Simple Packet Cooking

By Leah Holzel
March 26, 2013
Credit: Antonis Achilleos
The steamy climate of a parchment pouch means food cooks gently but quickly, so dinner's on the table fast. Oh, and did we mention almost zero cleanup?
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3 Steps to Parchment Packets

Credit: Antonis Achilleos

Step 1: Fold sheet in half to form a 15"x12" rectangle. Now think back to elementary school and cut out a heart. (This shape is much easier to seal than a rectangle or a circle.)

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Credit: Antonis Achilleos

Step 2: Unfold the paper and arrange your ingredients, as instructed in the recipe, on one half of the heart. Fold the other half over and line up the edges.

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Credit: Antonis Achilleos

Step 3: Starting at the top of the heart, fold over about 1/2 inch of the edge, pressing down to make a crease. Continue working your way around the edge of the packet, making overlapping folds (like pleats), always pressing firmly and creasing the edge so the folds hold. Twist the tip of the heart and tuck it under the packet to finish.

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Chicken "Potpie"

Credit: Antonis Achilleos
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Refrigerated biscuits are the tasty secret to this recipe.

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Teriyaki Salmon With Broccoli Slaw

Credit: Antonis Achilleos
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This versatile sauce can be easily doubled and tastes just as great on chicken or steak.

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Cuban Shrimp

Credit: Antonis Achilleos
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To make it more mild for the kids, cut back on the chipotle and adobo sauce.

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Individual Apple Upside-Down Cakes

Credit: Antonis Achilleos
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Time saver! The batter can also be made in a food processor.

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Sweet & Sour Pork

Credit: Antonis Achilleos
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This dish hosts a medley of flavors and textures from sweet fruit notes to crunchy cashews.

Originally published in the May 2013 issue of Parents magazine.

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