Gift Packages

Gift packages, sometimes also referred to by the French term “paupiettes” or “papillote” when cooked in parchment, are rolls of meat or fish that enclose a flavorful filling. They can be made with various types of meat such as veal, chicken, or fish like sea bass or salmon, and the filling can vary widely.

Here I present an Italian version of gift packages, using meat as an example.

Ingredients

• 4 thin slices of meat (veal or beef)
• 4 slices of prosciutto crudo
• 4 slices of cheese (fontina or scamorza)
• Sage
• Rosemary
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Salt and pepper
• Meat broth or white wine for cooking

Preparation

1. Lay out the slices of meat and pound them lightly if necessary to ensure they are thin enough.
2. Season the meat with salt and pepper on both sides.
3. Place a slice of prosciutto and a slice of cheese on each slice of meat.
4. Add a sage leaf and a bit of chopped rosemary.
5. Roll the meat around the filling to form tight little packages.
6. Secure the gift packages with toothpicks or kitchen twine to prevent them from opening during cooking.
7. Heat the oil in a pan and sear the gift packages on all sides until they are nicely golden.
8. Add a little hot broth or white wine, cover, and simmer over low heat for about 20 minutes, or until the meat is tender and the cooking liquid has partially reduced.

You can serve your gift packages with a side of vegetables or mashed potatoes. Remember to remove the toothpicks or kitchen twine before serving!

Fun Fact

The term “gift packages” in cooking suggests an elegant presentation and a surprise in the filling, just like unwrapping a real gift. This preparation allows for a wide variety of flavor combinations and is perfect for special occasions.