/4 cup toasted almonds
- 1/4 cup toasted pine nuts
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
- kosher salt
- freshly ground black pepper
- 1/3 cup olive oil
- 2 small leek sliced once lengthwise, then cross cut in 1/2 inch pieces
- 1 lb halibut divided into 2 fillets
- 1-2 carrots sliced
- 1 tablespoon white wine or substitute chicken broth
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Reserve a few springs of carrot tops for the papillote.
- Place the remaining carrots tops, basil, garlic, almond, pine nuts, Parmesan cheese, salt and pepper in the bowl of a food processor, and process until smooth. With the food processor running, add the remaining olive oil slowly, until it is well blended. If you desire more creaminess, you may need to use a little more olive oil. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
- Preheat the oven to 400°F.
- Swirl and soak the sliced leeks in a bowl of cool water, and let them sit to release any soil. Remove the leeks that have floated to the top and drain on some paper towels. Set aside.
- Season halibut on both sides with salt and pepper.
- Take two pieces of parchment paper, about 12×16 inches. Fold in half along the longer side. Place the leeks along the fold, then lay the fillets on top. Arrange the carrots and the reserved carrot tops along the sides of the fish. Spread about two tablespoons of the pesto on each fillet. Drizzle with wine or broth.
- Fold the parchment paper, creating tight seams and making sure the ends are secure. Place in a baking dish or pan and put in the oven. Bake for 15-20 minutes. Simply serve the fish in their packets, served with extra pesto, if you wish.
Notes
Nutrition
Comments
COOKBOOK
Hi Liren,
So excited to feature this recipe on our Hungry Friday post! So sorry I missed your reply last Friday. Would still looooove to include this in the follow week’s feature because this is a recipe we’ve been wanting to try–and many more of your other recipes, including the nostalgic ones. We’ve got some work to do in our kitchen! Thanks for inspiring us. Maraming salamat!
JD – altamontefamily.com
Hello, Liren :-) Love your recipes and your blog–especially helps with the nostalgia as I try to recall some flavors from my short childhood in the Philippines. Will need to try that misua bola bola recipe soon. As for this recipe–it’s genius! Never thought of making pesto with carrot tops. Been bummed since we had to give our bunny away when we moved… and then having to throw a lot of stuff into the compost bin. Anyway, mind if we feature this post and 1 of your images for our Hungry Friday post this week? We’ll link to your recipe so our readers can find this delicious stuff right here on your blog. Looking forward to hearing from you!
JD – altamontefamily.com
Hi JD! I’m so thrilled that my blog has brought back some wonderful nostalgia – I love sharing the flavors I grew up tasting, and it’s so fun hearing from readers like you! Sorry to hear that your bunny had to find a new home, but I do hope you try the pesto.
I would be happy to see you feature this post in your Hungry Friday – feel free to use one image and a link back to the full recipe :) Thanks!
Hahahaha! A little omelet. Hilarious. :-) It’s the thing I love about our yard… all the nature we get to witness. We definitely get our share of birds, and rabbits and squirrels… all of which Maki loves to chase after.
This halibut is stunning. I love that this type of preparation really lets the fish shine. And such a great use of carrot tops!
It would be the teeniest little omelet! I would need to find an appropriate skillet, of course. Think Sur La Table might have one? :)
I can just imagine how much fun Maki is having in your yard – sounds like the move was a good idea all around ;)
That fish is inspiring major cravings from this land-locked cook. I was just in SF and the doorman at our hotel goes fishing from the Presidio and recently caught a 30-pound halibut from the shore!
At least I can have carrot top pesto with some steelhead! Lovely and clean flavors in this spring dish!
Wow, a 30 lb halibut from the shore? That is so impressive! Wish I could send you some halibut, Lynne, but you’re right, the pesto would be great with any kind of fish. I love steelhead!
Ohh put pesto on something and I’ll eat it! This looks amazing. Pinned
Luckily my children feel the same way! I plan on pesto-ing everything ;)