Packet Roasted Salmon

Another brilliant Alton Brown inspired dinner.  This one is perfect for when you are cooking for one and really don’t feel like putting a lot of time into a tasty meal.

Ingredients:

• 8 oz salmon fillet (a thin piece will work best)
• 1/2 cup dry couscous
• 1/2 orange, sliced
• 1/2 onion, sliced
• hand-full of fresh basil
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 1/4 cup white wine
• 2 carrots, sliced thinly
• 5 green onions, chopped finely
• ground black pepper
• pinch of salt
• sprig of rosemary
• ground ginger
• 1 tbs butter
• 3 ft parchment paper (not wax paper, unless of course you like eating crayons)

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.  Soak the couscous in cold water for 10 minutes.  Fold the parchment paper in half and cut into a large  half heart shape. Unfold into a heart and place the veggies in a pile on one side.  Place the salmon on top of the veggies, surround the mound with couscous and top with the orange slices and pieces of butter.  Add spices and pour on the liquid (don’t worry, the veggies and couscous will soak it up).  Fold the parchment paper back over and fold over the edges to seal.  Use some staples to hold the packet together.  Place the packet on a baking sheet in the oven for 15 minutes. Cooking time will depend on the thickness of your fish, I had a pretty thick piece and it took closer to 20 minutes.  Ideally, keep the packet sealed till done but if you open it too early you can wrap it in another piece of parchment paper and return it to the oven and its not a big deal. 

When it’s done slice open the packet and enjoy your tasty dinner (careful of the steam!).  If you want to cook for 2 its probably best to make 2 packets rather than over stuffing one.  You can put pretty much whatever you like in the packet so experiment!