Whole Trout en Papillote

• 2 whole trout, dressed
• Salt and pepper
• 1/2 cup sliced sweet onion
• 2 handfuls fresh herbs (thyme, parsley and rosemary)
• 3 tablespoons lemon-shallot butter, recipe follows
• 1 lemon, sliced
• 2 tablespoons dry white wine
• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
• Parchment paper

Lemon-Shallot Butter

• 1 stick of unsalted butter, softened
• 1 lemon, zest finely minced
• 1 small shallot, finely minced
• Salt and pepper

Directions

Lemon-Shallot Butter

1. In a food processor, combine all ingredients until mixed.
2. Place whipped butter mixture onto a sheet of plastic wrap and roll into a log.
3. Freeze until ready to use. Butter will keep in the freezer for at least a month.

Trout en Papillote

1. Preheat oven to 400° F. Cut 2 sheets of parchment paper large enough to completely cover the fish when folded.
2. Wash and dry the trout. Using a knife, score the fish on 1 side by cutting slits into the flesh just until you feel the bone. Season the trout generously, inside and out with salt and pepper.
3. Spread 1/4 cup of the onions on each sheet of parchment.
4. Place fish on top, scored side up. Stuff the inside of the fish with herbs. (It's ok if they stick out a bit).
5. Top each fish with 1 1/2 tablespoons of the shallot butter.
6. Cover with the lemon slices.
7. Drizzle 1 tablespoon white wine and 1/2 tablespoon olive oil over each fish.
8. Fold the parchment over the fish. Starting at 1 end, fold the paper on itself, making sure to completely seal it. At the end, fold it underneath itself. Repeat for your other fish. Here's a Video of Gordon Ramsey making fish en papillote; he uses 2 sheets of parchment, but the technique is the same for one sheet folded in half.
9. Place packet on large baking sheet and cook for 12 to 15 minutes or until fish is cooked through. Figure 10 minutes per inch of thickness of the fish at the widest spot.
10. To serve, place trout en papillote on a platter. Let each person cut the parchment at the table to ensure that all the aromas stay inside the package.