Salt Crusted Fish

Preheat your oven to 400ºF.

Your fish will need to have its insides and all scales removed (have your butcher do this). Rinse the fish and pat dry. Rub the outside of the fish with olive oil (so it will be easier to remove the salt crust after it bakes). Stuff the fish with your favorite aromatics: herbs, lemons, garlic, shallots, whatever you like!

Next, mix your salt with the egg whites and water. Spread enough of the salt mixture on the baking pan to make a bed to put the fish on, about 1/4” thick. Put the fish on top of the salt bed and make a 1/4” crust around the entire fish.

Roast the fish for 20-30 minutes of until an instant read thermometer reads 135ºF. Remove the fish and let it rest for 5-10 minutes.

Take the back of a metal spoon and tap the salt crust to break it. Next, push the crust to the side so the fish is exposed. Using the spoon, scrape the skin off the top of the fillet and push it to the side. Run the spoon along the spine to separate the meat from the bones and then use a fork or spatula to put the fish on serving plates.

Serve with olive oil and lemon juice. Your guests will love this simple and fun party trick and it will make you look like a cooking genius. The hardest part of this whole process is removing the bones so take your time and it will turn out great!