Sandals Negril’s Secret Fish In Foil Recipe

Trying Fish in Foil is a must in the Caribbean. It’s a simple yet delicious way to cook up a tasty meal that’ll probably bring you right back to your last Caribbean all-inclusive vacation.

Fortunately, this recipe isn’t something you can only enjoy during a camping trip, or while snacking it up Jerk Shack style at a Caribbean resort. Without needing a whole lot of skill or cooking ambition, just about anyone can make their own fish in foil, zesty bells and whistles included. The great thing about this recipe is the easy clean up once you’re done indulging yourself!

If you’re stuck at home and craving some delicious Fish in Foil, round up the ingredients below shared by Delroy Hayes, Executive Chef of Sandals Negril to begin!

What you need for 6 servings

Ingredients

½ cup julienned pumpkin
½ tablespoon whole allspice berries, coarsely cracked
1 medium carrot, julienned
1 small onion, julienned
1 small bell pepper, julienned
2 sprigs scallion, chopped
6 okra pods, sliced
¼ Scotch Bonnet pepper, finely chopped (optional)
2 garlic cloves, crushed
1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme
2 cups coconut milk
Salt & Pepper to taste
6 (5-6 ounce) boneless snapper fillets
6 medium cubes unsalted butter
Aluminum foil

How to make it

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
2. In a mixing bowl, combine all ingredients except fish fillets and butter, and mix well. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Set aside.
3. Fold foil into six double-layered 8” square sheets.
4. Season fish fillets with salt & pepper and place one fillet in the center of each sheet of foil.
5. Top each fillet with the vegetable and coconut milk mixture, and place one cube of butter atop each portion of fish and vegetables.
6. Bring two sides of the foil together and fold down to seal the fish into a tight packet. Fold the two remaining ends over the top of the packet so that the coconut milk stays inside.
7. Bake for 15-20 minutes without turning. Remove from the oven and place on a plate, open the foil packet and serve in the foil.
   
   

Chef’s Note: This can also be cooked on a grill. Simply lay the foil packets on the grill over medium heat and cook for the same amount of time. This recipe is great on its own, but is excellent when served with festivals, bammies or steamed rice.

The history of cooking in foil

Cooking in foil is a technique that has been around for years. In countries like Italy and France, this cooking style was common in times past, and still is in some places. In France, you’ll hear this being referred to as “en papillote” which translates to “in paper”, while in Italian, it’s referred to as “al cartoccio”.

Now, we know the French and the Italians know a thing or two about cooking, and we’re certain that this cooking style’s popularity in these territories, and around the world, is because of how consistently succulent the end result is. The cooking method also has a conveniently quick turnaround time too. Without adding the prep time, it’ll take about 15-20 minutes to cook your fish in foil. This can vary depending on the type of fish you use, so keep an eye on it if you choose to use a different fish, other than the one recommended.

Dig in and enjoy!

Presentation wise, there’s something exciting about unwrapping fish that’s been neatly wrapped up and cooked in foil. Once it’s served and on your plate, you probably won’t be able to hold back from savoring this simple and hearty meal. The best fish in foil is cooked up with tasty vegetables and served alongside some of our chef’s recommendations above. If all else fails, perhaps it’s time to start planning your next trip to Sandals all-inclusive resort in Negril, so you can taste this recipe cooked by the original master chef!