Indian Halibut “en Papillote" With Coconut-Mint Chutney

4Susan's Note:

Easier than it sounds! The spicy pale green chutney is made in a food processor and the halibut fillets are easily folded up within parchment paper or foil. Get your guests to cut open the little parcels at the table, it’s a good wow factor as the steam bursts forth with the exotic aromas. Recipe adapted from Indian Home Cooking. Indian Sweet and Sour Butternut Squash (see my recipes) makes a great accompaniment to this fish! Recommended Wines: Aura Verdejo 2003, Rueda, Spain; 2002 Grand Burge Thorn Riesling, Eden Valley, Australia; Seresin Sauvignon Blanc 2002, Marlborough, New Zealand; Laurent-Perrier Rosé Brut, current release; Manzanilla Papirusa Lustau Sherry, Spain.

• Total Time: 30 mins
• Prep Time: 20 mins
• Cook Time: 10 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 4

• 4 (6 -8 ounce) skinless halibut fillets (about 1 inch thick)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
• canola oil , for brushing

Chutney

• 2⁄3; cup grated fresh coconut (mixed with 1/3 cup whole milk) or 2⁄3; cup unsweetened dried shredded coconut (mixed with 1/3 cup whole milk)
• 1 shallot , peeled and quartered
• 3 fresh hot green chili peppers
• 6 garlic cloves
• 2 cups mint leaves
• 1⁄3; cup cilantro leaf
• ¼ cup curry leaf (optional)
• 2 small lemons, juice and zest of
• 3 tablespoons yogurt
• ¼ teaspoon salt (to taste)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
2. Sprinkle the fish all over with salt, and refrigerate 30 minutes.
3. Meanwhile, combine all the chutney ingredients in a food processor, and process until it forms a thick marinade, adding water 1 teaspoon at a time if necessary; Taste for salt, and set aside.
4. Rinse the fish, and pat dry.
5. Cut a piece of aluminum foil or parchment paper about 15 inches long, and lay it on a work surface, with the short side facing you; Brush the bottom half with a little oil.
6. Spoon about one-eighth of the chutney on the bottom half, and spread it out to a rectangle about the size of a halibut fillet.
7. Set one fillet on top of the chutney, and cover with another eighth of the chutney.
8. Fold the top half of the foil over the halibut so that the top and bottom edges meet.
9. Fold the bottom edge up about 1/4 inch, then fold it up twice more.
10. Do the same on both sides to completely seal the halibut in the package.
11. Repeat to make three more packages.
12. Put the packages in a single layer on a baking sheet, and bake until the foil just begins to puff, about 8 to 10 minutes.
13. Cut the packages open and slide the fish and chutney out onto plates.
14. Serve hot.