I can’t get enough of Hawaii. We visited a few years ago and I’m just not over it. So, I created this little “Hawaii in a packet” to console myself. It’s sweet and brings back the flavors of the islands to me. It’s also easy to make with no mess!

4 boneless pork chops
2 tsp olive oil
1/4 tsp garlic powder
4 individual serving containers of tropical fruit (or pineapple)
4 tbsp soy sauce or tamari
salt and pepper

Place one chop in the center of a piece of parchment (see Techniques page for info on using and folding parchment). Rub with 1/2 tsp olive oil. Sprinkle 1/4 of the garlic powder on top. Dump one container of fruit on top. Add 1 tbsp soy sauce. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Fold parchment. Repeat with other 3 chops. Bake at 400 for 20 minutes. Allow to rest about 5 minutes before opening and enjoying!

I can’t get enough of Hawaii. We visited a few years ago and I’m just not over it. So, I created this little “Hawaii in a packet” to console myself. It’s sweet and brings back the flavors of the islands to me. It’s also easy to make with no mess! 4 boneless pork chops 2 … Read more →

I had such a great response to my post about doing rice noodles in parchment, I decided to take the leap and see if I could do more traditional pastas this way also. The answer? YES! I actually made this dish two ways – the traditional way and the parchment paper method. They are identical in taste, flavor, and texture (except some of the manicotti noodles ripped when I boiled them and when I used the parchment method they did not and turned out perfectly shaped). The difference? No manicotti pan to scrub afterwards.

Line your baking sheet with foil then place your parchment on top (see Technique page for info about how to use and fold the parchment). Soak 8 manicotti shells in your sink, covered in hot water for 20 minutes.  In a large plastic zip bag, mix 1 container of cottage cheese or 1 container of ricotta (or a mix of half and half of each), 1 package of frozen spinach (defrosted and squeezed dry), 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, 1 tsp Italian herb mix, and salt and pepper to taste. Seal the bag and squish it up till it’s mixed. Cut a hole in the corner of the bag and use it to pipe the mix into the shells.

Place 1/8 cup spaghetti sauce at the bottom of each parchment packet in the shape of 2 manicotti. Place 2 stuffed manicotti on top. Top with 1/2 cup sauce. Repeat for other 3 packets. Bake at 400 for 25 minutes. Allow to rest about 3 minutes before cutting open the packets.

It turns out perfectly. It’s moist and delicious and full of flavor. Definitely my new favorite way of making pasta!

I had such a great response to my post about doing rice noodles in parchment, I decided to take the leap and see if I could do more traditional pastas this way also. The answer? YES! I actually made this dish two ways – the traditional way and the parchment paper method. They are identical … Read more →

We went to Alaska this past summer. It was an amazing trip. Mr. NoPot and son caught salmon we’ve been eating. They didn’t catch any halibut, but we did have the opportunity to have fresh halibut while we were there and it was wonderful. I’m back to frozen halibut now from the grocery store, but I have a great little cookbook I picked up in Alaska called Fishes and Dishes, which inspired this recipe.

4 4 oz halibut filets
3 tsp Dijon mustard
1/2 cup light sour cream
1/2 cup plain yogurt
1/4 tsp dried minced onion
1/4 tsp dried dill
4 ounces frozen chopped spinach, squeezed dry
salt and pepper to taste

Place one filet on each piece of parchment (and remember, you can find folding instructions and other tips on the “Technique” page of this blog). In a bowl, mix all the other ingredients. Spoon 1/4 of the sauce on top of each filet. Fold the packet and bake at 400 degrees for 17 minutes. Serve with some wedges of lemon to squeeze.

I love the light creaminess of this sauce and I am also a big fan of spinach. The flavors go so well with the light flaky halibut. I loved this quick, no mess, delicious dish!

We went to Alaska this past summer. It was an amazing trip. Mr. NoPot and son caught salmon we’ve been eating. They didn’t catch any halibut, but we did have the opportunity to have fresh halibut while we were there and it was wonderful. I’m back to frozen halibut now from the grocery store, but … Read more →

My father has an asparagus patch, so in the spring, we have lots of asparagus to use. And I am always looking for news ways to make it. Recently I decided to make it with a sesame flavor and was thrilled with my no-mess, no-pot results

1 bunch asparagus, trimmed

1/4 tsp toasted sesame seeds

1/2 tbsp olive oil

1 tbsp soy sauce

1/2 tsp sesame oil

Place the asparagus in the center of a sheet of parchment. Drizzle oils and soy sauce. Sprinkle with the seeds. Seal and bake at 400 for 15 minutes. Allow it to rest for about 5 minutes.

The asparagus comes out nicely cooked with a light sesame flavor that really livens it up. My kids liked this a lot because to them it tasted more like Chinese food and less like vegetables!

My father has an asparagus patch, so in the spring, we have lots of asparagus to use. And I am always looking for news ways to make it. Recently I decided to make it with a sesame flavor and was thrilled with my no-mess, no-pot results 1 bunch asparagus, trimmed 1/4 tsp toasted sesame seeds … Read more →

We eat a lot of salmon in this house. And since our trip to Alaska this past summer, we’re eating even more. Mr. NoPot and our son went on a salmon fishing trip and the fish they caught was flash frozen and shipped back home. I’ve got a freezer full of salmon, so we’re eating it about once a week. In the summer I usually grill it, but once the weather changes, I have to find other alternatives. Parchment paper packets is a fantastic way to cook fish. It keeps all the moisture in, cooks it evenly, and creates no mess! You’re going to love the simplicity of this and be amazed by the flavor.

Salmon with Mustard Sauce
4 individual salmon filets (5-6 oz) or one family size (1 lb to 1 1/4 lbs)
2 tbsp lemon juice
2 tbsp Dijon mustard
2 tbsp brown sugar
salt and pepper

Mix the lemon juice, mustard, and brown sugar in a small bowl. Place the salmon in the center of the parchment paper. Spoon sauce over salmon. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Seal the packet(s). Bake at 400 degrees. If you’re making one family size filet, bake for 30 minutes. If you’re making 4 individual pieces, bake for 15 minutes.

We eat a lot of salmon in this house. And since our trip to Alaska this past summer, we’re eating even more. Mr. NoPot and our son went on a salmon fishing trip and the fish they caught was flash frozen and shipped back home. I’ve got a freezer full of salmon, so we’re eating … Read more →

I use parchment paper cooking not only for main dishes, but for my veggies and sides too. The paper seals in the steam, and vegetables cook while retaining all of their flavors and nutrients. A fabulous, fabulous dish I cannot get enough of is this one:
Honey Dill Carrots
10 oz shredded or matchstick carrots
1 1/2 tbsp honey
1/2 tsp dried dill
1 tbsp butter
salt and pepper

You can shred carrots yourself (in a food processor) or buy a bag of matchsticks/shredded carrots. Place the carrots in the center of your parchment paper. Drizzle with the honey. Sprinkle the dill over them. Dot with the butter. Salt and pepper to taste. Fold up your packet and bake at 400 for 40 minutes. You could also make this as individual packets of 4 and it would cook in 20 minutes.

The carrots have an amazing sweetness and retain enough crunch to make them interesting. Kids in particular LOVE this dish because it doesn’t look like carrots, it looks like confetti!

I use parchment paper cooking not only for main dishes, but for my veggies and sides too. The paper seals in the steam, and vegetables cook while retaining all of their flavors and nutrients. A fabulous, fabulous dish I cannot get enough of is this one: Honey Dill Carrots 10 oz shredded or matchstick carrots … Read more →