Ingredients:
- 1 whole sea bass (approximately 2 to 3 pounds)
- 4 cups kosher salt
- 4 egg whites
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- A handful of fresh herbs (such as thyme, rosemary, or dill)
- Lemon wedges for serving
Instructions:
Step 1: Prepare the Sea Bass
Clean the sea bass thoroughly, ensuring that all scales and entrails are removed. Rinse it under cold water and pat dry with paper towels.
Step 2: Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
Step 3: Create the Salt Crust Mixture
In a large bowl, combine the kosher salt and egg whites. Mix them together until the salt becomes moist and holds its shape when squeezed.
Step 4: Coat the Sea Bass
On a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, spread half of the salt crust mixture into a thin layer slightly larger than the size of the sea bass. Place the sea bass on top and coat it with olive oil. Fill the cavity of the sea bass with fresh herbs.
Step 5: Encase the Sea Bass in Salt Crust
Use the remaining salt crust mixture to evenly cover the sea bass. Press the salt crust firmly to create a solid, protective casing.
Step 6: Bake the Sea Bass
Place the baking sheet with the sea bass into the preheated oven. Bake for approximately 25 to 30 minutes, or until the salt crust turns golden brown.
Step 7: Remove the Salt Crust
Remove the baking sheet from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes. Use a knife or metal spoon to crack open the salt crust and carefully remove the crust pieces from the fish.
Step 8: Serve and Enjoy
Transfer the sea bass to a serving platter and garnish with fresh herbs and lemon wedges. Serve immediately while it’s still hot.
Now that you know how to cook sea bass with a salt crust, it’s time to impress your family and friends with this delightful recipe. The combination of the salt crust’s crunchy exterior and the moist, tender flesh of the sea bass is simply irresistible. So, give it a try and let us know how it turns out!