My Fancy Mom's Go-To Summer Dinner Party Recipe

I can attest - it is very, very good.

My Fancy Mom is back with another relatively easy recipe. She is an amazing cook, and she’s made this for me many times and it’s great. Also something fresh and light and - I think? - pretty painless to make? It looks impressive too.

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Anyway, here’s my mom.

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This dish is a godsend for summer entertaining. Each guest receives a paper package that contains a complete meal: fish, green veggie, corn, and tomatoes. The packages can be made up to two hours in advance and refrigerated until it's time for dinner. You can dash into the kitchen, slide the packages onto a baking sheet and slip them into the oven for 10 - 15 minutes, and dinner is ready!

People love to receive and unwrap these. The steam rises into their faces like a fragrant cloud. The corn cob bakes next to the fish to impart the deep corney flavor, but once guests unwrap their package, provide a bowl that they may discard their cob into.

I like to serve these in this oval dish. And these fish napkins are fun. As are these that look like the net. I often bake the packages in the oval serving dishes, then deliver the hot dish to guests. (If you do this, make sure there is something under the dish so that the heat doesn't damage your table.) You can also put the packages onto a baking sheet to cook.

Summer fish in parchment

Serves 4

4 ears of corn

4 pieces of fresh cod or halibut, 5 - 6 oz each

20 cherry tomatoes in mixed colors if possible

28 small tender green beans

4 sprigs of fresh tarragon

8 T butter cut into small chunks

4 thin slices of lemon

8 T dry white wine

4 thin slices of lemon

salt and pepper to taste

1. Remove the corn from the corn cobs. Save the cobs.

2. Salt and pepper the fish on both sides

3. Cut 4 pieces of parchment paper about 18" long each

4. Assemble the packages:

• Place corn kernels in the center of each paper

• Place a piece of fish on the corn

• Set the corn cob next to the fish

• Arrange the tomatoes and beans around the fish

• To each package add a tarragon sprig, 2 T butter chunks, 2 T white wine and a lemon slice

5. Pull the paper up over the fish on each side. Crease and fold it over on itself so that it is fairly compact. Then fold the top and bottom, folding the paper over and over to create a tight unit. You can move these around with a spatula or carefully with both hands.

6. At this point, you can chill the packages for up to 2 hours to cook later, or cook them immediately at 425 degrees for 10 - 15 minutes. (10 minutes for every 1/2" of thickness in fish) Do not over cook this dish! If you're unsure whether the fish is done, carefully open one package (this one can be yours), to see if you can push a sharp knife through the fish. It should be rare at this point because it will continue to steam in the package after you remove it from the oven and while it travels to your guests.

This recipe is versatile. You can use asparagus instead of beans, In winter, you can use tiny pre-cooked potatoes with interesting mushrooms and greens, substituting dill or thyme for the tarragon.

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There we go!

Your friends,

Laurel & Fancy Mom