WHOLE BRANZINO ROASTED IN SALT

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Whole Branzino Roasted in Salt image

Provided by Bruce Aidells

Categories     Salad     Egg     Fish     Olive     Bake     Roast     Bass     Celery     Cucumber     Arugula     Parsley     Capers     Bon Appétit

Yield Makes 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 16

Fish
1 3-pound box coarse kosher salt
5 (or more) large egg whites
2 1- to 1 1/2-pound whole branzino, loup de mer, or sea bass, gutted
8 fresh parsley sprigs
2 fresh thyme sprigs
4 thin lemon slices
Salsa verde
1 lemon
1/4 cup finely diced celery
1/4 cup finely diced cucumber
1/4 cup finely chopped fresh parsley
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons drained small capers
2 tablespoons sliced pitted brine-cured green olives (such as picholine)
3 cups arugula

Steps:

  • For fish:
  • Preheat oven to 400°F. Stir salt and 5 egg whites in large bowl, adding more egg whites as needed to form grainy paste. Press 1/4-inch layer of salt mixture (large enough to hold both fish) onto large rimmed baking sheet. Stuff cavity of each whole fish with half of herb sprigs and lemon slices. Place fish atop salt mixture on baking sheet. Pack remaining salt mixture over fish to enclose completely. Roast until thermometer inserted into thickest part of fish registers 135°F, about 20 minutes. Let stand 10 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, prepare salsa verde:
  • Using small sharp knife, remove peel and white pith from lemon. Working over bowl, cut between membranes to release segments. Cut each segment into 3 pieces. Add lemon pieces and next 6 ingredients to bowl.
  • Using back of large spoon, gently crack open salt crust on fish. Lift and discard salt layer. Pull skin from top of 1 fish. Carefully lift top fillet from bones and transfer to plate. Lift and discard bones. Gently lift second fillet from skin and transfer to second plate. Repeat with second fish for a total of 4 plates.
  • Spoon salsa verde over fish, leaving juices in bowl. Add arugula to bowl; toss to coat. Divide among plates.

Maame Aba Beeduwa
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This recipe is a keeper!


Rs Roton
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I've tried this recipe a few times now and it's always a success.


Princess Diana
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This recipe is easy to follow and the fish comes out delicious. I love the crispy skin and the flaky flesh.


Nazar Ali
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I've made this recipe several times now and it's always a hit. The fish is always cooked perfectly and the salt crust adds a wonderful flavor.


Irfan ali Talpur
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This was an excellent recipe! The fish was cooked perfectly and the salt crust added a delicious flavor. I will definitely be making this again.


Hassan Pinku
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This recipe is a winner! The fish was cooked to perfection and the salt crust was the perfect touch. I highly recommend this recipe to anyone who loves fish.


Darlington Nyanneh
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I've never made branzino before, but this recipe made it easy. The fish was cooked perfectly and the salt crust added a wonderful flavor. I will definitely be making this again.


Blaine “LipRipnPayne” Payne
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This recipe is easy to follow and the fish comes out delicious. I love the crispy skin and the flaky flesh. I've made it several times now and it's always a hit.


Peter Grace
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This is a great recipe for branzino. The fish is cooked perfectly and the salt crust adds a delicious flavor. I would definitely recommend this recipe to anyone who loves fish.


Hello Sir
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I made this recipe for a dinner party and it was a huge hit. The fish was cooked perfectly and the salt crust added a wonderful flavor. I highly recommend this recipe.


Amir Umair
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This recipe was easy to follow and the fish came out delicious. The salt crust was a great way to keep the fish moist and flavorful. I will definitely be making this again.


Waseem Badami
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I've tried this recipe a few times now and it's always a success. The branzino is always cooked perfectly and the salt crust adds a wonderful flavor. I highly recommend this recipe!


Chinedu John (Chinedu john)
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This was an excellent recipe! The fish was cooked to perfection and the salt crust added a delicious flavor. I highly recommend this recipe to anyone who loves fish.


Amir Abbas
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This recipe is a keeper! The fish was flaky and flavorful, and the salt crust was the perfect touch. I will definitely be making this again.


Mutshutshudzi Raphalalani
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I love this recipe! The branzino is always cooked perfectly and the salt crust adds a wonderful flavor. I've made it for dinner parties and potlucks and it's always a hit.


Charlotte Ekpaloba
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This was my first time cooking branzino and I was really happy with the results. The recipe was easy to follow and the fish came out delicious. The salt crust was a great way to keep the fish moist and flavorful.


Jubilee Achufusi
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I've made this recipe several times now and it never disappoints. The fish always comes out perfectly cooked and the salt crust is a great way to add flavor. I highly recommend this recipe for anyone who loves branzino.


Rebekha Zelalem
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This recipe was an absolute delight! The branzino came out perfectly cooked, with crispy skin and flaky flesh. The salt crust added a wonderful flavor and kept the fish moist. I served it with roasted vegetables and a simple sauce, and it was a hit w