Salt baked fish

By altschiller

Ingredients

• 3 pounds kosher salt
• 6 large rosemary sprigs
• 10 thyme sprigs
• 4 bay leaves
• One 2 1/2-pound whole 
dorade or red snapper with scales, gutted
• 2 tablespoons Spanish extra-virgin olive oil
• Flaky sea salt, for serving

Details

Adapted from foodandwine.com

Preparation

Step 1

Ingredients

3 pounds kosher salt


6 large rosemary sprigs 


10 thyme sprigs


4 bay leaves


One 2 1/2-pound whole 
dorade or red snapper with scales, gutted 


2 tablespoons Spanish extra-virgin olive oil


Flaky sea salt, for serving


How to Make It

Step 1    

Preheat the oven to 400°. Line a large rimmed baking sheet with foil or parchment paper. In a large bowl, mix the kosher salt with 1/2 cup of water until it resembles moist sand. Strip the leaves from half of the rosemary and thyme sprigs and mix into the bowl along with 2 of the bay leaves. 


Step 2    

Spread half of the salt mixture in the center of the baking sheet and place the remaining rosemary and thyme sprigs and bay leaves on top. Lay the fish on the mound, then cover with the remaining salt mixture, lightly packing it to completely cover the fish.


Step 3    

Bake the fish for 35 minutes, until an instant-read thermometer inserted into it registers 135°. Remove from the oven and let stand for 5 minutes. 


Step 4    

Crack the top salt crust and discard it. Remove and discard the skin from the top of the fish and, using a fish spatula, carefully transfer the top fillet to a platter. Flip the fish over and repeat the process. Drizzle with the olive oil and sprinkle with flaky sea salt. Serve.

How to Make It

Step 1    

Preheat the oven to 400°. Line a large rimmed baking sheet with foil or parchment paper. In a large bowl, mix the kosher salt with 1/2 cup of water until it resembles moist sand. Strip the leaves from half of the rosemary and thyme sprigs and mix into the bowl along with 2 of the bay leaves. 


Step 2    

Spread half of the salt mixture in the center of the baking sheet and place the remaining rosemary and thyme sprigs and bay leaves on top. Lay the fish on the mound, then cover with the remaining salt mixture, lightly packing it to completely cover the fish.


Step 3    

Bake the fish for 35 minutes, until an instant-read thermometer inserted into it registers 135°. Remove from the oven and let stand for 5 minutes. 


Step 4    

Crack the top salt crust and discard it. Remove and discard the skin from the top of the fish and, using a fish spatula, carefully transfer the top fillet to a platter. Flip the fish over and repeat the process. Drizzle with the olive oil and sprinkle with flaky sea salt. Serve.